Wieliczka
a town in Poland; 9 miles S. E. of C Cracow; famous for its wonderful salt mines, which have been continuously worked since 1250. They consist of seven different levels, or stories, one above the other, connected by intricate passages and flights of steps, and in some places by lofty bridges, measure from E. to W. 12,468 feet, from N. to S. 3,117 feet, and reach their greatest depth at 918 feet. The annual production of salt up to 1872 was 37,000 tons, but since that date it has gone up to 80,000 tons. Several of the disused galleries have been adorned with statues hewn in the rock salt, and two chapels have been excavated, in the larger of which the Mass is celebrated annually on July 3. The chapels were injured by injured by the inundation of 1868. Pop. about 8,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wiertz
ANTON JOSEPH, a Belgian painter; born in Dinant, Belgium, Feb. 22, 1806; studied at Antwerp and Rome. In 1836 he settled in Liège, and in 1848 at artis- Brussels. His original tic ideal was to combine the excellencies of Michael Angelo and Rubens; and his efforts in this direction are visible in his pictures of "The Fight of Greeks and Trojans Round the Dead Body of Patroclus," "The Disobedient Angels," "The Death of St. Denis," "Eve and Satan," "The Flight Into Egypt," and "The Triumph of Christ" some of them very large canvases. As he could not persuade himself to sell such pictures, he maintained himself now and later by painting portraits. About 1848- 1850 he developed a new technical method which he called "Peinture Mate"; and now he began to paint totally different subjects-speculative and mystical pieces, dreams and visions, and the horrible outcome of a morbid imagination-premature burial, suicide, madness, execution, sensations after death. There were genre pictures also which were only eccentric - "Quasimodo," "The Young Witch;" and even pleasing and kindly pictures-"The Maid at Her Toilet," "The Confession"; and he also left some sculptures. In 1850 the state had built for him a large studio in Brussels, and at his death this became, by an arrangement between the state and his heirs, the Musée Wiertz, one of the sights of the city. He died in Brussels, June 18, 1865.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wigan
a municipal and parliamentary borough, Lancashire, England, on the Douglas, 21 miles N. E. of Liverpool. Wigan stands in the center of an extensive coal field, and its manufactures, which are important, consist chiefly of calicoes, fustians, and other cotton goods, linens, checks, cotton twist, etc., besides iron foundries, iron forges, railway car works, iron rolling mills, large breweries, chemical works, and corn and paper mills. Pop. about 90,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wight
wit, an island in the English channel off the south coast of England. It has an area of about 146 square miles. The greater part of the interior is devoted to sheep pastures. The southern coast is noted for a mild, agreeable climate. There are several health resorts. Osborne, near the port of Cowes, was a favorite residence of Queen Victoria. At her death the grounds were presented to the public by her son King Edward VII. Among the antiquities of the island is Carisbrooke Castle, at one time the refuge of the Stuart king, Charles I. Tennyson had a home in the Isle of Wight. See England
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wight (ISLE OF an island off the S)
ISLE OF, an island off the S. coast of England; in the county of Hants; separated from the mainland by Spithead and the Solent; 23 miles in length, 13 miles broad; area, 93,341 The main slope of the island is acres. to the N., as is shown by the course of its chief streams, the Medina, Yar, and Eastern Yar. A range of chalk downs, which cross the island from E. to W. and form excellent sheep walks, separate it into two districts somewhat different in character. The general appearance is picturesque, and the geology of the island is interesting. The air is remarkably mild, and the district known as the Undercliff, lying along the S. coast, and completely sheltered from the N., has long been a resort for invalids. The Isle of Wight is represented in Parliament by one member. The chief towns are Newport (the capital), Ryde, Cowes, Ventnor, Bembridge, Freshwater, Yarmouth, and the fashionable health resorts of Sandown and Shanklin. Near Cowes is Osborne House, which was a favorite residence of Queen Victoria. Carisbrooke Castle is an interesting ruin. Pop. about 85,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wight (ISLE OF she studied)
ISLE OF she studied the kindergarten system in Los Angeles; later, she taught a year in Santa Barbara College; then went to San Francisco, where she organized the first free kindergarten in the West. In 1880 she organized the California Kindergarten Training School, with her sister Nora A. Smith, and Mrs. S. B. Cooper. In 1880 she married S. B. Wiggin, a lawyer, and they moved to New York, where Mr. Wiggin died in 1889. In 1895 Mrs. Wiggin married George C. Riggs. She wrote many stories and kindergarten, books and forestkinderen among them being "The Story of Pa aristmas Carol," "Polly "The Birds' Christmas Oliver's Problem," "The Story Hour," and "Kindergarten Principles and Practice." Her novels, which attained wide popularity, include "Penelope's Progress," and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." She received the degree of Litt. D. from Bowdoin College.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wigwag
The wigwag is used for polishing the shoulders of pinions, pinion leaves, staffs and pivots, and for numerous other operations. The formation of these tools differ according to the ideas of the various makers, but in principle they are alike. These tools are used extensively in all the American watch factories.
Only in American Watchmaker and Jeweler
Wilberforce
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: ET 2026-07-22) WILLIAM, an English philanthropist; born in Hull, England, Aug. 24, 1759. After completing his education at St. John's College, Cambridge, he was, in 1780, elected to Parliament for his native town; and in 1784 he was returned by the county of York. In 1786 he made the acquaintance of Clarkson, who gained his sympathies on behalf of the agitation against the slave trade. In 1791 he moved for leave to bring in a bill to prevent further importation of African negroes into Cre the British colonies. Year after year he pressed this measure, but was always defeated till 1807, when it was passed during the short administration of Fox. He then devoted his energies to bring about the total abolition of slavery, and three days before his death he was informed that the House of Commons had passed a bill which extinguished slavery in the British colonies. He died in Cadogan Place, London, July 29, 1833.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia