Oct. 8, 1804. See Hayti, in which article particulars will be found up to the independence of St. Domingo, acknowledged by France, in April, 1825. DOMINICA. Discovered by Columbus in his second voyage, in 1493. This island was taken by the British in 1761, and was confirmed to them by the peace of 1763. The French took Dominica in 1778, but restored it at the subsequent peace in 1783. It suffered great damage by a tremendous hurricane in 1806; and several devastating hurricanes have more recently occurred. DOMINICAL LETTER. Noting the Lord's day, or Sunday. The seven days of the week, reckoned as beginning on the 1st of January, are designated as by the first seven letters of the alphabet, A, B, C, D, E, F, G; and the one of these which denotes Sunday is the dominical letter. If the year begin on Sunday, A is the dominical letter; if it begin on Monday, that letter is G; if on Tuesday, it is F, and so on. Generally to find the dominical letter call New Year's day A, the next day B, and go on thus until you come to the first Sunday, and the letter that answers to it is the dominical letter; in leap years count two letters. DOMINICANS. A religious order whose power and influence were almost universal. They were called in France Jacobins, and in England Blackfriars, and were founded by St. Dominick, approved by Innocent III. in 1215; and the order was confirmed by a bull of Honorius III. in 1216, under St. Austin's rules, and the founder's particular constitutions. In 1276 the corporation of London gave them two whole streets by the river Thames, where they erected a large and elegant convent, and whence that part is still called Blackfriars. DONATISTS. An ancient sect of schismatics founded by Donatus, bishop of Carthage, about A.D. 331. The general profession of this sect was an exclusive pretended puritanism.-Hooker. The Donatists held that the Father was above the Son, and the Son above the Holy Ghost; and that there was no virtue in the church, for which reason those of their sect were re-baptised. DOOM'S-DAY OR DOME'S-DAY BOOK. Liber Judiciarius vel Censualis Angliæ. A book of the general survey of England, commenced in the reign of William I. A.D. 1080. The intent of this book was, to be a register whereby to determine the right in the tenure of estates; and from this book the question whether lands be ancient demesne or not, is sometimes still decided. The book is still preserved in the Exchequer, fair and legible, consisting of two volumes, a greater and lesser, wherein all the counties of England, except Northumberland and Durham, are surveyed. It was finished in A.D. 1086, having been completed by five justices. "This dome'sday book was the tax-book of kinge William."-Camden. The taxes were levied according to this survey till 13 Henry VIII. 1522, when a more accurate survey was taken, and was called by the people the new Doom's-day-book. DORCHESTER, BISHOPRIC OF. Founded in A.D. 634. It continued for 460 years. In A.D. 1094, Remigius, its last prelate, transferred it to Lincoln, which see. DORIC ORDER OF ARCHITECTURE. The most ancient of the five, the invention of the Dorians, a people of Greece. The Dorians also gave the name to the Doric muse. The migration of this people to the Peloponnesus took place 1104 B.c. They sent, in their vast spirit of enterprise, many colonies into different places, which afterwards bore the same name as their native country. DORT. Here happened an awful inundation of the sea, A.D. 1446. It arose in the breaking down of the dykes; and in the territory of Dordrecht 10,000 persons were overwhelmed and perished; and more than 100,000 round Dullart, in Friesland and in Zealand. In the last two provinces upwards of 300 villages were overflowed, and the tops of their towers and steeples were for ages after to be seen rising out of the water. Dort is famous for the Protestant synod held in 1618; a general assembly, to which deputies were sent from England, and from all the Reformed churches in Europe, to settle the differences between the doctrines of Luther, Calvin, and Arminius, principally upon points of justification and grace. This synod condemned the tenets of Arminius.-Aitzema. DOUAY, IN FRANCE. Erected into a university by Philip II. of Spain, who founded here the celebrated college of Roman Catholics, A.D. 1569. Douay was taken from the Spaniards by Louis XIV. in person, in 1667. It was taken by the duke of Marlborough, in 1710; and retaken by the French next year. This town gives its name to the Catholic edition of the Bible, which continues in almost universal use by the consent of the successive popes among the members of that communion, as the only authorised version of the Sacred volume; its text being copiously explained by the notes of Catholic divines. DOVE. This bird has been always in great favour with the Eastern nations, and was held sacred in the early ages by many of them. The dove was sent from the ark, and returned 2347, B.C. Fuller, in his History of the Holy War, tells us that at the siege of Jerusalem the Christians intercepted a letter tied to the feet of a dove, in which the Persian emperor promised assistance to the besieged.-Fuller, book cap. xxiv. DOVER. Here Julius Cæsar made his first landing in England, August 26, 55 B.C. Its original castle is said to have been built by him soon after; but this is disputed. The castle was rebuilt and strengthened by Henry II. and rendered impregnable by the towers and works erected in succeeding reigns. The priory was commenced by archbishop Corboyl, or Corbois, about A.D. 1130. At Dover, king John ingloriously resigned his kingdom to Pandolf, the pope's legate, May 13, 1213. The pier was projected by Henry VIII. in 1533. Charles II. landed here from his exile, May 25, 1660. The Foot-barracks were burnt down by an accidental fire, July 30, 1800. A large part of the cliff fell, Nov. 27, 1810. The quantity of land lost by two falls was estimated at six acres. DOWER. The gifts of a husband for a wife.-Genesis xxxiv. 12. The custom is said to be derived from the Germans; and it was a usage among the Saxons, as appears from the laws of king Edmund, by which a widow was entitled to a moiety of her husband's property for her life, A.D. 941. The widows of traitors, but not those of felons, are debarred their dower by statute 5 Edward VI., 1550.-Statutes. DOWN, BISHOPRIC OF. An ancient see, whose first bishop was St. Cailan, in 499. At the instance of John Courcey, the conqueror of Ulster, the cathedral, although previously consecrated to the Trinity, was dedicated to the honour of St. Patrick, about 1183. Christopher Pembridge alleges, in his Annals, that many believed Courcey by this act had drawn on himself that vast train of misfortunes which afterwards befel him. The sepulchre of St. Patrick (who was buried here in 493, in the abbey of Saul, founded by himself) brought this place into great repute. The see was united with that of Connor in 1441; it is valued in the king's books, 15 James I., at 251. per ann.-See Connor. The cathedral of Downpatrick was destroyed by lord Grey, lord deputy of Ireland, for which, and other crimes, he was impeached, and beheaded, in 1541.-Beatson. DRACO, LAws of. Draco, when he exercised the office of archon, made a code of laws, which, on account of their severity, were said to be written in letters of blood: by them idleness was punished with as much severity as murder; the smallest transgression, he said, deserved death, and he could not find any punishment more rigorous for more atrocious crimes, 623 B.C.-Sigonius de Repub. Athen. DRAGOONS. The name is supposed to have been derived from dragon, "because mounted on horseback with lighted match he seemeth like a fiery dragon.”—Meyrick's Pref. to Anc. Armour. The DRACONARII were horse soldiers who bore dragons for ensigns. The first regiment of dragoons was raised in England, A.D. 1681. DRAKE'S CIRCUMNAVIGATION. Sir Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth Nov. 13, 1577, and sailing round the globe, returned to England, after many perilous adventures, Nov. 3, 1580. This illustrious seaman was vice-admiral under lord Howard, high admiral of England, in the memorable conflict with the Spanish Armada, July 19, 1588. His expeditions and victories over the Spaniards have been equalled by modern admirals, but not his generosity; for he divided the booty he took in proportional shares with the common sailors, even to wedges of gold given him in return for his presents to Indian chiefs.-Stowe. Rapin. DRAMA. We owe both forms of composition, tragedy and comedy, to the Greeks. The first comedy was performed at Athens, by Susarion and Dolon, on a moveable scaffold, 562 B.C. See Comedy. The chorus was introduced 556 B.C. See Chorus. Tragedy was first represented at Athens, by Thespis, on a waggon, 336 B.C.-Arund. Marb. Thespis of Icaria, the inventor of tragedy, performed at Athens Alcestis, this year, and was rewarded with a goat, 536 B.C.-Pliny. Anaxandrides was the first dramatic poet who introduced intrigues and rapes upon the stage. He composed about a hundred plays, of which ten obtained the prize; he died 340 B.C. DRAMA IN ROME. The drama was first introduced into Rome on occasion of a plague which raged during the consulate of C. Sulpicius Peticus and C. Lucinius Stolo. The magistrates to appease the incensed deities instituted the games called Scenici, which were amusements entirely new. Actors from Etruria danced, after the Tuscan manner, to the flute, 364 B.C. Subsequently came satires accompanied with music set to the flute; and afterwards plays were represented by Livius Andronicus, who, abandoning satires, wrote plays with a regular and connected plot, 240 B.C.-Livy. Andronicus was the first person who gave singing and dancing to two different performers; he danced himself, and gave the singing to a younger exhibitor.-Livy. DRAMA, MODERN. The modern drama arose early in the rude attempts of minstrels and buffoons at fairs in France, Italy, and England.- Warton. Stories from the Bible were represented by the priests, and were the origin of sacred comedy.—Idem. Gregory Nazianzen, an early father of the church, is said to have constructed a drama about A.D. 364, on the Passion of Christ, to counteract the profanities of the heathen stage, and thus to have laid the foundation of the modern romantic drama; but this is not clearly proved. Fitzstephen, in his Life of Thomas à Becket, asserts that "London had for its theatrical exhibitions holy plays, and the representation of miracles, wrought by holy confessors." The Chester Mysteries were performed about 1270. Plays were performed at Clerkenwell by the parish clerks in 1397, and miracles were represented in the fields. Allegorical characters were introduced in the reign of Henry VI. Individual characters were introduced in Henry VII.'s reign. The first regular drama acted in Europe was the "Sophonisba" of Trissino, at Rome, in the presence of pope Leo X., 1515.-Voltaire. The English drama became perfect in the reign of Elizabeth. The first royal license for the drama in England was to master Burbage, and four others, servants to the earl of Leicester, to act plays at the Globe, Bankside, 1574. A license was granted to Shakspeare, and his associates, in 1603. Plays were opposed by the Puritans in 1633, and were afterwards suspended until the Restoration in 1660. Two companies of regular performers were licensed by Charles II., Killigrew's and Davenant's, in 1662. Killigrew's patent bears date April 25, in that year; and sir William Davenant's was regulated same time. The first was at the Bull, Vere-street, Clare-market, which was immediately afterwards removed to Drury-lane; the other in Dorset-gardens. Till this time boys performed women's parts. Sir William Davenant introduced operas, and both companies united, 1684, and continued together till 1694, when a schism under Betterton led to the opening of a theatre in Lincoln's-Inn Fields, 1695, which was the parent of Covent Garden. Act for the revision of plays, and for licensing them previously to being performed, 1737. Authors' Dramatic Copyright Protection Act, 3 William IV., June 1833.-See Covent Garden, Drury-lane, &c. DREAMS. The first who attempted to give an interpretation to dreams, and to draw prognostics from omens, was Amphictyon of Athens, 1497 B.C. Laodice, the mo ther of Seleucus, nine months before his birth, dreamed that Apollo presented her with a precious stone, on which was engraved the figure of an anchor, and commanded her to deliver it to her son as soon as born. It is said, that in the morning she found a ring, answering in description the jewel she had dreamed of; and that not only the son of whom she was then pregnant, but all his successors of the house of the Seleucidæ, had the mark of an anchor on the thigh, 353 B.C. There is scriptural authority for a reliance upon dreams; particularly may be mentioned the dream of Joseph, see Matthew i. 20. In Westminster Abbey are singular records of the dreams of Edward the Confessor; and instances of faith in visions would fill a volume. A remarkable modern instance is attested in the Life of lord Lyttleton: that distinguished nobleman expired three days after a singular dream, in which he was warned of his approaching dissolution, Aug. 22, 1773. DRESDEN. Peace of Dresden, between Saxony, Prussia, and the queen of Hungary, confirming the treaties of Berlin and Breslau, Dec. 25, 1745. Siege of Dresden by the king of Prussia; during which memorable investment he bombarded the town, but was obliged to retire after nine days, 1759. This city has been taken and retaken several times. Battle of Dresden, see next article. Here marshal St. Cyr, and 25,000 French troops, surrendered to the allies, Nov. 6, 1813. Political commotion, the king of Saxony resigns the royal authority, and prince Frederick, his nephew, is declared regent, Sept. 9, et seq. 1830. DRESDEN, BATTLE OF, between the allied army under the prince of Schwarzenberg, and the French army commanded by Napoleon, Aug. 26 and 27, 1813. The allies, who were 200,000 strong, attacked Napoleon in his position at Dresden, and the event had nearly proved fatal to them, but for an error in the conduct of general Vandamme. They were defeated with dreadful loss, and were obliged to retreat into Bohemia; but Vandamme pursuing them too far, his division was cut to pieces, and himself and all his staff made prisoners. In this battle general Moreau received his mortal wound while in conversation with the emperor of Russia. DRESDEN CHINA. The fine porcelain ware known as Dresden china, was discovered by M. Boeticher, who was at the time only an apothecary's boy, 1700. Services of this ware have cost many thousands of pounds each. A costly service, each piece exquisitely painted, and the battles represented, and subjects, all different, was presented to the duke of Wellington, by the king of Prussia, in 1816, and is the finest in England. DRESS. Excess in dress was restrained by a law in England, in the reign of Edward IV., 1465. And again in the reign of Elizabeth, 1574.-Stowe. Sir Walter Raleigh, we are told, wore a white satin-pinked vest, close sleeved to the wrist, and over the body a brown doublet finely flowered, and embroidered with pearls. In the feather of his hat, a large ruby and pearl drop at the bottom of the sprig, in place of a button. His breeches, with his stockings and ribbon garters, fringed at the end, all white; and buff shoes, which on great court days were so gorgeously covered with precious stones, as to have exceeded the value of 66007.; and he had a suit of armour of solid silver, with sword and belt blazing with diamonds, rubies, and pearls. King James's favourite, the duke of Buckingham, could afford to have his diamonds tacked so loosely on, that when he chose to shake a few off on the ground, he obtained all the fame he desired from the pickers-up, who were generally les Dames de la Cour. DROGHEDA. Anciently this town was called Tredagh, and was a place of great importance, having the privilege of coining money. In the reign of Edward VI. an act, yet unrepealed, was passed for the foundation of a university here. Drogheda was besieged several times in the contests between 1641 and 1691. Cromwell took the town by storm, and put the governor, sir A. Aston, and the whole of the garrison, to the sword, Aug. 14, 1649. More than 3000 men, most of them English, perished in this dreadful slaughter, from which one individual only, a lieutenant, escaped. Cromwell also murdered every man, woman, and child, of the citizens that were Irish.-See Boyne. DROMORE, BISHOPRIC OF. Its founder was St. Coleman, descended from a sept of the Arads: he was first bishop, about 556: the cathedral is dedicated to the REDEEMER. By an extent returned 15 Jac. I. this see was valued in the king's books at 501. The see of Dromore is to be united to that of Down, on its next becoming vacant, by statute, 3 and 4 William IV., 1833.-See Bishops. DROWNING, Punishment of. The punishment of death by drowning is very ancient, and was practised by many countries, even by our own. The Britons inflicted death by drowning in a quagmire, before 450 B.C.-Stowe. It was inflicted on eighty intractable bishops near Nicomedia, A.D. 370. It was practised in France under Louis XI., and on the French clergy in 1792, when they were termed Noyades. DROWNING PERSONS. Societies for the recovery of drowning persons were first instituted in Holland, A.D. 1767. The second society is said to have been formed at Milan, in 1768; the third in Hamburg, 1771; the fourth at Paris, in 1772; and the fifth in London, in 1774. Similar societies have been instituted in other countries. The motto of the Royal Humane Society in England is very appropriate :Lateat scintillula forsan-a small spark may lurk unseen. DRUIDS. A celebrated order among the ancient Germans, Gauls, and Britons, who from their veneration for the oak (Drys) were so called. They acted as priests and magistrates; one of them was invested occasionally with supreme authority. In England they were chosen out of the best families, that the dignity of their station, added to that of their birth, might procure them the greater respect. They were versed in sciences; had the administration of all sacred things; were the interpreters of the gods; and supreme judges in all causes. The Druids headed the Britons who opposed Cæsar's first landing, 55 B.C. They were cruelly put to death, defending the freedom of their country against the Roman governor, Suetonius Paulinus, who totally destroyed every mark of Druidism, A.D. 59.-Rowland's Mona Antiqua. DRUM. A martial instrument whose invention is ascribed to Bacchus, who, according to Polyenes, "gave his signals of battle with cymbals and drums." The drum was an oriental invention brought by the Moors into Spain, A.D. 713.-Le Clerc. The braces on the sides, whereby the sound may be rendered louder or slacker, are of later date.-Ashe. In navigation, the drum, or drum-capstan, for weighing anchors, was invented by sir S. Moreland, in 1685.-Anderson. DRUNKARDS. The phrase "Drunk as a lord," arose out of an older proverb, "Drunk as a beggar;" and we are told that it was altered owing to the vice of drunkenness prevailing more among the great of late years. Drunkenness was punished in many of the early nations with exemplary severity. In England, a canon law restrained it in the clergy so early as A.D. 747. Constantine, king of Scots, punished this offence against society with death. He used to say, that a drunkard was but the mimic of a man, and differed from the beast only in shape, A.d. 870. Drunkenress was restrained in the commonalty in England in 975; and by several later laws. DRURY-LANE THEATRE, derives its origin from a cock-pit which was converted into a theatre in the reign of James I. It was pulled down, and rebuilt, and called the Phoenix; and Charles II. granted an exclusive patent to Thomas Killigrew, 25 April, 1662. The actors were the king's servants, and ten of them, who were called gentlemen of the great chamber, had an annual allowance of ten yards of scarlet cloth with a suitable quantity of lace. The theatre, with sixty adjoining houses, was burnt down in 1671; and a new edifice was built in its room by sir Christopher Wren, in 1674. The interior was rebuilt by Mr. Adams, and was re-opened Sept. 23, 1775. The Drury-lane Theatrical Fund was originated by David Garrick, in 1777. In 1791, the whole structure of the theatre was pulled down, and it was rebuilt and opened March 12, 1794. It was totally destroyed by fire, Feb. 24, 1809; and was rebuilt and opened, Oct. 16, 1812.-See Theatres, and Drama. DUBLIN. This city, anciently called Aschcled, built A.D. 140. It obtained its present name from Alpinus, a lord or chief among the Irish, whose daughter, Auliana, having been drowned at the ford where now Whitworth-bridge is built, he changed the name to Auliana, by Ptolemy called Eblana (afterwards corrupted into Dublana), that she might be had in remembrance. Alpinus is the first chief mentioned in history as having made this place his residence, which he did about A.D. 155, when he brought "the then rude hill into the form of a town."-See Ireland. 1173 . 1190 1209 1210 Charter granted by this king Assemblage of Irish princes, who swear Christ Church made a deanery and chap- 1308 1409 . 1500 Lock Hospital opened . 1541 Marine Society . 1749 . 1749 1758 1765 .766 |