Tashing ton Monument

See Washington (city). Wasp (wosp). 1. An American ship of war, 18 guns, built at Washington in 1806. Oct. 13, 1812, she sailed from the Delaware, under command of Captain Jacob Jones, with 137 men. On Oct. 18, in lat. 37° N., long. 65° W., she fell in with 6 merchantmen under convoy of the British brig Frolic, 18 guns and 110 men. The action began at 11:32 A. M., and the Frolic struck at 12:15 P. M. It was fought in a very heavy sea. Both ships were captured the same day by the Poictiers (British, 74). 2. An American ship-rigged sloop of war, 22 guns and 160 men, built at New bury port in 1814. She left Portsmouth, May 1, 1814, under Captain Johnston Blakeley, and ran into the English Channel. On June 28 she fell in with the British sloop Reindeer, 18 guns and 118 men. The battle began at 3:17 P. M., and the Reindeer struck at 3:44. On Sept. 1, in lat. 47° 30′ N., she met the British brig Avon, 18 guns. The battle began at 8:38 P. M., and the Avon struck at 10:12. On Oct. 9, in lat. 18° 35' N., long, 30°10′ W., she spoke and boarded the Swedish brig Adams, and took out of her Lieutenant McKnight and a master's mate, late of the United States ship E ex, on their way from Brazil to England. The Wasp was never heard from again. IMG:content-1166.png:[blocks in formation] Wateree (wa-te-re'). A river in South Caro- lin a which unites with the Congaree to form the Santee: called Catawba in its upper course. See Catawba . Water ford (wa'ter-ford). 1. A maritime county of Munster, Ireland.. It is bounded by Tipperary and Kilkenny on the north, Water ford Harbor (separat- ing it from Wexford) on the east, St. George's Channel on the south, and Cork on mountainous. The county contains many antiquities. Area, 721 square miles. Population (1891), 98,251. New York. Population (1900), 21,696. Water town. A city in Jefferson and Dodge counties, Wisconsin, situated on Rock River road and manufacturing center, and the seat of North- 44 miles west by north of Milwaukee. It is a rail- Western University (Luther an). Population (1900), 8,437. ment of Nord, France, 9 miles northeast of Waterville (water-vil). A city in Kennebec Lille. Population (1891), commune, 19,770. County, Maine, situated on the Kennebec Watts (wots), Alaric Alexander. Born at River 18 miles north-northeast of August a: London, March 16, 1799: died there, April 5, the seat of Colby University. Population 1864. An English poet and journalist. He was Watervliet (water-vlet). A city in Albany County, New York. It is situated on the Hud- son north of Albany. Pop. (1900), 14,321. Watkins Glen (wot'kinz glen). A deep ravine near Watkins, Schuyler County, New York, celebrated for its picturesque scenery. Watling's (wot'lingz) Island. A small island of the Bahama group, West Indies, in lat. 24° N.: generally supposed to be the San Salvador AS. Wætlinga stræt.] One of the principal Roman roads in Britain. It commenced at Dover, pa ed through Canterbury to London, and thence went by St. Albans, Duns table, Stony Str at ford, etc., pa ing along the boundary line of the present counties of Lei cester and Warwick to Wroxeter on the Severn, and then verging from it. north to Chester. It had a number of branch roads di- Watson (wot's on), James Craig. Born in On- tario, Canada, Jan. 28, 1838: died at Madison, Wis., Nov. 23, 1880. An American astronomer, profe or of astronomy and director of the ob- servatory at the University of Michigan, and after 1879 at the University of Wisconsin. He discovered 23 asteroids and several comets; conducted several United States astronomical expeditions, including "Popular Treatise on Comets" (1860), "Theoretical As- tronomy" (1869), "Tables for the Calculation of Simple and Compound Interest," etc. Scottish clergyman and author. He has been as sistant at churches in Edinburgh and Glasgow; pastor of the Free Church, Logie almond, Perth shire; and since Park, Liverpool. He has written "Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush" (1894), "The Days of Auld Lang Syne" (1895), "The Upper Room" (1896), "The Mind of the Master" (1896), "Kate Carnegie" (1896), etc. The University of St. An- drews conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity Watson, Richard. Born at Heversham, West- Watt's Dyke. See Offa's Dyke . more land, 1737: died 1816. An English prel- Wat Tyler's (wot ti'lėrz) Rebellion. See Tyler , shire. A contemporary English poet. His poem "Words worth's Grave" drew attention to him in 1892, and in that year he received a civil pension of £200 rendered vacant by the death of Tennyson. His "Lachrymæ Musa- rum" was the finest ode written on the death of the latter. He had previously published "Love Lyrics," "The Prince's Quest," "Epigrams of Art, Life, and Nature"; and in 1893 he published "The Eloping Angels" and a volume of e ays, "Excursions in Criticism," "Odes and Other Poems "(1894). Watt (wot), James. Born at Greenock, Scot- land, Jan. 19, 1736: died at Heath field, near Birmingham, Aug. 19, 1819. A famous British mechanician, inventor, and civil engineer. He was apprenticed to an instrument-maker in London in 1755; became mathematical-instrument maker to the Uni- versity of Glasgow in 1757; began experiments in improving the steam-engine about 1760; and invented the condensing steam-engine in 1765 and obtained a patent in 1769. Many other improvements were devised later and patented. He began the manufacture of steam-engines in 1775. Watt, Robert. Born at Stewart on, Ayrshire, May, 1774: died March 12, 1819. A Scottish physician and bibliographer. His "Bibliotheca Britannica" (4 volumes, published posthumously in 1824) is a compilation showing great industry and wide research, and is of great value as an index to literature. Watteau (vä-to'), Jean Antoine. Born at Va- lenciennes, France, Oct. 10, 1684: died at No- gent-sur-Marne, France, July 18,1721. A French genre-painter. He studied with Gillot in Paris in 1702, and later with Audran. He was unusually succe ful with subjects representing conventional shepherds and shep- herde es, fêtes champêtres, rustic dances, etc. The style of female dre represented in many of them, consisting of what was known "sacque" with loose plaits hang- Watter son (wot'er-son), Henry. Born at Wash- ington, D. C., 1840. An American journalist, Democratic politician, and orator. He served on the Confederate side in the Civil War, and became noted as the editor of the Louisville "Courier-Journal," and as a prominent advocate of free trade. He was member of Congre from Kentucky 1876-77. Waukesha (wa'ke-sha). The capital of Wau- kesh a County, Wisconsin, 18 miles west of Milwaukee. It is a watering-place. Popula- tion (1900), 7,419. Wausau (wa'sâ). The capital of Marathon County, Wisconsin, situated on the Wisconsin River 130 miles north of Madison. Population (1900), 12,354. Waveney (wa've-ni). A river on the boundary joins the Yare near Yarmouth. between Norfolk and Suffolk, England, which Waverley (wa' ver-li), or 'Tis Sixty Years Since. A novel by Sir Walter Scott, the first of the "Waverley Novels," published in 1814. The scene is laid principally in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. Waver tree (wā'ver-trē). A township in Lan- cashire, England, 3 miles east of Liverpool. Population (1891), 13,764. Wavre (vävr). A town in the province of Bra- bant, Belgium, situated on the Dyle 15 miles southeast of Bru els. It was the scene of a battle, June 18, 1815, between the French under Grouchy and the Pru ians under Thielmann. Grouchy was checked IMG:content-1167.png:[blocks in formation] Way land (wa'land), Francis. Born at New Webb (web), Alexander Stewart. Born at York city, city, March March 11, 1796: died at Providence, R I., Sept. 30, 1865. An American Baptist clergyman, educator, and author. He graduated at Union College in 1813, and was president of Brown University 1827-55. His works include "Elements of Moral Science" (1835), "Elements of Political Economy" (1837), "Limitations of Human Responsibility" (1838), "Thoughts on the Present Collegiate System in the United States" (1842), "Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution" (1845), "Memoir of Adoniram Judson" (1853), "Elements of Intellectual Philosophy" (1854), Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches" (1857), etc. Way land Smith. [AS. Wēland , ON. Völundr , G. Wiel and.] In English folk-lore, an invisible smith who once dwelt at an old stone monument near Ashdown in Berks hire. If a horse had cast a shoe, it was only nece ary to lead him thither, place a piece of money on the stone, and retire for a while. Upon returning, the money was gone and the horse shod. The legend of Way land, the most skilful of smiths, is common Germanic property. In the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf," a precious piece of armor is called "We landes geweorc" ('Weland's work'). His deeds are the subject of the "Völundar Kvidha" ('Lay of Völund') in the Elder Edda. According to the Old Norse "Vilkina Saga," he was taught first by the smith Mime, and then by two dwarfs. Swedish legend locates his grave near Siseback in Scania. Scott introduces him as a character in "Kenil. worth." In recent German literature he is the subject of the poem "Wiel and der Schmied," by Karl Simrock. Way land Wood. A wood near Watton, England, the legendary scene of the murder of the "Children in the Wood." Wayne (wan), Anthony. Born in Chester County, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745: died at Presque Isle (Erie), Pa., Dec. 15, 1796. An American gen called "Mad Anthony Wayne." In early life he was a surveyor; was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature in 1774, and of the committee of safety in 1775; was colonel of Pennsylvania troops in Canada, and served at Three Rivers in 1776; commanded at Ticonderoga in 1776; became brigadier-general in Feb., 1777, and joined Washington's army; served at Brandy wine, where he commanded a division; was surprised the British at Paoli Sept. 20, 1777; commanded the right wing at Ger mantown in Oct., 1777; conducted a succe ful raid within the British lines in 1778; served at Mon mouth in 1778; stormed Stony Point July 15, 1779; suppre ed a mutiny in Jan., 1781; commanded at Green Spring in 1781; and served at the siege of York town. He defeated the British and Indians in the south in 1782. In 1783 he was brevetted major-general; became a member of the Pennsylvania ratifying convention; and was member of Congre from Georgia 1791-92. In 1792 he was appointed major general and commander-in-chief of the army. He took command of the army in the West; defeated the Indians at Fallen Timbers, Maumee Rapids, in 1794; built Fort Wayne; and negotiated a peace with the Indians in 1795. Waynesboro (wanz'bu-rō). A small place in the Shenandoah valley, in August a County, Virginia. There, March 2, 1865, the Federals under Sheridan defeated the Confederates under Early. Waynflete (wan'flet), William. Died 1486. An English prelate, bishop of Winchester: founder of Magdalen College, Oxford. He was lord high chancellor under Henry VI. Way of the World, The. A comedy by Congreve, produced in 1700. Ways of the Hour, The. A novel by Cooper, published in 1850. Wazan (wä-zän'). A sacred city of Morocco, southeast of Tangiers. Weakest Goeth to the Wall, The. A play attributed to Webster and Dekker (1600). It was probably by Munday. Weald (weld). The name given in England to an oval-shaped area, bounded by a line topographically well marked by an escarpment of the Chalk, which begins at Folk est one Hill, near the Strait of Dover, and pa es through the counties of Kent, Surrey, Hants, and Su ex, meeting the sea again at Beachy Head. It embraces the southwestern part of Kent, the southern part of Surrey, the north and northeastern half of Su ex, and a small part of the eastern side of Hampshire. Wealth of Nations, The. The chief work of Adam Smith, published in 1776: the foundation of the science of political economy. Wear (wer). A river in Durham, England, which flows into the North Sea at Sunder land. Length, about 60 miles. Weathercock (weTH'ėr-kok), The. A name given to Charles Town shend, on account of the instability of his political opinions. Weaver (wēʼvėr). A small river in Cheshire, England, which joins the estuary of the Mersey 12 miles southeast of Liverpool. Weaver, James B. Born at Dayton, Ohio, June 12, 1833. An American politician. He served in the Union army in the Civil War, attaining the rank of brigadier-general was member of Congre from Iowa 1879-81; was the candidate of the Greenback-Labor party for President in and of the People's party in 1892; and was Greenback-Labor and Democratic member of Congre from Iowa 1885-89. New York city, Feb. 15, 1835. An American general. He graduated at West Point in 1855; served in the Army of the Potomac; was distinguished at Gettys burg, Bristow Station, Spottsylvania, and elsewhere; was profe or at West Point 1866-68; and has been president of the College of the City of New York from 1869. He has written "The Peninsula: McClellan's Campaign of 1862" (1882), etc. Weber (vā'ber), Albrecht Fried rich. Born at Breslau, Pru ia, Feb. 17, 1825: died at Berlin, Nov. 30, 1901. A noted German Orientalist, profe or at Berlin 1856-1901. His chief works are "In disc he Studien " (17 vols. 1849-85), and an edition of the "White Yajurveda" (1849-59). Weber, Ernst He in rich. Born at Wittenberg, Pru ia, June 24, 1795: died at Leipsic, Jan. 26, 1878. A noted German physiologist and anatomist, profe or at Leipsic from 1818. His works include "An a tomia com par at a nervi sympathici" (1817), "De aure et auditu hominis et animalium" (1820), "An not at i ones anatomicæ et physiologicæ" (1851), etc. Weber, Georg. Born Feb. 10, 1808: died Aug. 10, 1888. A German historian. His chief work is "All gem eine Weltgeschichte" ("Universal History," 15 vols. 1857-80). He also wrote "Geschichte der deutschen Litteratur" (many editions), etc. Weber, Baron Karl Maria Fried rich Ernst von. Born at Eutin, Germany, Dec. 18, 1786: died at London, June 5, 1826. A celebrated German composer: famous as the creator of romantic opera. He received his musical education from Heuschkel, Michael Haydn, Kalcher, and Vogler; was appointed kapellmeister at Breslau 1804-06; was private secretary to the Duke of Würtemberg at Stutt. gart 1807-10; lived in Mannheim, Darmstadt, and else where; was appointed kapellmeister in Prague in 1813, and in Dresden 1816; and visited London in 1826, where he died. He had a lively interest in mechanical proce es, especially wood-engraving and lithography. His works include the operas "Der Freischütz" (1821), "Euryanthe" (1823), "Oberon " (1826), "Silvan a" (1810), "Abu Ha an" (1811), fragments of "Das Waldmädchen" (1800), "Rube zahl," etc.; music to "Preciosa," etc. Weber, Wilhelm Eduard. Born at Wittenberg, Pru ia, Oct. 24, 1804: died at Göttingen, June 23, 1891. A distinguished German physicist, brother of Ernst He in rich Weber: profe or at Göttingen from 1831 (with the exception of the years 1837-49): especially noted for his researches in magnetism and electricity. He was one of the seven liberal profe ors excluded from Göttingen in 1837. He was a ociated with his brother in his work on wave-theory, "Wellenlehre" (1825), with Gau in "Result ate aus den Beobachtungen des magnet is chen Vereins 1836-41" and "Atlas des Erdmagnetismus" (1840). Weber (we'ber) Cañon. A deep cañon of the Weber River, noted for its scenery. It is traversed by the Union Pacific Railroad. Weber River. A small river in northern Utah, a tributary to Great Salt Lake. Webster (web's ter), Daniel. Born at Salisbury (Franklin), N. H., Jan. 18, 1782: died at Marsh field, Ma ., Oct. 24, 1852. A famous American statesman, orator, and lawyer. He studied at Exeter Academy and Boscawen, New Hampshire; graduated at Dart mouth College in 1801; was admitted to the bar at Boston in 1805; practised law at Boscawen and Portsmouth; was Federalist member of Congre from New Hampshire 1813-17; and removed to Boston in 1816. He acquired a national reputation as a lawyer in the Dart mouth College case in 1818; was member of Congre from Ma achusetts 1823-27; was Whig United States senator from Ma achusetts 1827-41; became famous for his con in 1661). Weigl for a Cuckold" and "A Thracian Wonder" (both printed Webster, Noah. Born at Hartford, Conn., Oct. 16, 1758: died at New Haven, Conn., May 28, 1843. An American lexicographer and author. He entered Yale in 1774; served in the Revolutionary War in 1777; graduated at Yale in 1778; and was admitted to the bar in 1781. He taught in various places, and in 1788 settled in New York as a journalist. In 1798 he removed to New Haven, and in 1812 to Amherst, Ma achusetts, where he took part in the founding of the college and was the first president of its board of trustees. He returned to New Haven in 1822. He published "A Grammatical Institute of the English Language" (1783-85: comprising spelling-book, grammar, and reader), "Di ertations on the English Language" (1789), "A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language" (1806), and "A Grammar of the English Language" (1807). He is best known from his large Dictionary of the English Language" (1828:2d ed. 1841). Among his other works are "Rights of Neutrals" (1802), "Collection of Papers on Political, Literary, and Moral Subjects" (1843), and a brief history of the United States (1823). Weckherlin (vek'er-lēn), Georg Rudolf. Born at Stuttgart, 1584: died about 1653. A German poet. He introduced the ode, sonnet, and other forms of verse into German literature. Weddahs. See Veddahs . Wedder burn (wed'ėr-bėrn), Alexander, first Earl of Ro lyn. Born in East Lothian, Feb. 13, 1733: died near Windsor, England, Jan. 2, 1805. A British politician and jurist. He became solicitor-general in 1771, and attorney-general in 1778; and was chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas 1780-93, and lord chancellor 1793-1801. He was created Baron Lough borough in 1780, and earl of Ro lyn in 1801. Wedgwood (wej wud), Josiah. Born at Burslem, England, July 12, 1730: died at Etruria, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Jan. 3, 1795. A cele brated English potter, noted especially for his copies of cla ical vases and other antiquities. Wed more (wed'mor). A place in Somerset, England, 8 miles west of Wells. Here, in 878, a peace was concluded between Guthrum, king of the Danes, and Alfred the Great. The latter secured We ex and the southern part of Mercia; the region lying in general north of Watling Street and the Thames valley fell to the Danes. Wednesbury (wenz'bu-ri). Atown in Staff ords hire, England, 7 miles northwest of Birmingham. It is an iron and coal-mining center, and has manufactures of iron and steel. Population (1891), 25,342. Wednesday (wenz'dā). [Lit. 'Woden's day.'] The fourth day of the week. Weed (wed), Thurlow. Born at Cairo, Greene County, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1797: died at New York city, Nov. 22, 1882. A noted American journalist and politician. He was educated as a printer; served in the War of 1812; was editor of various papers in New York, including the "Agriculturist" (Norwich, N. Y.), "Onondaga County Republican," "Rochester Telegraph, and "Anti-Mason Enquirer"; became famous as editor of the Albany "Evening Journal" 1830-62, and as one of the leaders of the Whig and Republican parties; and was very influential in State and national politics 1824-76. He was instrumental in nominating Harrison in 1836 and 1840, Clay in 1844, Taylor in 1848, and Scott in 1852; formed with Seward and Greeley a triumvirate in New York; supported Lincoln and the war; and was sent by Lincoln on a mi ion to Europe 1861-62. After the war he was for a short time editor of the New York "Commercial Advertiser." He published "Letters from Europe and the West Indies" (1866), "Reminiscences" ("Atlantic Monthly," 1870), and an "Autobiography," completed by T. W. Barnes (1884). Weehawken (wē-ha'ken). A village in Hudson County, New Jersey, north of Hoboken, opposite New York city. It was the scene of the duel between Burr and Hamilton in 1804. Population (1900), township, 5,325. Weeping Philosopher, The. A name given to Her a clit us. stitutional speeches in reply to Hayne in 1830, and in op- position to Calhoun in 1833; opposed Jackson on the United States Bank question; received several electoral votes for President in 1836; and was an unsucce ful can didate for the Whig nomination in later years. In 1839 he visited Europe. He was secretary of state 1841-43; ne- gotiated the Ash burton treaty with Great Britain 1842; Wega. See Vega . was United States senator from Ma achusetts 1845-50; opposed the Mexican war and the annexation of Texas; supported Clay's compromise measures in his "7th of March speech" in 1850; was secretary of state 1850-52; and was again candidate for the Whig nomination for President in 1852. His chief public speeches (aside from those made in Congre and at the bar) are addre es delivered on the anniversary at Plymouth in 1820, on the laying of the corner- stone of Bunker Hill monument in 1825, on the deaths of Jefferson and Adams in 1826, on the dedication of Bunker Hill monument in 1843, and on the laying of the corner- stone of the addition to the Capitol in 1851. Webster, Fletcher. Born 1813: killed at the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. The son of Daniel Webster. He was a colonel in the Civil War. Webster, John. Flourished in the first part of the 17th century (1602-24). An English dramatist, noted for his tragedies. Little is known of his biography. He a isted Dekker, Drayton, Middle ton, and others in "Lady Jane" (1602) and "The Two Harpies" (1602). "We published, with Dekker, North word Hosir "Westward Ho!" (1607), and "The History of Thomas Wyatt" (played in 1607). "The Weakest Goeth to the Wall" (1600) is attributed, without authority, to him. His finest plays are "The White Devil" (printed 1612) and "The Duche of Malfi" (printed 1623). He also wrote "The Devil's Law Case" (1623), "A City Pageant" (1624), and "Appius and Virginia" (not printed till 1654). Two other Wegg (weg), Silas. A wooden-legged seller of fruit and printed ballads in Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend," employed by Mr. Boffin, whose education had been neglected, to read to him out of "old familiar Decline-and-Fall-off-the Roo shan-Empire," with an occasional drop into poetry. Wegg turns out to be a rascal. Weggis, or Wäggis (veg'gis). A village in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, situated on the Lake of Lucerne 7 miles east by south of Lucerne: a health and tourist resort. Wehlau (vā'lou). A town in the province of East Pru ia, Pru ia, situated at the junction of the Alle with the Pregel, 29 miles east of Königs. berg. Here a peace was concluded between Poland and Brandenburg Sept. 19, 1657, by which Poland renounced her suzerainty over the duchy of Pru ia, and Brandenburg restored its recent conquests to Poland. Population (1895), 5,229. Wehrathal (vā'rä-täl). One of the most picturesque valleys in the southern part of the Black Forest, Germany, near the Swi frontier. Weichsel (vik's el). The German name of the Vistula. Weigl (vigl), Joseph. Born at Eisenstadt, Wei e (vis'se), Christian Hermann. Born at Leipsic, Aug. 10, 1801: died at Leipsic, Sept. 19, 1866. A German philosopher, profe or at Leipsic. He wrote "System der Ästhetik" (1830), and many other philosophical works. We is sen burg (vis's en-börg), or Kronweis- senburg (kron-vis's en-börg). [F. Wi em- bourg .] A town in Lower Alsace, Alsace-Lor- raine, situated on the Lauter, near the fron- tier of the Palatinate, 32 miles north by east of Strasburg. It was a free imperial city, and was for- merly fortified. It pa ed to France in 1697, and to Ger- many in 1871. A victory was gained there, Aug. 4, 1870, by French under Douay (who fell in the battle). This was the first important engagement in the Franco-German war. Population (1890), 5,376. We is sen burg, or Lauterburg (lou'ter-börg), Lines. Fortifications formerly extending from We is sen burg in Alsace to Lauterburg. They were taken by the Austrians under Wurmser in 1793; were re- stroyed in 1873. taken by the French under Pichegru in 1793; and were de- Wei enfels (vis's en-fels). A town in the prov- ince of Saxony, Pru ia, situated on the Saale 20 miles southwest of Leipsic. It has flourishing man- ufactures and trade. From 1657 to 1746 it was a residence of the dukes of Saxe-Wei enfels. Population (1890), 23,779. We is sen stein (vīs ́sen-stin). A mountain of the Jura, in the canton of Solothurn, Switzer- land, near Solothurn: noted for its prospect. Height, 4,220 feet. We is shorn (vis'horn). [G., 'white town.'] 1. A mountain in the Bernese Alps, on the bor- ders of the cantons of Bern and Valais, Swit- zerland, north of Sierre. Height, 9,882 feet. 2. A peak of the Pennine Alps, in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, north of the Matter- horn. Height, 14,803 feet. We i n ich two (vis'nicht-vō). [G., '(I) know not where.'] An imaginary city in Carlyle's "Sartor Resartus." of North American Indians: also often called Yurok , from its leading division. Its territory was chiefly within the limits of Humboldt County, California; and it was in two divisions-the Yurok, inhabiting the Klamath River and the coast from near its mouth south- ward to Gold Bluff; and the Chilula, extending from the latter point southward. The principal tribes or villages are Mita, Pekwan, Rikwa, Sugon, and Weitspek. Weitzel (vit's el), Godfrey. Born at Cincin- nat i, Nov. 1, 1835: died at Philadelphia, March 19, 1884. An American general and military en- gineer. He graduated at West Point in 1855; was chief engineer in Butler's expedition to New Orleans in 1862, and a istant military commander and acting mayor there; gained the victory of Labadieville, Louisiana, Oct. 27, 1862; served before Port Hudson and in the Sabine Pa expe- dition; was chief engineer of the Army of the James in 1864, and corps commander; took part in the capture of Fort Harrison and in the first expedition against Fort Fisher; and was in command of the troops which occu- pied Richmond April 3, 1865. He became major-general of volunteers in Nov., 1864, and brevet major-general in Welcker (vel'ker), Fried rich Gottlieb. Born at Grünberg, He e, Nov. 4, 1784: died at Bonn, Dec. 17, 1868. A German cla ical archæologist and philologist, profe or at Bonn from 1819. Among his works are "Die äschylische Trilogie" (1824), "Die griechischen Tragödien mit Rücksicht auf den ep- ischen Cyclus geordnet" (1839-41), "Der epische Cyclus" (1835-49), "Alte Denkmäler" (1849-64). Welde (weld), Thomas. Born in England about 1590: died 1662. An English clergyman. He emi- grated to New England and became minister in Roxbury. He wrote against the Antinomians, Familists, etc., and was one of the authors of the "Bay Psalm-Book" (1640). He returned to England. Welf (velf). See Guelfs . cester, Rutland, and Lincoln, and flows into the Wash. Length, about 70 miles.-2. A small river in Ontario which joins the Niagara above the falls. Well and Canal. A ship-canal in Ontario, ex- tending from Port Colborne on Lake Erie to Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario. Length, 27 miles. It was opened in 1833. Well-Beloved, The. [F. Bien - Aimé .] A name given to Charles VI. of France, and also to Louis XV. Welle (wel'le), or Welle-Makua (-mä-köä). A large river in equatorial Africa which flows westward from the vicinity of Wadelai. It is the upper course of the Mobangi or Ubangi, and was discov. ered by Schweinfurth in 1870. Its connection with the Weird Sisters, The. The three witches in Shakspere's “Macbeth." Weishaupt (vis'houpt), Adam. Born at Ingol- stadt, Bavaria, Feb. 6, 1748: died at Gotha, Nov. 18, 1830. A German author, founder of the Illuminati. He wrote "Apologie der Illuminaten" (1786), "Das verbe erte System der Illuminaten" (1787), "Pythagoras" (1790), etc. nover lines. See Guelfs . Welhaven (vel'hä-ven), Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer. Born at Bergen, Dec. 20, 1807: died at Christiania, Oct. 21, 1873. A Norwegian lyric poet. He was the son of a clergyman. In 1825 he went to Christiania to study theology at the university: on the death of his father, he gave a literary career. His first important work was a long Domring" ("Norway's Twilight"), published in 1834. In polemical poem, really a series of sonnets, entitled "Norges 1840 he was made profe or of philosophy at the Christ i- ania University, a position which he held until 1867, when he was compelled to relinquish it on account of ill health. Between 1839 and 1859 appeared numerous lyrical poems. His pamphlet "Om Henrik Wergelands Digtekunst og Poe- sie" ("On Henrik Wergeland's Poetic Art and Poetry "), published in 1832, was a mercile attack upon the poet Wergeland. His collected writings were published at Copenhagen 1867-68. Well and (wel'and). 1. A river in England which separates in part North amp ton from Lei- The Century Cyclopedia of Names Well hausen (vel'hou-zen), Julius. Born at Hameln, May 17, 1844. A distinguished Ger- man theologian and biblical critic, profe or succe ively at Greifswald (1872), Halle (1882), Marburg (1885), and Göttingen (1892). His works include "Text der Bücher Samuel is" (1871), "Die Phari- killed. The charter was revoked in 1546, after the Wel- sers had lost, it is said, 3,000,000 florins. Welsh (welsh). The people of Wales, or the members of the Cymric race indigenous to Wales. They were ruled by petty princes and maintained their independence of the English till 1282-83. Welsh pool (welsh'pöl). A town in the county of Montgomery, Wales, situated on the Severn 17 miles west of Shrews bury. Near it is Powys Castle. Population (1891), 6,306. Welsh Shakspere, The. See Williams , Edward . Welwitsch (wel'wich), Fried rich. Born at Mariasaal, Austria, 1807: died at London, Oct. 20, 1872. An African botanist and explorer. He spent seven years in Angola, West Africa (1853-61); collected above 40,000 botanic specimens; and discovered, in 1863, near Mo a me des, the singular plant named, after Wemmick (wem'ik), John. A kind-hearted but apparently flinty little clerk in Dickens's "Great Expectations." He has a little home at Wal- worth, which looks like a battery with mounted guns, where he devotes himself to his deaf old father, whom he calls “Aged P" Wenceslaus (wen's es-lâs), or Wenceslas (wen' ses-las), G. Wenzel (vent's el), Saint. Duke of Bohemia about 928-936, a patron saint of Welling (wel'ing), James Clarke. Born at Trenton, N. J., July 14, 1825: died Sept. 5, 1894. An American editor and educator. He was editor War period, and president of St. John's College, Annapo- lis, 1867-70. From 1871 he was president of Columbian Wenceslaus II. King of Bohemia 1278-1305, Welling borough (wel'ing-bur-ō). A town in the county of North amp ton, England, situated near the union of the Ise and Nen, 10 miles east- northeast of North amp ton. Population (1891), 15,068. Wellington (wel'ing-ton). An island near the western coast of Patagonia, about lat. 48°-50° S., belonging to Chile. Length, about 100 miles. Wellington. The capital of New Zealand and of Hutt County in the North Island, situated Wenceslaus I. King of Bohemia 1230-53, son of Ottokar I. He was a patron of the poetic art, and himself a minnesinger. son of Ottokar II. He extended the Bohemian power, and was crowned king of Poland in 1300. Wenceslaus. Born 1361: died Aug. 16, 1419. German king, son of the emperor Charles IV. He was elected king of the Romans in 1376, and succeeded to the German and Bohemian thrones in 1378. He put to death John of Nepomuk. He was imprisoned by Bohe- mian nobles 1393-94; was deposed from the German throne in 1400; and renounced his right to that crown in 1410, but continued to reign as king of Bohemia. Wendland (vent'länt). The northeastern part Wenzel. See Wenceslaus . Wept of Wish-ton-wish, The. A novel by Cooper, published in 1829. Werbach (verbäch). A village in Baden, near the Tauber 16 miles southwest of Würzburg. It was the scene of a contest between the troops of Baden and those of North Germany, July 24, 1866. Werden (ver'den). A town in the Rhine Prov- ince, Pru ia, situated on the Ruhr 30 miles north of Cologne. It contains an ancient church of a Benedictine abbey (founded 799). Population (1890), 8,838. 47′ E. It has one of the finest harbors in the colony, sia. and important trade. Population (1891), with suburbs, Wends (wendz). 1. A name given in early IMG:content-1169.png:[blocks in formation] Wellington. A town in the county of Som--2. The members of a branch of the Slavic erset, England, 23 miles northeast of Exeter. From it the Duke of Wellington took his title. Population (1891), 6,808. - Wellington, Duke of. See Wellesley , Arthur . Wellington, Mount. A mountain in Tasmania, near Hobart Town. Height, 4,170 feet. Wells (welz). A town in the county of Somer- set, England, situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills, 17 miles southwest of Bath. It is the seat of a bishopric, now conjoined with that of Bath. The cat he- dral is in the main of the first half of the 13th century, with square central tower and Lady chapel of the 14th. The plan shows square chevet and single transepts. The wide west front, flanked by two towers, is somewhat of the char- acter of that of Salisbury in its superposed and monotonous tiers of arcading: it is more like cabinet-work than arch i. tecture, but the details are beautiful. The interior is im pre ive in general effect, but is architecturally inorganic, having no vaulting-shafts in the nave. The western tran- sept-piers, showing weakne , were buttre ed in 1338 by the insertion between them of a pair of ma ive arches, race living in Lusatia. Also called Sorbs . Wenern (vā'nern), or Venern (vā'nern), Lake. The largest lake of Sweden, and after Lakes Ladoga and Onega the largest lake in Europe, situated in the southern part of Sweden, west- northwest of Lake Wettern, with which it is connected by a canal (and thence with the Baltic). It receives the Klar Elf, and its outlet is by the Göta Elf into the Cattegat. Length, 100 miles. Width, 50 miles. Height above sea-level, 140 feet. Area, about Wengern Alp (ven'gernälp). A height in the pa of the Little Scheideck, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland: famous for its magnificent view. Wenlock (wen'lok), or Much Wenlock (much wen'lok). A town in Shropshire, England, 30 miles west-northwest of Birmingham. Popu- lati on (1891), 15,703. Wenrorono (wen-rō-rōnō). A tribe of North lived in a ociation with the Neuters, and, upon the attacks of the Iroquois in 1638, fled to the Hurons with whom they became mixed. See Born at A royal He made Went worth (went'werth), Benning. Portsmouth, N. H., 1696: died 1770. governor of New Hampshire 1741-67. grants of land (the New Hampshire grants) in southern Went worth, Charles Watson, second Mar- quis of Rocking ham. Born 1730: died July 1, 1782. An English statesman, prime minister language is frequently adopted without e ential change. 1765-66 and March-July, 1782. Went worth, Sir John. Born at Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 9, 1737: died at Halifax, N. S., April 8, 1820. Royal governor of New Hamp- shire 1767-75. He was a loyalist in the Revo- lution, and was lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia 1792-1808. Went worth, Thomas, Earl of Str afford. Born at London, April 13, 1593: executed at London, May 12, 1641. A famous English statesman. He entered Parliament 1614; and was an opponent of the policy of James I., and until 1628-29 of that of Charles L. In 1628 he was raised to the peerage; became president of the Council of the North in 1628; was made a privy councilor in 1629; was appointed lord deputy of Ireland 1632, and arrived there 1633; and became the chief adviser of Charles I. In 1640 he was made earl of Str afford and lord lieutenant of Ireland; commanded the army against the Scots in that year; was impeached by the Long Par- liament; and was condemned by a bill of attainder. Werner, Fried rich Ludwig Zacharias Werner, Fried rich Ludwig Zacharias. Born at Königsberg, Pru ia, Nov. 18, 1768: died at Vienna, Jan. 17, 1823. A German dramatist and poet, founder of the "fate-tragedies." He was a Roman Catholic preacher in later life. Among his dramas are "Die Söhne des Thals" ("The Sons of the Valley," 1803), "Der Vierundzwanzigste Februar" (1815: "The 24th of February"), "Das Kreuz an der Ostsee" ("The Cro on the Baltic," 1806), "Martin Luther," or "Die Weihe der Kraft" (1807), etc. Wernigerode (ver'nē-ge-rō-de). A town in the province of Saxony, Pru ia, situated at the foot of the Harz, on the Holzemme, 40 miles southwest of Magdeburg. It is the capital of the county of Stolberg-Wernigerode (formerly an imperial fief). It contains a noted Rathaus and castle with a large library. Population (1890), 9,966. Werra (ver'rä). One of the two head streams of the Weser. It rises in Saxe-Me in in gen, flows through Thu ring i a, separating the Thüringer wald from the Rhön gebirge, and unites with the Fulda at Münden to form the Weser. Length, about 170 miles. Werth, or Werdt (vārt), Johann von (Jean de Weert). Born at the end of the 16th century: died 1652. A general in the Imperialist and Bavarian service in the Thirty Years' War. He was distinguished at Nördlingen in 1634; captured Ehrenbreitstein in 1637; was defeated and taken prisoner at Rheinfelden March 3, 1638; commanded at Tuttlingen Nov. 24, 1643; and was distinguished at Mergentheim and Allersheim in 1645. Werther (var'ter). An opera by Ma enet, words by E. Blau, Paul Milliet, and Georges Hartmann, from Goethe's novel: produced at London June, 1894. See Sorrows of Werther . Wertingen (ver'ting-en). A small town in Swabia, Bavaria, situated on the Zusam 16 miles northwest of Augsburg. Here, Oct. 8, 1805, the French under Lannes and Murat defeated the IMG:content-1170.png:[blocks in formation] 20,724. Weser (va'zer). [L. Visurgis , OG. Visuracha .] One of the principal rivers of Germany. It is formed, at Münden, by the union of the rivers Werra and Fulda; flows generally north and north-northwest, and principally through Pru ia; and empties into the North Sea near Bremerhaven. Its chief tributaries are the Aller, Wümme, and Geeste (on the right), Diemel, Werre, Aue, and Hunte. On it are situated Bremen and Minden. Length, about 270 miles, or, including the head stream Werra, about 435 miles; navigable for sea ve els to Els fleth, and for large boats to Münden. Weser Mountains, or Weser Terrace. A mountainous and plateau region, extending on both sides of the Weser from Münden to Minden. Among the groups of mountains or hills are the Bramwald, Solling, Osterwald, Süntel, Deister, Bückeberg, the Weser proper, and the Teutoburgerwald. Highest Wesley (wes'li or wez'li), Charles. Born at point, about 1,650 feet. Epworth, Lincoln shire, England, Dec. 28, 1708: died at London, March 29, 1788. An English Methodist clergyman and hymn-writer, brother of John Wesley: famous as a hymn-writer. He was educated at Westminster School and at Christ Church, Oxford. He accompanied his brother John to Georgia 1735-36. Wesley, John. Born at Epworth, England, June 28 (N. S.), 1703: died at London, March 2, 1791. An English clergyman, son of Samuel Wesley: famous as the founder of Methodism. He was educated at Charter house School and at Christ Church, Oxford; became a fellow of Lincoln College in 1726; and was curate to his father 1727-29. In the latter year he settled at Oxford, where he became the leader of a band of young men conspicuous for their religious earnestne : they were somewhat derisively called "methodists" from the regularity and strict method of their lives and studies. He went to Georgia as a mi ionary in 1735, returning to England in 1738. At first he was allied with the Moravians, but soon abandoned all ecclesiastical traditions and established the Methodist Church. In 1739 he began open-air preaching. The first Methodist conference was held in 1744. His literary work, also, was extensive. Wesley an (wes'li-an or wez'li-an) University. An institution of learning at Middle town, Connecticut, chartered in 1831. It is under Methodist Episcopal control. It has about 35 instructors and 350 students. We el (ves's el), Johan Herman. Born in the parish of Vestby, Norway, 1742: died at Copenhagen, 1785. A Danish dramatist and poet. His father was a clergyman. After elementary instruction in Christiania, he went in 1761 to the Copenhagen University, where he studied the succeeding year. Subsequently he supported himself by teaching modern languages. In 1778 he was made translator to the Royal Theater. His one important literary work, written when he was 30 years old, is the tragedy "Kjælighed uden Strömper" ("Love without Stockings"), a parody on the French tragedies then in vogue on the Danish stage, from which it effectually banished them. Two other dramas are of but little value. He wrote, besides, a few lyrics and hu IMG:content-1171.png:[blocks in formation] We ex (wes'eks). [ME. We ex , We exe , AS. Westseaxe , We obrunner Gebet. [' [We obrunn Prayer.] An important relic of Old High German liter a- ture, dating from the end of the 8th century. of We obrunn, in Bavaria near the Lech. It was preserved in the Benedictine monastery West (west), Benjamin. Born at Springfield, Chester County, Pa., Oct. 10, 1738: died at London, March 11, 1820. An American-English historical and portrait painter. He worked as a por- trait-painter in Philadelphia and New York, and studied in Italy 1760-63. He settled in London in 1763; became court historical painter in 1772; was one of the early members of the Royal Academy; and was the succe or of Reynolds as president of the Royal Academy. Among his noted paintings are "The Death of Wolfe" (at Grosvenor House), "Battle of La Hogue,” “Christ Healing the Sick" (National Gallery, London), "Death on the Pale Horse" (Pennsylvania Academy), "Alexander the Great and his Physicians," and "Penn's Treaty with the Indians." Many of his pictures are at Hampton Court. West, Empire of the. See Western Empire . West, Lionel Sackville. See Sackville -West. West, Rebecca. An adventure , in Ibsen's play "Rosmersholm," who induces the wife of Rosmer to commit suicide, leaving him with the conviction that she (the wife) was insane. West, The. 1. The western part of the world, or Occident. This, as distinguished from the East, or Orient, is sometimes restricted to the greater part of Europe, and sometimes indicates, or at least includes, the western hemisphere. 2. In the United States, the western part of that the origins this was the region lying west of the particularly the northern part of that region; now it is, thirteen States along Atlantic seaboard, and indefinitely, the region beyond the older seaboard and central States, or more specifically that included mainly between the Mi i ippi River and the Pacific Ocean, and especially the northern part of that region. West, Thomas, Baron Delawarr or Delaware. Died 1618. Governor and captain-general of Virginia. He was appointed in 1609, arrived at James town in 1610, and returned in 1611. West African Colonies. A collective name for the British colonies in western Africa. They comprise Sierra Leone, Lagos, the Gold Coast, and Gambia. West Australia. See Western Australia . West Bay City. A city in Bay County, Michigan, situated near the mouth of Saginaw River, opposite Bay City. It has an extensive trade in lumber. Population (1900), 13,119. West Bromwich (brum'ich). A town in Staf ford shire, England, situated near the Tame 6 miles northwest of Birmingham. It has manufactures of hardware, etc. Population (1901), 65,175. Westbury, Baron. See Bethell , Richard . West Chester (ches'ter). A borough, capital of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 25 miles west of Philadelphia. Population (1900), 9,524. Westcott (west'kot), Brooke Fo . Born near Birmingham, Jan., 1825: died July 27, 1901. An English prelate and biblical scholar. He was regius profe or of divinity at Cambridge 1870-90; became canon of Westminster in 1883; and was bishop of Durham 1890-1901. He was one of the New Testament revisers. His works include a "History of the Canon of the New Testament" (1855), "Introduction to the Study of the Gospels" (1860), "The Bible in the Church" (1864), "The Gospel of the Resurrection" (1866), "History of West Cowes (kouz). A town on the northern shore of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, on the Medina 11 miles south-southeast of Southampton. It is a summer resort and the headquar. ters of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Population (1891), 7,768, West Derby (dėr'bi or där'bi). A town in Lancashire, England, 4 miles northeast of Liverpool. the English Bible" (1868), etc. Population (1891), 38,291. West End. The aristocratic western part of London. Wester a a len (ves'ter-a-len) Islands. A group of islands on the northwestern coast of Norway, east and north of the Lofoten Islands, from which they are separated by the Raftsund. Westerås (ves'ter-as). The capital of the laen of West man land, Sweden, situated at the entrance of the Svartå into Lake Mälar, 57 miles west-northwest of Stockholm. There, April 29, 1521, there in 1527 he secured the succe of the Reformation.