ABIGAIL Ab'igail Earwig (Mrs.). Mrs. Masham, the favourite of Queen Anne, on the downfall of the Duchess of Marlborough. Abingdon Hospital, 1689; founded by John Mason of Abingdon, for the infirm, aged, and indigent. Abingdon Law. First hang the offender, then try him. So called from Major Brown of Abingdon, an officer in the parliamentary army. Abjuration Bill (The), 1690. A bill which required of everyone who took any public office or trust to swear by oath to recognise the right of the reigning sovereign to the crown under the Act of Settlement, promising to disclose any traitorous conspiracy, and abjuring the right of the Pretender. Enforced 1701, altered in the reigns of Anne, George L., and George III.; and repealed in 1858. Abjuration Oath (The). Formerly there were three oaths required of all persons before admission to any public office, viz. The Oath of Allegiance, The Oath of Supremacy, and The Abjuration Oath. The Abjuration Oath is that no foreign prince, state, or potentate, hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, or authority, ecclesiastical or civil, within the British realm. Enforced by Act 13 Will. III. c. 6 (1701). three oaths amalgamated into a declaraThe tion by Act 21, 22 Vict. c. 48 (July 18, 1858). Abjuration of Henri IV., 1593. The renunciation of Protestantism by Henri IV., for the purpose of securing the crown of France, and putting an end to civil war. Abo. I. (Peace of), 17, 18 Aug., 1748, between Sweden and Russia, effected by the mediation of England. II. (The Treaty of), 28 Aug., 1812, between Bernadotte, king of Sweden, and Alexander, the czar of Russia; effected by a personal conference of the two sovereigns. Abrahamites (4 syl.). I. A sect which, in the 9th cent., sprang up in the East, and revived at Antioch the tenets of the Paulicians. The founder was Ibraim or Abraham of Antioch. Cyriacus opposed the heretics while Charlemagno was in power. Pronounce A'-bram-mites. II. Bohemian deists (1782), who professed to be followers of John Huss, but reduced their religion to what they supposed was that of Abraham before his circumcision. The only part of the Bible which they retained was the Lord's Prayer. They were banished from Bohemia in 1783, and were scattered abroad in various parts of Hungary, Transylvania, and Slavonia. See above. Abraham's Call. His first call was out of Haran, which, according to Clinton, was in the autumn B.C. 2093. His second call was 4 May, B.C. 2055 (Gen. xii. 1). The reason why Abraham was called by God to leave Chaldea was Abraham-men. A class of sturdy beggars who simulated lunacy, and wandered about the country extorting money by working on the compassion or fears of those who passed by. A Tom o' Bedlam' was an Abraham-man or 'Abram Cove.' So called from the Abraham ward in the Bethlehem Hospital. Pronounce A'-brum men. Abrantes (Treaty of), 6 June, 1801, between Spain and Portugal. Signed at Abrantes, Estremadura, in Portugal. Absolute Loyalists. In the middle of the 17th cent. meant the friends and followers of the Duke of Montrose. The Engagers (q.v.) and the Whiggamors (q.v) were also in a measure supporters of the king; but there was no possibility of united action between them, and they only weakened the royal cause. Absolute Wisdom, 1821. Alderman Wood was so called. He was a staunch supporter of Queen Caroline, and being charged with having ill-advised the queen, he admitted that his advice might not be absolute wisdom,' and he was jocularly called 'Absolute Wisdom Wood.' Absolutists (The), 1819. The monarchical party of Spain, opposed to the radical 'Exaltados' (q.v.). They wished to restore the absolute power of the king, and consisted of the nobility in general, the clergy, and, what seems somewhat inconsistent, the lower orders. Of course the Absolutists wanted to abrogate the Constitution of 1812. Abstainers. Teetotalers, or those who abstain from alcoholic drinks. Abstinence societies are now generally called temperance societies. Established in America, at Boston, in 1826; in London (The British and Foreign Temperance Society) 1881; the National, in London, 1842. Abyssin'ian War (The). Between the British and Theodore, king of Abys sinia. This expedition (for the release of missionaries, Capt. Crawford and others) was under Sir R. Napier, who joined the army at Senafé, Jan. 1868. Col. Phayre defeated Theodore at Magdala 10 April, which was bombarded and taken on 18 April. The return of the British army commenced 18 April, 1868. Academic School of Philosophers (The). Founded by Plato the Athenian (B.c. 429-347), who taught in the Academy, a garden about a quarter of a mile from the city, in the north-western suburb. It belonged originally to Academos, and was adorned by Cimon, son of Miltiadès, the great general. Plato's disciples were called the Academ'ics, or Garden sect. Plato was the disciple of Socratės. Academ'ics (The). One of the Grecian sects in the early ages of Christianity. They maintained the total uncertainty of all sensuous impressions, and, therefore, the impossibility of man's knowing anything for certain. They doubted the existence of a God, they doubted the immortality of the soul, and doubted whether virtue was better than vice, or vice better than virtue. Academy (The). A London weekly journal, chiefly of reviews, commenced 9 Oct., 1869. Ac'amoth Plero'ma. With the ancient Gnostics, pleruma meant the fulness of knowledge, and acamoth, inferior wisdom. ACHEAN Accord' (The). So the Treaty of Edinburgh is called. This treaty was between Queen Elizabeth and the Scots for the evacuation of Scotland by the French; concluded 6 July, 1560. Accusative (The). John Calvin was so called by his companions (15091564). Also 'The pope of Geneva.' Acemetes (The), or 'Acœmeti' (i.e. Watchers), 5th cent. A religious order founded by St. Alexander, an Asiatic (died 430). So called because one of them was always to be on the 'watch.' That is, one of the three classes was to be in rotation performing service all day and all night (Greek, a-koimētos, sleepless). Pronounce As-se-me'-tees. Aceph'ali (The), 482. A faction among the Eutychians-heretics who denied the true manhood of Christ. Their founder was Peter Mongus, bishop of Alexandria, who renounced his error, and then his followers were without a head' (Greek, a-kephalé, headless). They were reconciled by Mark I. in 799. Subsequently those Christians who belonged to no special church, and acknowledged no ordained chief, like the Vaudois, were called Acephali (men without a head to their church). Pronounce A-sof'-fa-le (see below). Acephalites (The). Certain level. lers in the reign of Henry I., who ac knowledged no leader (see above). Pronounce A-sef'-fa-lites. Achæ'an League (The). A confederacy of the twelve towns of Achæa. It was dissolved by Alexander the Great, but reorganised B.C. 280, and again dissolved B.C. 147. The second of these leagues, founded at Megalopolis, contained all the chief cities of Peloponnesus. It contended with the Macedonians and the Romans for the liberty of Greece; but, being beaten at Scarphea by Metellus, and at Leucopetra by Mummius, it caved in soon after the taking of Corinth. The twelve cities of Achæa, in Ionia, wer founded by the Heraclidæ. Achæ'an War (The). Roman ambassadors at Corinth enjoin the dismemberment of the Achæan League and are insulted (B.c. 147). Kritolãos, general of the league, at once besieged Heracleia (B.C. 146), but was defeated at Scarphea ACHEMENIDES by Metellus, and slew himself. Diæos, successor of Kritolaos, was defeated at Lencopetra by Mummius (B.c. 146); Corinth was then destroyed; and all Greece was erected into a Roman province, Sept. 146. Achæmenides (The), also called Kai-anians, the sixth dynasty of Persia. The first four were fabulous, the fifth or Pishdadian dynasty was mythic, the sixth is semi-historic. It gave fourteen sovereigns, and lasted 329 years (E.c. 660-331), when Persia fell under the Greeks. Seat of government Ispahan. Kal-anians. Kai (mighty) called by the Greeks Kurios, and by the Latina Cyr-us, grandson of Achaemenes. The founder was Kai-hobad or Cyrus I. Pronounce Ak-ke-men'-e-decz. Achilles (The English). John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, 18781453. The Duke of Wellington is represented by a statue of Achilles of gigantic size once in Hyde Park, London, close to Apsley House (1709-1852). Achilles (The Second). Dentātus, the Roman tribune. It is said that he slew at different times 300 of the enemy; and when treacherously set upon by twenty-five of his countrymen, although, at the time, he was more than sixty years of age, he killed fourteen of them before he was slain. Achilles of Germany (The). Albrecht, elector of Brandenburg (14701187), was called the Achilles and also the Ulysses of Germany. He was the third son of Friedrich I., elector of Brandenburg. Achilles of Rome (The). Sicinius Dentātus (put to death B.C. 450). ACT Acolytes. Their original duties were to help the deacons or sub-deacons at the altar service, to prepare the wine and water for the communion, to light the lamps, to hold the candles, and to carry from place to place the consecrated elements. The word meant followers or attendants. These duties are now for the most part assigned to the sacristans. Pronounce Ak'-ko-lites. Acre-fight (An). A sort of duel by single combatants (English and Scotch) between the frontiers of the two kingdoms. (Cowell, 'Institutiones &c.') Achiropoetos. A picture of Christ and the Virgin made without human hands, i.e. miraculously (Greek, a-cheiropoietos). One of the best known is the picture of Christ preserved in the church of St. John of Lateran, at Rome. This picture is said to have been begun by St. Luke, and finished by angels; a Catholic tradition. Pronounce A-ki-ro-po-e'-tos. Acil'ian Law (The). I. B.c. 197, by C. Acilius, tribune of the people, about planting colonies on the coast. II. B.C. 101, by the tribune M. Acilius Glabrio, respecting extortion. Act for Uniformity (The), 1549 (2, 3 Edw. VI. c. 1), meaning 'uniformity of public worship.' It commanded the adoption of the new Liturgy throughout the kingdom, in place of the Latin Mass Book. Those who neglected to comply were liable to imprisonment for six months for the first offence, loss of their benefices for the second offence, and imprisonment for life for the third offence. Other Acts of Uniformity are 5, 6 Edw. VI. c. 1; 1 Eliz. c. 2; 18, 14 Car. II. c. 4. Act in pais. A thing done out of court, and not a matter of record. (Pais is the French word 'pays,' meaning in old law où l'on suit le droit.) Act of Cura'tory (in Scotch law). Extracted by the clerk upon anyone's acceptance of being curator. Act of Explanation (The), 1664. For the removal or modification of some of the most obnoxious clauses of the Act of Settlement in Ireland (q.v.). See 'Magna Charta of the Protestants of Ireland.' Act of Grace (The), 1696. Provides maintenance for debtors imprisoned by their creditors (Scotch law). In England it is usually applied to insolvent acts and general pardons at the beginning of a new reign, or on some very special occasion. to be spent in recouping the state the expenses it had been put to by the royalist rebellions. II. In 1660 (12 Car. II. c. 11). Indemnity for treason and state offences committed between 1 January, 1637, and 24 June, 1660. Act of Safety (The), 1789, in Swedish history. When Gustavus III, was abandoned by his nobles and chief military officers, he threw in his lot with the other three orders. These orders passed the Act of Safety, which conferred on the King of Sweden the same powers which are enjoyed by the English crown, viz. that of making peace and war. At the same time they granted him liberal supplies, and raised the army to 50,000 men. Act of Security (The), 1704. Passed by the Scotch parliament in the reign of Queen Anne, to the effect that unless a satisfactory settlement of the rights, liberties, and independence of Scotland should be obtained in the course of the present reign, the Scotch parliament would, on the queen's decease, meet and name a successor different from the person who succeeded to the English throne.' This led to the Act of National Union, which was ultimately carried 16 Jan., 1707. The first united parliament 23 Oct., 1707. Act of Separation (The), 1848. A voluntary resignation of livings and professorships signed by 470 of the Scotch presbyters, who protested against any interference with the free choice of ministers by their respective congregations. See Free Church of Scotland.' Act of Settlement (The). I. In 1653 an Act for the settlement of Irish confiscated estates. All Irish landowners charged with participation in the massacre of 1641 (q.v.) were absolutely deprived of all their lands. Those who had taken part with Charles in the civil war were deprived of two-thirds of their estates. The rest was partitioned among three classes of claimants, viz. the soldiers who had been in service before Cromwell arrived-the adventurers who had advanced money on the understanding that they were to be repaid in Irish landand Cromwell's own army. A portion of Wicklow and its vicinity was assigned to the first of these, nine counties were ACT divided between the other two classes of claimants. Connaught was reserved for the Irish. The counties of Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, and Cork, with the lands of bishops, deans, and chapters, were kept at the disposal of parliament. One county was set aside for Cromwell himself. II. In 1662 passed by the Irish parliament. First, all the confiscated lands of Ireland were vested in the hands of King Charles II., and were then confirmed to the adventurers and soldiers to whom they had been granted. All officers in the king's service before 1649 were to receive their arrears in land at the rate of 12s. 6d. in the pound. Protestants and innocent Papists, whose estates had been given to adventurers, were to have those estates restored, and the present holders were to be granted lands elsewhere of equal value. Those who had joined the king in exile were in like manner to be restored to their estates, and the present holders were to be 'reprised' by other holdings. See 'Settlement, Act of.' When James II. landed in Ireland, one of his first acts was to abolish this Act of Settlement so as to displace the Protestunt holders in favour of the Catholic claimants, 1689. Act of Succession (The). I. A.D. 1534 (25 Hen. VIII. c. 22), ordaining that the succession should descend with the issue of Anne Boleyn; thus setting aside Mary, the daughter of Katharine. II. In 1537 (28 Hen. VIII. c. 7), by which both the preceding marriages of the king were declared void, and both Mary and Elizabeth were illegitimatised, the succession being fixed on the issue of Jane Seymour. III. In 1701, whereby it was enacted that no Catholic should reign in England; and the succession was settled in the House of Hanover. Act of Uniformity (The), 1661. An Act passed in the reign of Charles II. obliging all clergymen to subscribe to the Thirty-nine Articles, in order to secure uniformity of doctrine and discipline in the national religion. Upwards of 2,000 persons who had been ministers during the Commonwealth refused to subscribe, and either threw up their 'livings' or were ejected from them. Act of Union (The), 1648. French history. An agreement of all the parlements of France to stand fast by each ACT other, and not suffer one parlement to be favoured more than the others. This Act was made by the lawyers because Mazarin had proposed to keep back, for four years, the salaries of all the parlements except that of Paris. The object of Mazarin was to sow discord among the lawyers and then strip them of their prerogatives. This Act and the 'Arret' (q.v.) led to the Fronde war. Act of 1870 (The). On the education of the children of the labouring classes. This was the first legislative provision for public elementary education in England and Wales. The Act of 1876 made it compulsory for every child to receive elementary education. Acts of 1848 (The). In Hungarian history. The Acts passed into law the Hungarian ideas of liberty, fraternity, and equality. They passed the Diet without opposition, and were proclaimed at Presburg, April 11, amidst the wildest enthusiasm, in the presence of Kaiser Ferdinand V. By these laws the privileges of the nobility were abolished, the soil was declared free, the right of free worship was accorded to all, liberty of the press was granted, and Transylvania was declared apart of the mother-country. Acts and Opponencies abolished in the University of Cambridge, 1839. They used to be held in Latin, and in syllogistic form. A proposition was stated, as a major premise; a minor was added; and an inference drawn. The respondent denied one of the three. The opponent supported his proposition, which was again denied. This went on, say five times, and then the respondent stated the reasons of his denial. If satisfactory, the moderator complimented him with 'bene disputasti,' or 'optime disputasti,' or optime quidem disputasti.' If he argued badly or failed altogether, the moderator said 'descendas,' and no degree was conferred on him. Acts of the Lords of the Council. Acts of committees of the Privy Council. If the sovereign is present the acts are called 'Orders in Council.' Acta, in ancient Rome, were public registers kept by actuaries. In these registers were officially entered the acts of the public assemblies; the acts of the senate; the judgments of the law courts; the births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Each register had its distinctive name, as Acta Populi, Acta Senatus, Acta Urbana, and so on. Acta Diur'na. A gazette published daily in ancient Rome, both under the republic and the empire, containing an abstract of the proceedings of public assemblies and law courts, the punishdeaths, and marriages, and so on. ment of offenders, public works, births, Julius Cæsar, B.C. 59, had the proceedings of the senate published in the Acta Diurna, but Augustus repealed this rule. It was not finally discontinued till A.D. 828. The Blue Book' of old Rome has been appealed to by historians as of the highest authority (Suetonius, In Cæsarem, xx.). Acts of the Apostles. A book of the New Testament containing a record of what was done by the apostles between the ascension of Christ and the first imprisonment at Rome of the apostle Paul. A part of it is supposed to have been written by Luke, the evangelist, and all of it to have been edited by him. Rosenmüller says it was written about 4.D. 65. Acta Pilati. An apocryphal report of the crucifixion, said to have been sent by Pilate to Tiberius. See 'Forgeries.' Acta Sancto'rum. Many folio vols., containing, in Latin, the lives of Christian saints, and based on the Acta Sincera of Heribert Rosweyde, on which he had laboured for twenty years. He died 1629, before it was printed. Father John Bolland (1596-1665) was entrusted with Rosweyde's collection, and associated with himself ten others, who brought down the work to 1753, in 32 folio vols. This ended series 1. In 1789 John Limpen and six others carried the work down to 1782, closing series 2. A 3rd series was begun after the dispersion of the Jesuits, and five new vols. were added by John Baptist Fonson with four assistants, bringing down the hagiography to the year 1826, and completing the 53rd vol. In 1837 a new society of Bollandists was organised under the sanction of the Belgian government, who brought the work down to 1855. In 1875 the 61st vol. was published and others have been added since. |