Monitor, THE

A floating ironclad battery, with turret and two 11-in. guns, devised by Capt. John Eric on 1861; victorious over the Confederate ram MERRIMAC (q.v.) in Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862. Monitorial System. Devised by Comenius ab. 1650; adopted and pushed by Andrew Bell in Madras 1795, and by Joseph Lancaster in England ab. 1800; each of these claimed its authorship. It aimed to simplify and cheapen education by mutual instruction, use of slates, diminution of text-books, and other kindred means.