Dominica is of voleanic origin

with many hot and sulphurous springs. The capital of the island is Roseau, a port on the W. coast, with a population of 4,500. Dominica is a member of the Leeward Islands colony, but has its own president, treasury, and local legislature. The majority of the inhabitants are Roman Catholics. Dominica was dis: covered by Columbus, on his seconc voyage, on Sunday (whence its name Dominica -—~ “‘ the Lord’s Day ”), Nov 8, 1493. It was a source of strife tc French and Le till 1648, when i was formally declared by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle a neutral island: but in 1759 it was captured by Eng land, and in 1763 ceded by France, who, however, held it again in 1778- 1783, and in 1802-1814, when it was finally restored to England.; Dominican. 1. One of a religious: order called in some places Preed i can tes or Preaching Friars, and in France Jacobins, from their first convent in Paris being in the Rue St. Jacobin. They took their ordinary name from their founder, Dominic de Guzman (afterward canonized under the name of St. Dominic). They were under a vow of absolute poverty. In England they were called Black Friars, and in 1276 the Corporation of London gave them two streets near the Thames, where they erected a large convent, whence that part is still called Black friars. The Do mini cans always took a principal part in the Inquisition. 2. One of an order of nuns founded by St. Dominic under the same rules as the friars, but devoted to industry. 8. One of an order of knights founded by St. Dominic, for the purpose of putting down heresy by force of arms.