Probably, on the hint thus given by St

John, the Romish church taught at an early period that Michael was employed, in command of the loyal angels of God, to overthrow and consign to the pit of perdition Lucifer and his rebellious a ociates a legend which was at length embalmed in the sublimest poetry by Milton. Sometimes Michael is represented as the sole archangel, sometimes as only the head of a fraternity of archangels, which includes likewise Gabriel, Raphael, and some others. Heis usually represented in coat-armour, with a glory round his head, and a dart in his hand, trampling on the fallen Lucifer. He has even been furnished, like the human warriors of the middle ages, with a heraldic ensign-namely, a banner hanging from a cro . We obtain a curious idea of the religious notions of those ages when we learn that the red-velvet-covered buckler worn by Michael in his war with Lucifer used to be shewn in a church in Normandy down to 1607, when the bishop of Avranches at length forbade its being any longer exhibited. Chambers's Book of Days , II. 388. Michael I. Rhangabe or Rhagabe. Died about 845. Byzantine emperor 811-813. He was the son of one of the high functionaries at court, and was made master of the palace by Nicephorus I., whose daughter Procopia he married. He succeeded his wife's brother Stauracius. He was deposed by Leo V., and retired to a IMG:content-0683.png:[blocks in formation] Michael III. Byzantine emperor 842-867, son of Theophilus. He undertook, with his uncle Bardas, an expedition against the Bulgarians in 861, which resulted in the conversion of the Bulgarian king. In 863 his uncle Petronas gained a splendid victory over the Saracens in Asia Minor. He was a a inated in 867 by Basilius the Maced on i an, whom he had a ociated with himself in the government in 866. Michael IV., surnamed "The Paphlagonian." Byzantine emperor 1034-41. He was a younger brother of John the Eunuch, prime minister under Const an brother. tine IX. and Roman us III. He became chamberlain to Zoe, wife of Roman us III., who in 1034 poisoned her husband in order to marry Michael. He was a man of weak character, and was a mere instrument in the hands of his Michael V. Calaphates ('the Calker'). Byzantine emperor 1041-42, nephew of Michael IV. He banished his uncle John the Eunuch, which led to an insurrection at Constantinople. He was dethroned, and spent the rest of his life in a convent. Michael VI., surnamed "The Warrior." Byzantine emperor 1056-57. He was appointed by the empre The odor a as her succe or on account of his military virtues. He was, however, old and feeble, and was deposed by Isaac Comnenus. He was allowed to retire to a convent. Michael VII. Ducas or Para pin aces. Byzantine emperor 1071-78, son of Const an tine XI. Michael VIII. Palæologus. Born 1234: died in Dec., 1282. Byzantine emperor 1261-82, grandson (through his mother Irene Angela) of the Byzantine emperor Alexius Angelus. He became commander of the French mercenaries in the service of the Emperor of Nicæa, and in 1259 became, with the patri. arch Arsenius, guardian of the emperor John Lascar is, He caused himself to be proclaimed joint emperor of Nicaæa in 1260. In 1261 he conquered Constantinople from the Latins, thus restoring the Byzantine empire, of which he was crowned emperor in the same year. He deposed and blinded John Lascar is in 1261. Michael IX. Palæologus. Died 1320. Byzantine emperor 1295-1320, son and a ociate of Andronicus II. who outlived him. Michael. Czar of Ru ia 1613-45. He was the founder of the Roman off dynasty. Michael. Born Oct. 25, 1832. Grand Duke of Ru ia, fourth son of the czar Nicholas. Michael. A bark of 25 tons, one of the ships of Frobisher's first expedition. It early abandoned the other ship, the Gabriel, and returned to England. Michael, Archangel. A celebrated painting by Guido Reni, in Santa Maria dei Cappuccini, Rome. The saint, because of his beauty of face and form often called "the Catholic Apollo," is in the act of enchaining Lucifer. The color is vigorous and good. Michael, Order of Saint. An order instituted in France by Louis XI., Aug. 1, 1469. Michael Angelo. See Michelangelo . Michael Obrenovitch (ō-bren'ō-vich), Prince of Servia. Born at Kragujevatz, Servia, Sept. 4, 1825: murdered near Belgrad, June 10, 1868. A younger son of Milosh. He reigned 1839-42 and 1860-68. Michael is (mē-chä-āʼlis), Johann David. Born at Halle, Pru ia, Feb. 27, 1717: died at Göttingen, Aug. 22, 1791. A German biblical scholar, profe or at Göttingen 1745-91. His works include an introduction to the New Testament (4th edition, 1788), "Supplement a" to Hebrew lexicons (1784-92), Mosaisches Recht" (1770-71), etc. Michael mas Day. See the extract.