Mediasch (mā'de-äsh)

A town in the county ✓ of Nagy-Küküllö, Transylvania, situated on the river Nagy-Küküllö 26 miles north-northeast of Hermannstadt. It has a trade in wine. Population (1890), 6,766. 4 Medicean Stars (med-i-sē'an stärz). The name given by Galileo, in honor of the Medici, to the satellites of Jupiter discovered by him. Medici (med'e-che or mã de-che). [It., physicians.'] An Italian family which formerly ruled bere in Florence and Tuscany, celebrated for the num produced, and fort patronage of art and the pristinis tory was Silvestro de' Medici, who took part in the revolt of the Ciompi in 1378. Giovanni de' Medici (died 1429) ama ed a large fortune as a banker, and became the founder of the political greatne of the family. He ruled the city by means of his wealth, without holding office. He left two sons Cosmo (1389-1464) and Lorenzo (13951440), each of whom became the founder of a branch line of the family. The elder branch, descended from Cosmo, ruled in Florence until its extinction in 1537, except during two periods when it was in exile (1494-1512 and 15271530). Its rule was exercised under the forms of republi letters. Its uncer can institutions down to about 1531, when A le andro de' Medici was made hereditary duke of Florence by the emperor. Among the notable members of this branch were Cosmo the Elder, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and the popes Leo X. and Clement VII. The elder branch became extinct at the death of A le andro in 1537. He was succeeded as duke of Florence by Cosmo I., who represented the younger branch of the family, descended from Lorenzo. Cosmo I. obtained po e ion of Siena and its territories, and in 1569 received the title of grand duke of Tuscany from the Pope, although the imperial confirmation was first received by his succe or Francesco I. in 1575. The younger branch ruled as grand dukes of Tuscany until its extinction at the death of Giovan Gastone de' Medici in 1737 . Medici, A le andro de'. A a inated Jan. 5, 1537. First duke of Florence, illegitimate son of Lorenzo (1492-1519). In 1523 the head of the Medici at Florence, Cardinal Giulio, became pope under the title of Clement VII. He appointed his nephews A le andro and Ippolito joint rulers of Florence in his place under the regency of Cardinal Silvio Pa er in i. In 1527 the populace expelled both A le andro and Ippolito; but in 1531 the former, who had married Margaret of Austria, natural daughter of the emperor Charles V., was restored by his father-in-law and made hereditary duke of Florence, the Medici having till that time exercised power under the forms of republican institutions. Medici, Catharine de'. See Catharine de Me dici . Medici, Cosmo or Cosimo de', surnamed "The Elder." Born 1389: died Aug. 1, 1464. A Flor entering of liter ature, son of Giovanni de' Medici (died 1429). He inherited his father's vast fortune, and, like him, practically ruled the republic through his skill in securing the elevation of his own creatures to the chief offices in the commonwealth. He was expelled with his whole family by the rival family of the Albizzi in 1433, but returned in 1434. He was a magnificent patron of art and literature, and his palace became an asylum for Greek scholars exiled by the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Medici, Cosmo or Cosimo de', called "The Great." Born 1519: died 1574. Grand Duke of Tuscany, son of Giovanni de' Medici (1498–1526). He represented the younger branch of the Medici, de scended from Lorenzo de' Medici (1395-1440), and became duke of Florence on the extinction of the elder branch in 1537. He conquered Siena in 1555, and had the title of grand duke of Tuscany conferred on him by the Pope in 1569. See Medici . Medici, Ferdinand I. de'. Born about 1549: died 1609. Grand Duke of Tuscany 1587-1609, younger son of Cosmo the Great. He succeeded his brother Francesco I. Medici, Francesco I. de'. Born 1541: died 1587. Grand Duke of Tuscany 1574-87, son of Cosmo the Great whom he succeeded. Medici, Giovanni de'. Died 1429. A Florentine merchant. He ama ed an immense fortune, and by his adroitne in procuring the elevation of his creatures to the chief offices became virtual ruler of the republic. He left two sons Cosmo (1389-1464) and Lorenzo (13951440), who became the founders of the elder and younger branches of the Medici respectively. Medici, Giovanni de'. See Leo Х. Medici, Giovanni de', called "Giovanni delle Bande Nere." Born 1498: killed in battle, 1526. An Italian general. He was a descendant of Lorenzo de' Medici (1395-1440), founder of the younger branch of the Medici. Medici, Giulio de'. See Clement VII . Medici, Ippolito de'. Born 1511: died 1535. An Italian cardinal, grandson (illegitimate) of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Medici, Lorenzo de', surnamed “Il Magnifico" ('the Magnificent'). Born about 1449: died April 8,1492. A celebrated Florentine statesman and patron of letters, grandson of Cosmo the Elder. On the death of his father Piero in 1469, he succeeded to immense wealth and political of his family jointly with a younger brother Giuliano. The latter was a a inated by a rival family, the Pazzi, in 1478, leaving Lorenzo sole ruler of Florence. Like his predece ors, he governed the republic without any title, merely by a free use of his wealth and by his adroitne , in procuring the elevation of his own creatures to the chief offices in the state. Medici, Lorenzo de'. Born 1492: died 1519. Duke of Urbino, grandson of Lorenzo de' Medici (the Magnificent). He became the head of the republic of Florence on the elevation of his uncle to the papal chair under the title of Leo X. in 1513, and in 1516 was appointed by the latter duke of Urbino. southern Wyoming. Medici, Maria de'. See Maria de ' Medici . Rocky Mountains, in northern Colorado and Medicine Bow Mountains. A chain of the Medill (me-dil'), Joseph. Born at St. John, New Brunswick, April 6, 1823: died at San Antonio, Texas, March 16, 1899. An American journalist. He was admitted to the bar in 1846, but abandoned law and took up journalism about 1849. In 1855 he became connected with the Chicago "Tribune," of which he obtained control in 1874. Medina (me-dē'nä), Ar. Medinat-Rasul-Allah (me-de'nät-rä-söl'ällä), or Medinat-el-Rabi (me-dē'nät-el-rä'bē). A city in Hedjaz, Arabia, the second holy city of the Mohammedans, situated about lat. 24° 30′ N., long. 40° E.: the ancient Yathrib, called by Ptolemy Lathrippa. It is celebrated as the place where Mohammed took refuge at the flight (622 A. D.) (see Hejira ), and where he died and was buried. From this it is sometimes designated "the city of the prophet." The Great Mosque contains Mohammed's tomb. The inclosure measures about 500 by 390 feet, and as usual is surrounded by arcaded galleries. The tomb is in an inclosure in the southeastern corner, beneath a conspicuous pointed dome: the pavement of this part of the mosque is formed of beautiful mosaics. The tomb consists of a structure of black stones, with two pillars: it is wholly concealed from the eyes of the profane by precious draperies. The actual buildings of the mosque are at least in large part very modern, the arches, though of pointed horseshoe-form, not being extra dosed, while the columns are pseudo-cla ical. Medina was the capital of the Mohammedan empire down to the acce ion of the Ommiads (661). Population, estimated, 16,000. Medina (mē-dinä). In Spenser's "Faerie Queene," the second of the three sisters Eli a, Medina, and Peri a. She far excelled the other two, representing the golden mean, while Eli a was froward and always discontented, and Peri a was loose and extravagant, and indulgent in all pleasures. Medina (mā-dē ́nii), Sir John Baptist. Bornat Bru els in 1659: died at Edinburgh, Oct. 5, 1710. A Belgian-English portrait-painter, pupil of François Du Châtel of Bru els. He was knighted in 1707. Medina (ma-THO'na), José Maria. Born about 1815: died at Santa Rosa, Feb. 8, 1878. A Central American politician,president of Honduras Feb. 15, 1864, to Aug., 1872. During this period the country was brought to bankruptcy by reckle financiering in connection with an interoceanic railway scheme. Salvador Mediterranean Sea and Guatemala having made war on Honduras, Medina was defeated and deposed by his own troops. He revolted against Leiva (Dec., 1875, to May, 1876), but was defeated, and for a second attempted revolt was shot. Medina-Celi (-thā'lē). A small town in the province of Soria, Spain, situated 12 miles northeast of Siguenza: noted for an ancient castle. Medina del Campo (mā-THēʻnä del kämʻpō). A town in the province of Valladolid, Spain, situated on the Zabardiel 25 miles south-southwest of Valladolid. The Castillo de la Mota is a very interesting castle, built of brick in 1440, now ruinous within but comparatively perfect without, with its broad moat, strongly fortified gate, square keep, round angle-towers, and numerous projecting bartizans. Here Queen Isabella died in 1504. Population (1887), 5,581. Medina de Rio Seco (dā rē ́ō sākō). A town in the province of Valladolid, Spain, 24 miles northwest of Valladolid. Here, July 14, 1808, the French under Be ières defeated the Spaniards under Cuesta. Population (1887), 4,776. Medina Sidonia (ma-The'nä se-do'nē-ä). A town in the province of Cadiz, Spain, 24 miles east by south of Cadiz: noted in Spanish history. Population (1887), 11,705. Medinat-ez-Zahra (me-de'nät-ez-zä'rä). See the extract. One of his [the calif's] wives, whose name was Ez-Zahra, 'the Fairest,' to whom was devotedly attached, once begged him to build there it which shout a beled after her name. The Great Khalif, like most Mohammedan sovereigns, delighted in building, and he adopted the suggestion. He at once began to found a city at the foot of the mountain called the "Hill of the Bride," over against Cordova, and a few miles distant. Every year he spent a third of his revenues upon this building; and it went on all the twenty-five remaining years of his reign, and fifteen years of the reign of his son, who made many additions to it. Ten you sand workmen laboured daily at the task, and six you sand blocks of stone were cut and polished every day for the construction of the houses of the new city. Some three you sand beasts of burden were daily used to carry the materials to the spot, and four you sand columns were set up, many of which were presents from the Emperor of Constantinople, or came from Rome, Carthage, Sfax, and other places, besides the home marbles quarried at Tarragon a and Almeria. There were fifteen you sand doors, coated with iron or polished bra . The Hall of the Khalifs at the new city had a roof and walls of marble and gold, and in it was a wonderful sculptured fountain, a present from the Greek Emperor, who also sent the Khalif a unique pearl. In the midst of the hall was a basin of quicksilver; at either side were eight doors set in ivory and ebony and adorned with precious stones. When the sun shone through these doors and the quicksilver lake was set quivering, the whole room was filled with flashes like lightning, and the courtiers would cover their dazzled eyes. The Arabian authors delight in telling of the wonders of this "City of the Fairest," Medinat-ezZahra, as it was called, after the Khalif's mistre . Poole, Story of the Moors, p. 140. Medinet-Abu (me-de-net-a-boor-Habu (-habö'). of villages site of Thebes, Egypt, noted for its ruins. The temple and palace Rameses III. here are notable. The front buildings, facing the south, constitute the royal palace. Many of the very interesting mural sculptures reproduce the private life of the king. From the palace a dromos 265 feet long leads to the ma ive outer pylon of the temple, which opens on a court over 100 feet square with Osirid figures on the north side and columns with bell-capitals on the south. A second pylon with portal between pyramidal towers leads to an imposing court 123 by 133 feet, surrounded by a peristyle having Osirid figures in front and rear and columns on the sides. Behind the rear figures is a range of 8 splendid columns with colored cælan a glyphic sculptures. The portal of this court gives acce to the hypostyle hall, bordered with chambers, behind which two columned vestibules precede the sanctuary and a labyrinth of corridors and small chambers. The sculptures of this temple are of great importance. They include in the interior ceremonial scenes of the cult, the king's coronation, and battle-scenes, many of them very richly colored. The exterior of the temple is covered with sculptures which are even more remarkable, illustrating Rameses's campaigns against the Libyans and an Asiatic people. Among the scenes a naval battle is of especial interest. Medinet-el-Fayum (me-dēʼnet-el-fi-öm'). The capital of the province of Fayum, Egypt, 54 miles southwest of Cairo. It is situated on the ruins of the ancient Arsinoë or Crocodilopolis. Population (1882), 25,799. Meding (māʼding), Johann Ferdinand Martin Oskar: pseudonym Gregor Samarow. Born at Königsberg, Pru ia, April 11, 1829. A German statesman and historical novelist. Mediolanum (mē"di-ō-lā'num). The Latin name of Milan. Mediomatrici (mē"di-ō-mat'ri-sī). In ancient geography, a tribe of eastern Gaul, whose capital was Metz (Divodurum or Mediomatrica). Meditations. The name generally given to the philosophical work by emperor Marcus Aurelius (English translation by George Long, 1862). Mediterranean Sea (med i-to-ra ne-an sẽ). [F. Méditerranée , G. Mittelländisches Meer, L. Mare Internum , etc., the midland sea.] A sea, the most important extension of the Atlantic, separating Europe on the north from Africa on the south, and communicating with the Medway (med was the river in southeastern England which joins the Thames at Sheerne . Length, about 70 miles; navigable to Maid stone. Medyn (ma-din'), or Medysy (ma-dis i). A town in the government of Kaluga, 86 miles Mefistofele (mā-fēs-tō'fe-le). An opera by Boito first produced at Milan in 1868. See Mephis- top heles . Megæra (me-jē'rä). [Gr. Μέγαιρα .] In Greek mythology, one of the Eumenides (which see). Me gales i an Games (meg-a-lē'shi-angāmz). [Gr. Μεγαλήσια.] In Roman antiquity, a magnifice festival, with a stately proce ion, feasting, and scenic performances in the theaters, celebrated at Rome in the month of April, and lasting for 6 days, in honor of "the great mother," Cybele. The image of this godde was brought to Rome from Pes- sinus in Galatia, about 203 B. C., and the games were in- stituted then or shortly afterward, in consequence of a Megalopolis (meg-a-lop'ō-lis). [Gr. Μεγαλόπο- λις , the great city.] In ancient geography, a city in Arcadia, Greece, situated on the Helis- son in lat. 37° 25′ N., long. 22° 9′ E. It was built in 370 B. c. as an Arcadian outpost against Sparta. There are extensive ruins near the modern Sinanu. An ancient theater has been lately excavated. The cave a, 475 feet in diameter, is entirely supported by an artificial embank- ment with ma ive retaining-walls. The monastery, the most famous in Greece proper, was founded by Const an- tine Palæologus. The great building, five stories high, is erected in a cave, 100 feet deep and high and 200 wide, in the face of a cliff: the distant view is highly picturesque. The church po e es one of the miracle-working icons of the Madonna, attributed to St. Luke. Megara (meg'a-rä). [Gr. Μέγαρα; Semitic Me- ritory, Megaris, situated between the Halcyon ' arah , cave.] A city in Greece, with its ter- Sea, the Corinthian Bay, and the Saronic Gulf. the pa leading from central Greece to the Peloponne- The city of Megara, with its port Nisæa, was situated on sus. Its primitive inhabitants were Carians. From it went out the colonies Byzantium, Chalcedon, Heracleia on the Pontus, and Megara Hyblæa in Sicily. It had two citadels: on the Acropolis Caria stood a celebrated tem- ple of Demeter (the Megaron). It fell later into the hands of the Maced on i ans, and afterward of the Romans. The modern Megara, situated on the site of the ancient city, has about 6,000 inhabitants. Megara Hyblæa (mega-rähi-ble'ä). In ancient geography, a Megarian colony in Sicily, north of Syracuse. See Hybla Minor . Megarics (me-gar'iks), The. A school of Greek philosophy, founded by Euclid of Megara, which the metaphysics of the Eleatics. Megaris (meg'a-ris). [Gr. Μεγαρίς .] In ancient geography, a district in Greece which formed part of the isthmus connecting the Peloponne- sus with central Greece and lay southwest of name given to the Brahmaputra in the lower part of its course, and to the principal mouth for its bore. of the united Brahmaputra and Ganges: noted Megrez (mē'grez). [Ar. maghrez - al - dub , the root of the bear's tail.] The bright third-mag- nitude star d Ursæ Major is, the faintest of the seven stars which form the Dipper. Mehádia (me-häʼdē-o). A town in the county of Kra ó-Szörény, Hungary, situated on the Bella-Reka in lat. 44° 55′ N., long. 22° 22′ E. Near it are the sulphur "Hercules Baths," celebrated since Roman times. It was stormed by the Turks in 1716, Mehadpur (me-had-pör'), or Mahidpore (mä- 1738, and 1789. Population, about 2,000. hid-por'), or Mehidpur (me-hid-pör'), etc. A town in central India, 56 miles north of Indore. Here, Dec. 21, 1817, the British under Hislop de- feated the forces of Holkar. Mehemet Ali (ma'he-met ä'lē), or Moham- med Ali (mō-ham'ed ä'lē). Born at Kavala, Macedonia, about 1769: died at Cairo, Aug. 2, 1849. Viceroy of Egypt. He went as a military com. mander to Egypt in 1799; was appointed governor of Egypt in 1805; ma acred the Mamelukes in 1811; suppre ed the Wahhabee revolt in Arabia in 1818; introduced var i- and Kordofan 1820-22; a isted the Turks in the Greek ous internal improvements; conquered Nubia, Sennaar, war of independence; conquered Syria 1831-32; defeated Turkey in 1839; and was compelled by the European pow. ers to give up Syria in 1841. Mehemet Ali Pasha (Karl Detroit). Born at eral. In 1877 he commanded the main army in nated in Diakova, Sept. 7, 1878. A Turkish gen- Brandenburg, Pru ia, Nov. 18, 1827: a a i- Bulgaria, and was succe ful against the Rus- sians on the Lom, Aug.-Sept., but was super- seded by Suleiman Pasha. Meherrin (me-her'in). Atribe of North Ameri- can Indians, formerly living on the river of the same name in southern Virginia. In 1710 they attacked the neighboring settlements and were driven away. See Iroquoian . Méhul (mā-ül'), Étienne Henri. Born at Givet, Ardennes, France, June 24, 1763: died at Paris, Oct. 18, 1817. A French composer. He wrote the "Uthal," "Gabrielle d'Estrées" (1806), "Joseph" (1807), operas "Str a to nice" (1792), "Le jeune Henri" (1797), "La journée aux aventures"(1816), etc., and many patriotic songs and cantatas (the "Chant du départ," "Chant du Megasthenes (me-gas'the-nez). [Gr. Meyar- θένης .] Lived about 300 в.с. A Greek writer, Meidoo. See Maidu . and his amba ador to Sandrocottus, king of a friend and companion of Seleucus Nicator, the Prasii in India, whose capital, Palibothra, was probably near the modern Patna. He wrote a work on India which was the chief source of the later Greek information on the subject. The "tomb of Hiram has been already described. Four monuments of a more or le similar character exist the Syrian mainland opposite Aradus, in the near vicinity of Amrit. Two are known as "the Meghazils." They stand the coast, between the Nahr Amrit and the Nahr Kublé. near together on a low hill, at some little distance from The more striking of the two has been described as a "real masterpiece in respect of proportion, elegance, and majesty." It consists of a basement story, which is circu- admirable, with a second story of a cylindrical shape, and Meiderich (mi'der-ich). A manufacturing vil- miles north of Cologne. Population, 20,417. in the Rhine Province, Pru ia, about 37 important not only Meidum (ma-döm'). A locality in Egypt, west from its peculiar The pyramid here is in dated monument in Egypt. It was built by Sneferu, of the 3d dynasty, about 3766 в. с. three inclined and rece ed stages of orange-colored masonry to the height of 115 feet. The entrance is on the story or plinth, which consists of four blocks, is cut out of dome or half-sphere. The whole, except the basement IMG:content-0762.png:[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors] IMG:content-0763.png:[blocks in formation] The Century Cyclopedia of Names IMG:content-0765.png:[blocks in formation] Meilhac (mā-yäk'), Henri. Born at Paris, Feb. 23, 1832: died there, July 6, 1897. A French dramatist and author. Among his plays written alone are "Péché caché" (1858), "Un petit-fils de Mascarille" (1859), "Ce qui plaît aux "La vertu de Cé. limène" (1861), "Les Bourguignonnes" (opéra comique, 1862), "Fabienne" (1865), “Les demoiselles Clochart" (1886), "Décoré" (1888), "Margot" (1890), "Brevet supéri. eur" (1892). From about 1860 he wrote in collaboration with Ludovic Halévy (see Halévy for list of plays, per a bouffes, etc.), and also with Delavigne ("L'Échéance," "L'Élixir du Docteur Cornélius,” etc.), with Narrey("Vert-Vert"), with Ma enet("Manon Lescaut"), and with a number of others. He also wrote a dramatic poem, "Les païens," in the "Revue de Paris," and a number of articles in "La Vie Pari sienne" (signed Ivan Baskoff), etc. Meineke (mi'ne-ke), Johann Albert Fried rich August. Born at Soest, Pru ia, Dec. 8, 1790: died at Berlin, Dec. 12, 1870. A German philologist, director of the Joachimsthal Gymnasium at Berlin 1826-57. He edited fragments of the Greek comic poets (1839-57), Horace (1834), Strabo (1852-53), Aris toph anes (1860), etc. Meiners (mi'ners), Chris toph. Born near Otterndorf, Hannover, Pru ia, July 31, 1747: died at Göttingen, May 1, 1810. A German philosophical and historical writer, profe or of philosophy at Göttingen. Me in in gen (mi'ning-en). The capital of Saxe Me in in gen, Germany, situated on the Werra in lat. 50° 34′ N., long. 10° 25′ E. The ducal theater and a castle (with picture-gallery) are of interest. It was for a time the residence of Richter. Population (1890), 12,029. Meiringen, or Meyringen (mīʻring-en). A village in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, situated in the valley of the Aare, 38 miles east southeast of Bern. It is the chief place in the Hasli Thal, and a tourist center. Mei en (mi's en). [OHG. Misna , MHG. Misne , Mi en, Miszen, Meichsen, G. Mei en , ML. Mis nia.] A medieval margraviate of Germany, which developed in the region around Dresden and Mei en, and was the nucleus of the modern kingdom of Saxony. It came under the house of Wettin (the present reigning house of Saxony) in 1089. Its margrave Frederick received from Sigismund the Saxon electorate in 1423 (confirmed 1425). Mei en. A town in the kingdom of Saxony, situated on the Elbe 13 miles northwest of Dresden. It is noted for its manufactures, especially of porcelain. The cathedral is of the 13th century and later. The southeast tower and spire (254 feet high) are of the 15th century. The doors are admirably sculptured. The interior is chiefly remarkable for the Princes' Chapel, in which are buried the medieval representatives of the Saxon royal family. Some of the monuments are very fine, especially a bra designed by Dürer. (For the castle, see Albrechtsburg .) Mei en is an ancient town. It was the capital of the medieval margraviate of Mei en, and suffered in the Hu ite and Thirty Years' wars. Population (1890), 17,875; with suburbs, 26,407. Mei ner (mis'ner), Alfred. Born at Teplitz, Bohemia, Oct. 15, 1822: died at Bregenz, Tyrol, May 29, 1885. A German novelist, poet, and dramatist. His works include the epic "Ziska" (1846), the novels "Zwischen Fürst und Volk" (1855), "Sansar a" (1858), "Schwarzgelb" (1864), etc. Mei onier (mā-so-nyā'), Jean Louis Ernest. Born at Lyons, Feb. 21, 1815: died at Paris, Jan. 31, 1891. A celebrated French genre and historical painter. He was a pupil of Cogniet, and was made a member of the Beaux Arts in 1861. He first made himself known as an illustrator of books ("Les français peints par eux-mêmes," etc.), but soon began to paint genre-pictures on a small scale, with the microscopic detail and finish for which he was famous. He painted between 450 and 500 of these, about 75 of which are owned in America. His favorite subjects were military, and many of his pictures represent men at arms, guards, cavaliers, or soldiers playing cards, drinking, etc. The most celebrated of his pictures are the four known as "The Napoleon Cycle." One of these, "1807," was purchased in 1887 for $66,000, and presented to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Among his other works be mentioned "Le petit me ager" (1836), "Reli gieuse consol ant un malade" (1838), "Le liseur" (1840), "La partie d'échecs" (1841), "Le peintre dans son atelier" (1843), "Le corps de garde," "Jeune homme regardant les de ins," "La partie de piquet" (1845), "La partie des boules" (1855), "Le hallebardier," "Napoléon III. à Solferino," "Le "Les bravi" (1852), "La rixe" "Un maréchal-ferrant," "Un musicien," "Un peintre" (1861), "Suite d'une querelle de jeu" (1865), "Une lecture chez Diderot," "Le capitaine," "Cavaliers se faisant servir à boire," "L'Ordonnance," "Le général Desaix à l'armée du Rhin," "Le portrait de Monsieur Delahante" (1867), "Charge de cuira iers” (1867), "Madonna del baccio" (1871), "Le billet-doux," "Védette," "Le voyageur," and "L'Adieu" (1880), "Le guide" (1883). He presented to the state two of his most celebrated pictures, "Le graveur à l'eau forte" and "Le cavalier à sa fenêtre." They are now in the Louvre. Meister singer von Nürnberg (mis'ter-zing-er fon nürnberg), Die. An opera by Richard Wagner, produced at Munich in 1868 by Von Bülow. Mejerda. See Medjerda . Mejía (mā-Hē'ä), Tomas. Born in Guanajuato about 1812: died at Querétaro, June 19, 1867. A Mexican general, of Indian race. He was conspicuous in the civil wars as an adherent of the conserva tive or church party; was one of the most trusted lieutenants of Maximilian; and was executed with him after the fall of Querétaro. Mekbuda (mek-bū dä). [Ar. al - makhbúdah , the contracted (arm), in antithesis to al - mebsútah .] A seldom used name of the fourth-magnitude star Geminorum. Melegnano a man of acts rather than of words, unflinching in pursuit of his purpose, but big of heart withal. Ward , Hist. Dram. Lit. Melas (mā'läs), Baron Michael von. Born at Schä burg, Transylvania, 1729: died at ElbeTeinitz, Bohemia, May 31, 1806. An Austrian general. He commanded with Suvaroff at Ca ano, the Trebbia and Novi in 1799, and alone at Genola in 1799, and Marengo in 1800. Melas Sinus (mēʻlas sī ́nus). [Gr. Μέλας Κόλ πος .] The ancient name of the Gulf of Saros. Melazzo. See Milazzo . Armenia, Feb. 7, 1676: died at San Lazzaro, near Venice, April, 1749. An Armenian ecclesiastic, founder of a congregation of Armenian monks (Roman Catholic) at San Lazzaro. Also Mechitar . Mekhitarists (mek-i-tär'ists). An order of Armenian monks in communion with the Church of Rome, under a rule resembling the Benedictine, founded by Peter Mekhitar at Constantinople in 1701, confirmed by the Pope in 1712, and finally settled on the island of San Lazzaro, near Venice, in 1717. This is still their chief seat, while they have an independent monastery at Vienna, and branches in Ru ia, France, Italy, Turkey, etc. The Mekhitarists are devoted to the religious and literary interests of the Armenian race wherever found, and have published many ancient Armenian manuscripts as well as original works; and their society is also organized as a literary academy which confers honorary membership without regard to race or religion. Also Mechitarists . Meknez, or Mekinez. See Mequinez . Mekong, or Mekhong(mā-kong'), or Cambodia (kam-bo'di-ä). A river in southeastern Asia. It rises in Tibet, flows through Yunnan (in China), Burma, Siam, Cambodia, and French Cochin-China, and empties by a delta into the China Sea about lat. 10° N. Length, estimated, about 2,800 miles; navigable to Kratieh in Cambodia. Mekran (mek-rän'), or Makran (mak-rän'). A region on the coast of the Arabian Sea, in southwestern Balu chi stan and southeastern Persia, corresponding in part to the ancient Gedrosia. Mela (mē'lä), Pompon i us. Born at Ting enter a in Spain: flourished about the middle of the 1st century. A Roman geographer, author of three books "De Chorographia," a compendium of geography and of manners and customs. It is the earliest extant account of the ancient world written in Latin. Melampus (me-lam'pus). [Gr. Μελάμπους, black-footed.] In Greek legend, a soothsayer, the son of A myth a on and Eidomene, brother of Bias, the sage, and ancestor of the Melampodidæ, a family of seers. According to the myth, some serpents which he saved from death cleansed his ears with their tongues while he was asleep, and on awakening he understood the voices of birds and beasts, and thus learned many secret things. Thus, by listening to the worms in the woodwork of the prison in which he was confined, he learned that it was soon to fall. Me lanch thon (me-langk'thon; G. pron. melänch'ton), or Melanthon (me-lan thon), Philipp. [Grecized from Schwarzerd , black earth.] Born at Bretten, Baden, Feb. 16, 1497: died at Wittenberg, Germany, April 19, 1560. A German Reformer, famous as the collaborator of Luther. He was educated at Tübingen; became profe or of Greek at Wittenberg in 1518; revised the "Augsburg Confe ion" in 1530, and drew up the "Apology" in 1530; and took part in the various Protestant conferences with the Roman Catholics. His chief theological work is the "Loci communes" (1521). The best edition of his works is by Bretschneider and Bindseil in the "Corpus reform a to rum" (1834-60). Me lanes i a (mel-a-ne's hi-ä). [LL., islands of the blacks.'] A name given to a collection of island groups in the Pacific, whose inhabitants are related. It comprises New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, the Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz, the Banks Islands, the New He brides, New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, the Fiji Islands, and some smaller groups. Melantha (me-lan'thä). In Dryden's comedy "Marriage à la Mode," an attractive and impertinent fashionable lady, said by Cibber to exhibit the most complete system of female foppery that could po ibly be crowded into the tortured form of a fine lady. Mel an thus (me-lanthus), or Melanthius (mel an'thi-us), of Sicyon. [Gr. Μέλανθος, Μελάν θιος .] A Greek painter, especially noted as a colorist: one of the great Sicyonian school founded by Eupompus. See Eupompus . He was a pupil of Pamphilus. Like his teacher, he based his work on the scientific training which characterized the artistic activity of the Peloponnesian cities. He wrote a work much used by Pliny in the compilation of his 35th book. Quintilian distinguishes Pamphilus and Mel an thus for "ratio," referring to the intellectual quality of their work. Mel anti us (me-lan'ti-us). In Beaumont and Fletcher's "Maid's Tragedy," a rough, honest soldier, the brother of Evadne.