Page images
PDF
EPUB

ELPHIN. St. Patrick founded a cathedral near this place, "by a river issuing from two fountains," in the fifth century, and placed over it St. Asicus, whom he created bishop, and who soon after filled it with monks. After many centuries, and a little before the arrival of the English, this see was enriched with large estates, upon the translation of Roscommon to it. Ardcarn, Drumclive, and others of less note, were also annexed to Elphin; and by these unions, it became, at length, one of the richest in all Ireland. It is valued in the king's books, by an extent returned 28 Elizabeth, at 1037. 18s. sterling.

ELY. A church was built here by Etheldra, queen of Egfrida, king of Northumberland, who founded also a religious house, and planted it with virgins, and became first abbess herself. The Danes ruined the latter; but the monastery was rebuilt and filled with monks, on whom king Edgar and many succeeding monarchs bestowed great privileges, and made grants of land; so that, in process of time, the abbey of Ely became the richest in England. Richard, the eleventh abbot, wishing to free himself from the bishop of Lincoln, within whose diocese the monastery was situated, made great interest with Henry I. to get Ely erected into a bishopric. His successor was the first prelate, A.D. 1109. It is valued in the king's books at 21341. 18s. 5d. EMBALMING. The ancient Egyptians believed that their souls, after many thousand years, would come to reinhabit their bodies, in case these latter were preserved entire. Hence arose their practice of embalming the dead. The Egyptian manner of preserving the dead has been the admiration and wonder of modern times. They rendered the body not only incorruptible, but it retained its full proportion of size, symmetry of features, and personal likeness. They called the embalmed bodies mummies, some of which, buried 3000 years ago, are perfect to this day. The art of such embalming is now lost. When Nicodemus came, with Joseph of Arimathea, to pay the last duties to our Saviour after his crucifixion, he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to embalm his body.—John xix. 38.

EMBARGO. This power is vested in the crown, but is rarely exercised except in extreme cases, and sometimes as a prelude to war. The most memorable instances of embargo were those for the prevention of corn going out of the kingdom in 1766; and for the detention of all Russian, Danish, and Swedish ships in the several ports of the kingdom, owing to the armed neutrality, Jan. 14, 1801.-See Armed Neutrality. EMBER WEEKS. Observed in the Christian church in the third century, to implore the blessing of God on the produce of the earth by prayer and fasting. EMBER DAYS, three of which fall in these weeks, and in which penitents sprinkle the ashes (embers) of humiliation on their heads. Four times in each year were appointed for these acts of devotion, so as to answer to the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

EMBROIDERY. Its invention is usually ascribed to the Phrygians; but we learn from Homer, and other ancient authors, that the Sidonians particularly excelled in this decorative species of needle-work. Of this art very early mention is made in the Scriptures. Exodus xxxv. 35, and xxxviii. 23. An ancient existing specimen of beautiful embroidery is the Bayeux tapestry, worked by Matilda, the queen of William I. of England.-See Bayeux Tapestry.

EMERALD. The precious stone of a green colour is found in the East and in Peru; inferior ones in other places. It has been alleged that there were no true emeralds in Europe before the conquest of Peru; but there is a genuine emerald in the Paris Museum, taken from the mitre of Pope Julius II. who died in 1513, and Peru was not conquered till 1545; hence it is inferred that this emerald was brought from Africa, or the East.

EMIGRATION. Of late years emigrations from Britain have been considerable. In the ten years ending 1830, the emigrations to our North American colonies, West Indies, Cape of Good Hope, New South Wales, Swan River, Van Diemen's Land, &c. were, according to official returns, 154,291. In the decennial period to 1840, the emigrations advanced to 277,696, exclusively of the vast numbers that preferred settling in the United States of America.

EMINENCE. A spiritual dignity in the Roman states, conferred upon cardinals by a decree of pope Urban VIII., dated January 10, 1630, previously to which time they had the title of Illustrissimi.-Ashe. The grand-master of Malta also obtained this title.-Pardon.

EMIR. A title of dignity among the Turks and Persians, first given to caliphs. This rank was first awarded to the descendants of Mahomet, by his daughter Fatima, about A.D. 650.-Ricaut. To the emirs only was originally given the privilege of wearing the green turban. It is also given to high officers (another title being joined). EMLY. An ancient Irish see, supposed to have been founded by St. Patrick, and formerly endowed with large possessions. Emly was called Imelaca-Ibair; and St. Ailbe was the first bishop in 448: ancient historians mention it as having been, about this time, a great and flourishing city; but Emly is now an inconsiderable village. In 1568, the see was united to the archiepiscopal see of Cashel. EMPALEMENT. This barbarous and dreadful mode of putting criminals to death is mentioned by Juvenal, and was often inflicted in Rome, particularly by the monster Nero. The victim doomed to empalement is spitted through the body on a stake fixed upright; and this punishment is still used in Turkey and Arabia. The dead bodies of murderers were sometimes staked in this manner, previously to being buried, in England.—Southern. Williams (who committed suicide) the murderer of the Marr family, in Ratcliffe Highway, London, Dec. 8, 1811, was staked in his ignominious grave. This practice has been since abolished with us.-See Burying Alive. EMPEROR. Originally a title of honour at Rome, conferred on victorious generals, who were first saluted by the soldiers by that name. Augustus Cæsar was the first Roman emperor, 27 B.C. Valens was the first emperor of the Eastern empire, A.D. 364. Charlemagne was the first emperor of Germany, crowned by Leo III. A.D. 800. Ottoman I., founder of the Turkish empire, was the first emperor of Turkey, 1296. The Czar of Russia was the first emperor of that country, 1722. Don Pedro IV. of Portugal was the first emperor of Brazil, in 1825.

EMPIRICS. They were a set of early physicians who contended that all hypothetical reasoning respecting the operations of the animal economy was useless, and that experience and observation alone were the foundation of the art of medicine. The sect of Empirics was instituted by Acron of Agrigentum, about 473 B.C. ENAMELLING. The origin of the art of enamelling is doubtful. It was practised by the Egyptians and other early nations; and was known in England in the time of the Saxons. At Oxford is an enamelled jewel which belonged to Alfred, and which, as appears by the inscription, was made by his order, in his reign, about A.D. 887. ENCAUSTIC PAINTING, known to the ancients. This very beautiful art, after having been lost, was restored by Count Caylus and M. Bachelier, A.D. 1749. ENCYCLOPÆDIA. The first work to which this designation was expressly given, was that of Abulfaraius, an Arabian writer, in the thirteenth century. Many were published as early as the fifteenth century, but none alphabetically. Chambers' Dictionary was the first of the circle of arts and sciences, in England, first published in 1728.-See Cyclopædia.

ENGHIEN, BATTLE OF, fought by the British under William III. and the French under Marshal Luxemburg, who were victorious, August 3, 1692. William had put himself at the head of the confederated army in the Netherlands, and leagued himself with the Protestant powers upon the Continent against the ambition of Louis XIV. and in the end he triumphed. A victory obtained here by the great Condé, first gave the ducal title to a prince of the house of Bourbon Condé. The duke D'Enghien was shot by torch-light, immediately after condemnation by a military court, at Vincennes, March 20, 1804. The body was exhumed, March 20, 1816. ENGINEERS. This name is of modern date, as engineers were formerly called Trench-masters. Sir William Pelham officiated as trench-master in 1622. The chief engineer was called camp-master-general in 1634. Captain Thomas Rudd had the rank of chief engineer to the king, about 1650. The corps of engineers was formerly a civil corps, but was made a military force, and directed to rank with the artillery, April 25, 1787. It has a colonel-in-chief, and a second, and five colonelcommandants, and twenty colonels. The Association of Civil Engineers was established in 1828.

ENGLAND. See Britain. So named by order of Egbert, first king of England, in a general council held at Winchester, A.D. 829. This appellative had been used as far back as A.D. 688, but had never been, until then, ratified by any assembly of the nation. It came from Angles, a tribe of Saxons, and lond, the Saxon for country.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

* The various occurrences of a remarkable character relating to England, not noticed in this place, will be found under their respective heads through the volume.

1191

Yeomen of the Guard, being the first appearance of a standing army in England, instituted by Henry VII. Henry sells the sovereignty over France to Louis Gardening introduced into England generally, from the Netherlands. Death of prince Arthur

1488

1492

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

1198

1204

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Monarchy re-established in the "Resto-
ration" of Charles II.

1783
George III. becomes deranged, Oct. 12, 1788
He recovers, and goes to St. Paul's to
make thanksgiving
Apr. 23, 1789
First coalition against France. (See
Coalitions)
June 26, 1792

Habeas Corpus suspended by the king.
(See Habeas Corpus).

[ocr errors]

He marries Catherine, the infanta of
Portugal

May 21, 1662

A great plague ravages London, carrying

Great fire of London. (See Fires)

princess Caroline of Brunswick.Apr. 8, 1795 Cash payments suspended . Feb. 25, 1797 Death of Edmund Burke July 8, 1797 Habeas Corpus again suspended. Aug, 28, 1798 off 68,000 persons. (See Plague) . 1665 | Hatfield's attempt on the life of Geo. III.

* The various occurrences of a remarkable character relating to England, not noticed in this place, will be found under their respective heads through the volume.

1660

. 1794 Marriage of the prince of Wales with the

1666 (See Hatfield)

[ocr errors]

May 11, 1800

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

901. Edward the Elder; succeeded his father Alfred; died in 924.

827. Egbert, first sole monarch, so reigned 924. Athelstan, eldest son of the last king;

ten years; succeeded by his son.

837. Ethelwolf; reigned twenty years; succeeded by his son,

940.

857. Ethelbald, called the II.; died 20th Dec., 860; succeeded by his next brother. 860. Ethelbert; died in 866, and was succeeded by

866. Ethelred, third son of Ethelwolf; died April 27th, 872; succeeded by

872. Alfred, surnamed the Great, fourth son of Ethelwolf; died 28th Oct., 901

947.

died Oct. 17th, 940.

Edmund I., fifth son of Edward the Elder; bled to death from a wound received in an affray, May 26th, 947. Edred, brother of Edmund, died in 955, and was succeeded by

955. Edwy, eldest son of Edmund, died of grief, in 959. In this reign, Dunstan, a turbulent and ambitious priest, ruled the king, who afterwards banished him.

« PreviousContinue »