Tartan
tar'tan, or Plaid, cloth woven in a checkered pattern. The checks are produced by bands of different colors running side by side in both the warp and weft. It is, in all probability, the most ancient form of ornamental weaving. The Highlanders were noted for tartans produced from the long wool of the Highland sheep. A shepherd never thought of taking to the hills without a shepherd's plaid or blanket. It served him both as tent and cloak. Each clan had its own pattern. The Campbells for instance, could be told from the MacGregors by their tartans. In time of warfare the clan tartan served as a sort of uniform. See Highlands ; Bagpipe
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tartarus, Thisbe, Triton & Triumviri
Tartarus One of the regions of hell, where, according to Vergil, the souls of those who were exceptionally depraved were punished. Thisbe A beautiful girl of Babylon, beloved by Pyramus. Triton A sea deity, son of Neptune and Amphitrite. He was very powerful, and could calm the sea and abate storms at his pleasure. Triumviri Three magistrates appointed to govern the Roman state with absolute power.
Only in 1000 Classical Characters
Tartary
properly TATARY, the name under which, in the Middle Ages, was comprised the whole central belt of central Asia and eastern Europe, from the Sea of Japan to the Dnieper, including Manchuria, Mongolia, Chinese Turkestan, Independent Turkestan, the Kalmuck and Kirghiz steppes, and the old khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and the Crimea, and even the Cossack countries; and hence arose a distinction of Tartary into European and Asiatic. But latterly the name Tartary had a much more limited signification, including only Chinese Turkestan and Western Turkestan. It took its name from the Tatars or TARTARS (q. v.).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Tartuffe
tar-tuf', a religious hypocrite in Moliere's comedy of Tartuffe. The French tragedian has drawn his character so well that "Tartuffism" has become a general name for the practices of a hypocrite. See Moliere
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tashkend
or TASHKENT, the capital of Russian Turkestan; 300 miles N. E. of Samarcand; on a small river which empties itself into the Syr-Daria or Jaxartes. It consists of an ancient walled city and a new European quarter with broad streets bordered by canals and avenues of trees. The Russian citadel lies a little to the S. There are extensive military stores, official buildings, Russian schools of all grades, an observatory and geographical society, Russian and Kirghiz newspapers, and a brisk trade with Russia and other parts of Central Asia. It is connected with the European system of telegraphs, and has manufactures of silk, leather, felt goods, and coarse porcelain. Once capital of a separate khanate, Tashkend was in 1810 conquered by Khokand, and since 1865 has been Russian. Pop. about 272,000. See TURKESTAN.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Tasman
ABEL JANSZOON, a Dutch navigator; born probably in Hoorn, about 1600. Commissioned by Van Diemen, the governor of the Dutch Indies, to explore the S. coast of the Australian continent, he left Batavia with two ships, Aug. 14, 1642; passed Mauritius Oct. 8, and on Nov. 24 discovered a coast which he called Van Diemen's Land, but which is now known as Tasmania. He sailed along its S. and E. coasts without being aware of its insular character, and proceeding further E. discovered (Dec. 13' the S. island of New Zealand (Jan. 6) the Fiji Islands, Fiji Islands, returning to Batavia June 15, 1643. His account of this voyage was reprinted at Amsterdam in 1722. On Jan. 29, 1644, he set out on a second voyage to explore the coasts of New Guinea and Australia, from which he never returned.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Tasman Sea
a name given to that part of the Pacific inclosed by Australia and Tasmania on the one side, and New Zealand and smaller islands on the other.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Tasmanian Wolf
a flesh-eating, pouched animal of Tasmania. It is remotely related to the American opossum. It has the general appearance and, we may add, the disposition of a wolf. The muzzle is pointed. The tail is long and tapering but not prehensile. The fur is dark and, in general, a grayish brown with black stripes across the back. This animal is strong, fleet, and cunning. In the daytime it skulks away in rocky regions or hides in caverns. At night it prowls about and attacks flocks, creating havoc among the sheep. Shepherds dread the raids of this "wolf," and have nearly extirpated it.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tasso, Torquato
Torquato (1544-1595), a celebrated Italian poet. He was born at Sorrento, Italy, March 11, 1544, and died at Rome, April 25, 1595. He was educated by the Jesuits at Naples and Rome and studied law at Padua. Obtaining his father's consent to abandon law, he pursued his literary studies at the University of Bologna. His is one of the great names in Italian literature . His chief work is Jerusalem Delivered, an epic poem, celebrating the heroic deeds of the First Crusaders. He was attached to the household of various princely patrons, but became the prey of delusions, one of which was that he was an unpardonable heretic. In 1578 he was placed in an insane asylum, but was subsequently released. Goethe's German tragedy of Tasso is based on a story current to the effect that Tasso was shut up, not for insanity, but because he aspired to the hand of a certain duke's sister. Like many other poets, he led a troublous, passionate life and died unhappy. His portraits represent a dark, slender, intellectual, but rather restless man, wearing a rich habit. See Tancred ; Crusades ; Epic
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tassoni
ALESSANDRO, an Italian poet; born in Modena in 1565; studied law in Bologna and Ferrara; became secretary of Cardinal Colonna in 1597; and accompanied him to Spain in 1600. In 1612 he entered the service of Carlo Emanuele of Savoy, for whom he had a high regard, but he was soon forced by the intrigues of his political enemies to give up his post. In 1626 he obtained the office of secretary to Cardinal Lodovisio, and after the cardinal's death was appointed in 1632 chamberlain to Francis I. of Modena. By his hostile "Considerazioni sopra le Rime del Petrarca" Iodena, 1609) he acquired the name his "Pensieri of "Petrarchomastix"; in Diversi" (Rome, 1612) he made a similar attack on Homer and Aristotle, and maintained that in everything-in in the literature as well as in science moderns had the pre-eminence; and in the "Secchia Rapita" (Paris, 1622), a mockheroic poem ostensibly describing the contest that arose from the rape of a Bolognese bucket by the people of Modena, he treats everything ancient as old-fashioned, and indulges in hilarious but cynical mockery of the general round of human life. His patriotism was severely wounded by the encroachments of the Spanish power, and in his "Filippiche" (Lat. ed. 1878), and his "Manifesto" (1855), he laments the decay of Italian independence. He died in Modena in 1635. The "Secchia Rapita" is his most popular work; it is regularly reprinted from time to time.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia