Vekplanck
GULIAN CROM- MELIN, an American author; born in New York City, in 1786. He published anonymously in 1819 a brilliant satirical work, entitled: "The State of Triumvirate." In 1825 he was elected to Congress, and published, 1827-1830, conjointly with William Cullen Bryant and Robert C. Sands, a mi miscellany entitled "The Talisman." Among his other works are his address before the New York_Historical Society entitled "The Early European Friends of America" (1818); "Essays on the Nature and Uses of the Evidences of Revealed Religion" (1824); and "Discourses and Addresses on Subjects of American History, Art, and Literature" (1833). In 1846 he brought out his edition of Shakespeare, with notes, esteemed one of the best that had ever appeared. He died in New York City, March 18, 1870.
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Vela
VINCENZO, a Swiss sculptor; born in Ligornetto, Switzerland, in 1822; learned the trade of stone cutting; but in 1836 turned his attention to drawing. In 1847 he settled in Rome, and in 1848 was a volunteer in the Italian army during the war against Austria. He later removed to Turin and became celebrated by his statues. His works include: "Christ Raising the Daughter of Jairus"; "A Prayer"; "Spartacus"; "Harmony in Tears" (1855); "France and Italy" (1863); "Columbus and America"; "The Last Days of Napoleon"; "Spring"; etc. He was made an officer of the Legion of Honor in 1867. He died in Bellinzona, Ticino, Oct. 3, 1891.
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Velazquez
DIEGO DE, a Spanish explorer; born in Cuellar, Spain, about 1460; accompanied Columbus to Española in 1493, and there distinguished himself in the wars against the Indians and amassed a fortune. In 1511 Diego Columbus appointed him to conduct an expedition against Cuba, and in the latter part of the year he landed on the E. shore at the head of 300 troops. He quickly conquered Hatuey the cacique, and put Panifilo de Narvaez, his lieutenant, in active command. The unarmed natives were soon overcome, and subjected to slavery, in which they soon perished. Later Velazquez established Matanzas, Trinidad, Santiago, and other places. In 1517 he joined Cordova in an expedition after slaves and they discovered Yucatan. Soon after, on learning of the rich Aztec empire, he fitted out an expedition for its conquest and placed CORTEZ (q. v.) in command. When the latter had reached the site of Vera Cruz he took independent command. Pafilo de Narvaez was sent to capture him in 1520, but was defeated. Velásquez died in Havana in 1522 or 1523.
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Veleda
A prophetess among the ancient Germans, of whom Tacitus says: "She exercises a great authority, for women have been held here from the most ancient times to be prophetic, and, by excessive superstition, as divine. The fame of Veleda stood on the very highest elevation, for she foretold to the Germans a prosperous issue, but to the legions their destruction! Veleda dwelt upon a high tower, whence messengers were dispatched bearing her oracular counsels to those who sought them; but she herself was rarely seen, and none was allowed to approach her. Cercalis is said to have secretly begged her to let the Romans have better success in war. The Romans, as well as those of her own race, set great store on her prophecies, and sent her valuable gifts. In the reign of the Emperor Vespasian she was honoured as a goddess." 66
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Velletri
a town of central Italy, in the province of Rome; picturesquely situated on a spur of the Alban Hills, near the Pontine Marshes; 26 miles S. E. of Rome. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ostia, and has a cathedral (San Clemente), a classical school, a technical school, and several fine palaces. On March 19, 1849, Velletri was the scene of a defeat of the Neapolitan troops by the Roman Republicans under Garibaldi. Pop. about 20,000.
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Vellore
the most populous town of the district of North Arcot, Madras presidency, British India; near the left bank of the Palar river; 80 miles W. of Madras. The old fort, which was formerly very strongly garrisoned, now contains only a single regiment of native infantry. Inside there is a pagoda with beautiful stone carvings. A central jail has lately been built for 1,000 long-term prisoners, where excellent carpets, rugs, etc., are manufactured. Vellore was the scene of a mutiny in 1806, when the native Sepoys rose and murdered 113 European officers and soldiers. The outbreak was promptly suppressed. It was supposed to have been instigated by the sons of Tippoo Sultan, who had been confined in the fort as State prisoners since 1799. They were forthwith removed to the neighborhood of Calcutta, where the last survivor died in 1875. Pop. about 50,000.
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Velocipede
. See Bicycle
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Veltis
An evil spirit who assaulted St. Margaret but was overcome by her. On being asked by St. Margaret who he was and whence he came, he replied: My name is Veltis, and I am one of those whom Solomon by virtue of his spells, confined in a copper cauldron at Babylon; but when the Babylonians, in the hope of finding treasure dug up the cauldron and opened it, we all made our escape. Since that time our efforts have been directed to the destruction of righteous persons; and I have long been striving to turn thee from the course thou hast embraced."
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Velveteen
a cotton pile fabric heavier than velvet but similar to it in appearance. Velveteen is in reality woven by a different method. Velveteen is produced by two systems of wefts instead of two systems of warps. The extra pile is inserted between plain-woven ground wefts and is firmly bound in at intervals. The loose or "floating" portions are slit by the cutter. The fabric goes through elaborate finishing processes, especially when it is to be dyed black. The operations employed give it a "blush" or violet cast which adds to its richness. See Weaving ; Velvet
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Venable
FRANCIS PRESTON, an American chemist; born in Prince Edward co., Va., Nov. 17, 1856; was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1879, and studied at the Universities of Bonn, Göttingen, and Berlin successively , 1881, and 1889. In 1900 in 1879-1880 he was made president of the University of North Carolina and its Professor of Chemistry. His publications include: "Manual of Qualitative Analysis" (1883); "Short History of Chemistry" (1894); "Development of Periodic Law" (1896); "Inorganic nic Chemistry According to Periodic Law" (with Prof. James Lewis Howe, 1898); "Study of the Atom" (1904).
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