Waltz
a dance said to have originated in Bohemia, now of almost universal adoption. It is performed by couples, wh who , almost embracing each other, swing round the room with a whirling motion. Also, the music composed for such a dance. The time is of triple measure in crotchets (quarter notes) or quavers (eight notes), and consists of 8 or 16 bar phrases. Modern waltz-writers frequently add to their original dance-form an introduction and coda. The "Vienna" waltz is characterized by a rapid movement and strict unbroken time. Ländler are slower and more dignified than the waltz. "Classical waltzes" are compositions in waltz form intended for set pieces, not for dance tunes. In them greater scope is given to the composer and performer compatible with the rhythm of than is co the dance.
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Wanamaker
JOHN, an American merchant; born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 11, 1838; began his career as an errand boy in a bookstore; was afterward employed as a retail clothing salesman; and in 1861 established, with Nathan B Brown, the clothing house of Wanamaker & Brown, own, in Philadelphia. Ph In 1876 he founded a large department store in that city and subsequently converted the A. T. Stewart building on Broadway, New York, into a similar store. In 1889-1893 he was Postmaster- General. He was long active in religious work, and early founded the Bethany Presbyterian Sunday-school, in Philadelphia, which soon became one of the largest in the United States.
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Wanamaker, John
John (1838-), an American merchant. He was born in Philadelphia. He received an ordinary common school education. At the age of fourteen he began to acquire experience as an errand boy in a store. In 1861 he formed a partnership with a brother-in-law under the name of Wanamaker & Brown, and established a clothing store. Later the firm became known as John Wanamaker & Co. The firm added one line of goods after another until "Wanamaker's" became a feature of Philadelphia and was regarded as the most noted department store in America. Mr. Wanamaker was a believer in advertising. He is reputed to have paid the Philadelphia dailies yearly from $50,000 to $75,000 apiece for advertising, the price being $1,000 for a full page advertisement. Mr. Wanamaker was an active man in church work and a promoter of the Y. M. C. A. In politics he was a Republican, but was opposed to machine rule. He served as a presidential elector in 1888 and was postmaster-general in President Harrison's cabinet. He favored taking over the telegraph system. In 1896 Mr. Wanamaker engaged in the retail trade in New York City, opening up in the store building formerly occupied by A. T. Stewart. Later he built a model department building intimately connected with the subway system. Wandering Jew. See Sue ; Eugene
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Wanderoo
WANDERU, in or zoology, the Macacus silenus, from the S. of Hindustan, especially the country bordering the Malabar coast. It is about 2 feet in length, tail 10 to 12 inches. The wanderoos have long, slim bodies, covered with black hair, tail of the same color, tufted. The head looks very large, because of a mane, or ruff, and beard which sticks out round the face. This mass of long hair is either gray or white, and adds to the sly look of the broad face, soft dull eyes, and broad muzzle. Also, any species of the genus Semnopithecus. S. ursinus is the great wanderoo.
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Wapenshaw
wop-in-shaw, a Scottish term meaning literally a weapon show. It was customary in early times for the able-bodied inhabitants of each district to appear at an appointed place well armed. The meet differed from our colonial muster day in that it was held not so much for military exercise as for the purpose of showing their weapons and proving to the satisfaction of their military leader that they were prepared in case of war. Games, wrestling matches, and hilarity were the order of the day. Under the influence of the Covenanters, wapenshaws were discontinued as tending to convivial habits and ungodliness. See Hundreds 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22)
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Wapentake
or WAPENTAC, a name formerly given in some of the N. shires of England, and still retained in Yorkshire, to a territorial division of the county corresponding to the hundred of the S. counties. The word means "weapon-touching" and refers to the custom of the chiefs of a particular district meeting at a certain day at a specified spot, when the head chief alighting from his horse, raised his spear in the air, and the inferior chiefs, also on foot, touched this spear with their lances, and so acknowledged their fealty.
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War
PRISONERS OF, in general persons captured from the enemy during military or naval operations. In former times the entire people of of a vanquished city, state, or nation became the absolute property of the victors; the men were either put to death or with the women and children became slaves. By later usage the combatants or fighting force are the ones commonly considered and treated as prisoners of war. The young, the sick, the aged; Sisters of Charity, physicians, nurses, and others regularly engaged in attending the sick and wounded; clergymen, representatives of the Red Cross and other recognized humane organizations; musicians with an army; and a variety of other people are considered noncombatants, and are exempted from the treatment accorded to captured combatants. The status of prisoners of war, as far as laws, rules, and customs go, is exceedingly complicated. Where it is desired to weaken an enemy by depriving it of its fighting material, a nation may hold its prisoners of war till after peace is declared. In such a case it will place them in more or less large bodies in or near cities where they can be kept under surveillance. During the time they are held they are entitled to food, medical attendance, and necessary clothing. As long as they do not disturb the quiet of the place or plot mutiny or resistance to their guard, they must be treated without violence or harshness.
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