Rais

See Retz. Raisin (rā'zn). A river in southern Michigan which flows into Lake Erie 34 miles south-southwest of Detroit. Length, about 125 miles. For the battle fought on it in 1813, see French town. Rajagriha (rä-ja-gri'ha). [King's house'; in Pali Rajagaha .] The Girivraja of the Ramayana, the modern Rajgir in Behar. It was the capital of Magadha, and one of the scenes of Buddha's preaching. Near it was the Veluvana ('bamboo grove') which King Bimbisara gave to Buddha, and in which Buddha delighted to dwell. Rajahmundry (rä-jä-mun'drē), or Rajamahendri (rä-jä-mä-hen'drē). A town in Godavari district, Madras, British India, situated on the Godavari about lat. 17° N., long. 81° 48′ Ε. Population (1891), 28,397. Rajashekhara (rä-ja-sha'k-ha-ra). A Hindu dramatist who lived about 900 A. D. (Von Schröder). He was the author of three Sanskrit dramas, the "Balaramayana" ("Exploits of Balarana"), the "Prachandapandava" ("The Wrathful Sons of Pandu "), and the "Viddhashalabhanjika" ("The Wounded Doll"), and of a Prakrit drama, the "Karpuramanjari" ("Cluster of Camphor-blo oms"). Raj at a rang in i (rä-ja-ta-rang'gi-nē). [Skt., Stream of Kings.'] À Sanskrit chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, written about 1148 A. D. by Kalhana. It is remarkable as almost the only work in Sanskrit literature which has any historical value. There is a French translation by Troyer. Rajeshaye, or Rajeshahi. See Rajshahi . Rajputana, or Rajpootana (räj-pö-tä'na). A name given collectively to twenty native states in India, under British protection, situated in the northwestern part of the country. The chief states are Bikanir, Jaipur, Jaisalmir, Marwar, and Mewar. The ruling people are the Rajputs. The region formed part of the Mogul empire; it was subjugated by the Mah 12,016,102. rattas. Area, 130,268 square miles. Population (1891), Rajputs, or Rajpoots (räj-pöts'). [From Hindu rajput , a prince, son of a raja.] The members of the Hindu race (divided into numerous clans) who regard themselves as descendants of the ancient Kshatriya, or warrior caste. They are the ruling (though not the most numerous) race of the great region named from them Rajputana, consisting of several different states. Their hereditary profe ion is that of arms, and no race in India has furnished so large a number of princely families. The Rajputs are not strict adherents of Brahmanism. Rajshahi (räj-shä'hē), or Rajeshaye (rä-jeshä'e). 1. A division in Bengal, British India. Area, 18,735 square miles. Population (1881), 8,336,399.-2. A district in the Rajshahi division, intersected by lat. 24° 30′ N., long. 89° E. Area, 2,330 square miles. Population (1891), 1,313,336. Rakas Tal (rä käs täl), or Ravan Hrad (rävän' hräd). A sacred lake in Tibet, situated about lat. 30° 45′ N. It is one of the sources of the Sutlej. Circumference, about 50 miles. Rake's Progre , The. A series of 8 pictures by Hogarth (1735), in the Soane Museum, London. The subject is the descent of a rich young man, through di ipation, to poverty, despair, and madne . Rákóczy (rä'kōt-sē), Francis II. Died at Rodosto, Turkey, April 8, 1735. A Hungarian statesman, leader of the insurrection of 17031711. He was chosen prince of Transylvania 1704, and a umed the government 1707. He left Hungary after the peace of 1711. Rákóczy, George I. Died Oct., 1648. Prince of Transylvania 1631-48. In alliance with the Swedes, he invaded Hungary and Moravia 16441645. Rákos (rä'kōsh), Field of. A large plain near Budapest, Hungary, east of the Danube. Many Hungarian Diets ha Hungarian Diets have met here. It was the scene of several combats in 1849. Rakow (rä'kov). A small town in the government of Radom, Ru ian Poland, near Kielce. It was the center of the Polish Socinians in the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th. Rakshasa (rä'ksha-sa). [Skt., from rakshas , hurt, injury, and then personified 'injurer.' An evil demon. The Rakshasas play a great part in Hindu belief. According to some they are divided into three cla es, one being semi-divine and ranking with the Yakshas, another being like the Titans and relentle enemies of the gods, while a third are imps and goblins that go about at night, haunting cemeteries, disturbing sacrifices, animating dead bodies, ensnaring and even devouring human beings. Some have long arms, some are fat, some thin, some dwarfish, some tall and humpbacked, some have only one eye, some only one ear, some enormous paunches, projecting teeth, and crooked thighs, while others can a ume beautiful forms. Raleigh (ra'li). [Named after Sir Walter Raleigh.] A city, capital of North Carolina and of Wake County, situated in lat. 35° 47′ N. It has an important trade in cotton, and considerable manufactures. It is called "the City of Oaks." It was laid out in 1792. Population (1890), 12,678. Raleigh (originally Ralegh), Sir Walter. Born at Hayes, Devons hire, 1552: executed at London, Oct. 29, 1618. An English courtier, officer, colonizer, historian, and poet. After a short residence at Oriel College, Oxford, he entered the Huguenot army (1569), returning to England in 1576 (?). In 1580 he commanded an English company in Munster, Ireland. In 1582 he was in Leicester's suite at Antwerp. He was a favorite of Elizabeth. In 1585 he became warden of the stannaries and vice-admiral of Devon and Cornwall; in 1587 he was captain of the guard. In 1584 he obtained a charter of colonization, and sent Amidas and Barlow to explore the region which he called Virginia. In 1585 he despatched a fleet of colonists, who landed on Roanoke Island, but were brought back by Drake the following year. In 1587 he despatched another body of emigrants, which settled in Roanoke Island, but which had disappeared when a relief-expedition reached the island in 1590. In 1584 he introduced the potato in Munster. In 1588 he took an active part against the Armada. He introduced Spenser to Elizabeth, and persuaded him to publish the "Faerie Queene." For his seduction and marriage of Elizabeth Throckmorton he was imprisoned in the Tower. In 1595 he sailed for Trinidad and ascended the Orinoco. In 1596 he commanded a squadron under Howard and E ex in the expedition which destroyed the Spanish fleet at Cadiz. In 1597 he captured Fayal in the Azores. On the acce ion of James I. in 1603, Raleigh was charged with a plot to place Arabella Stuart on the throne, and was imprisoned in the Tower. In the Tower he devoted himself to chemical experiments, and wrote as much of his "History of the World" as was ever finished. In 1616 he was released to command another expedition to Guiana and the Orinoco. The expedition was a failure, and on his return he was condemned and executed. Encyc. Brit. Ralik, or Ralick (rä'lik), Islands. A chain of islands in the Pacific, nearly parallel with the Radack chain, and with it forming the Marshall group. Ralph (ralf, in Great Britain often raf or råf), James. Born at Philadelphia: died at Chiswick, England, Jan. 24, 1762. An English pamphleteer, historical writer, poet, and play wright. Ralph Roister Doister (rois'ter do is'ter). A comedy by Nicholas Udall, probably written between 1534 and 1541, to be played by Eton boys,