RITUAL. Consisting of, or pertaining to, rites; the service of any church. ROBERTSON, WILLIAM, D. D., a celebrated historian, native of Scotland. His first and greatest work was a history of Charles V. He died at Edinburgh, 1793. ROBESPIERRE, MAXIMILIAN ISIDORE. the chief actor in the French, Revolution. After hastening the king's death, and persecuting his family, he prevailed on the convention to send to the guillotine Danton, Hebert, and others who had been his ministers and associates. He was at last himself carried to the scaffold with 22 of his accomplices, amidst the hisses, groans, and rejoicings of the people. Guillotined July 28th, 1794. ROCHELLE, a fortified seaport town of France. In the religious wars it was a stronghold of the Protestants. ROCHESTER, JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF, a witty but profligate nobleman of the court of Charles II. and the personal friend and favorite of the king. ROCK-RIBBED, enclosed or ribbed in by rocks. ROGERS. SAMUEL, appeared first as an author in 1786. He was born at Newington Green, a village now included in London, in the year 1762. ROLAND, MADAME, a beautiful and accomplished lady, born at Paris, 1754. Her husband, at the commencement of the French Revolution, espoused the cause of the people and was made minister of the interior. His wife assisted him, preparing many of his political papers, and taking an active part in the political affairs of the time. Her husband, on the downfall of his party, fled for safety. Madame Roland was arrested, and. after five months' imprisonment, guillotined, November 8th, 1793, aged 41. ROLLIN, CHARLES. an eminent historian, born at Paris, in 1661. ROMANTIC, wild; fanciful. ROME, the most celebrated city of ancient and modern times. Its original site was the Palatine Hill, and its houses. rude huts merely, were enclosed by a wall. ROMULUS, Romulus was the supposed REMUS. S founder and first king of Rome, 753 B. c.; Remus his brother. Many historians consider the account of these brothers fabulous; but it is related that they quarreled and Romulus slew Remus, for having in derision leaped over the walls of the city he had built. ROSCOE, WILLIAM. an eminent biographer and miscellaneous writer, died 1831. ROSETTA, a seaport town of Lower Egypt. It was taken by the French in 1798, and besieged by the English in 1807. ROUSSEAU, JEAN JACQUES, born at Geneva in 1712. He was a most eloquent writer, and singular character. By his writings he exercised great influence, and contributed largely to those opinions on religious and social questions which resulted in the French Revolution. ROUNDELAY, a Song; properly a kind of ancient poetry. ROUT, a rabble; a clamorous multitude; an uproar. ROWEL, the little wheel of a spur formed with sharp points. Royal cross-trees. Pieces of timber placed where the top-gallant mast connects with the royal-mast. RUDDY, of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in high health. RUES. regrets; laments. RUNIC, an epithet applied to the language and letters of ancient Goths. Rus in Urbe, the country in the midst of the city. RUSSET, of a reddish brown color; rustic. RUTH, mercy; pity; tenderness. SACK-CLOTH, a coarse cloth. This word is chiefly used to denote a garment worn in mourning, distress, or mortification. SACRILEGE, the crime of violating or profaning sacred things. SAGACIOUS, acute in discernment or penetration. SAGE, a wise and venerable old man. SAINT ANDRE, the great plain of Ivry extended beyond the village of St. André. This plain contained several villages and a small wood. SALLY, a spring or darting of the intellect, fancy, or imagination. SALUBRIOUSLY, so as to promote health. Samnite's rage to dare. The Samnites were an ambitious and fierce Italian nation, who, though often overpowered by the superior force of the Roinans, neglected no casion of rising against them. They were finally subdued by Sylla, who, it is said. declared Rome would enjoy no rest so long as a number of Samnites could be gathered together. SANCTION, authority. SANDAL, a kind of shoe, consisting of a sole, fastened to the foot. SANGUINARY, bloody; attended with much bloodshed. SANGUINE, red; having the color of blood. SARCOPHAGE, A stone coffin or tomb. SARDANAPALUS, the last Assyrian king. His character was infamous, and two of his officers conspired to dethrone him. Being besieged and beaten, he burned himself in his palace with his slaves, treasures, and favorites. SARDONYX, a stone or gem of a reddish yellow, or nearly orange color. SARMATIA. The kingdom of Poland was a part of the ancient Sarmatia. SATELLITE. a secondary planet or moon; a small planet revolving around another. SATIATED, filled; gratified to the utmost. SATURN, a planet of the solar system, next in magnitude to Jupiter, but more fistant from the sun. See also Lesson CXXV, SAVANS, literary men. SAVANNA. a plain destitute of trees and covered with grass SCAN, to scrutinize. SCHILLER, J. C. F., an eminent German poet, who died in 1805. School of sperms, a shoal or compact body of sperm whales. SCIAN wine, wine of a superior quality made on the island of Scio. SCIENCE, in a general sense, knowledge, or certain knowledge; the comprehension or understanding of truth or facts by the mind. In philosophy, a collection of general principles or leading truths relating to any subject arranged in systematic order. SCIENTIFIC truth, truth demonstrated by science. SCIO, a rich and beautiful island off the W. coast of Asia Minor, belonging to Turkey. In 1822. some of its inhabitants having joined the Samians in the Greek revolution, nearly the whole population (from 120.000 to 130.000) were massacred or sold into slavery by the Turks. SCION, a young shoot, sprig, or sprout of a SCRUTINIZING, searching closely; inquiring into. SEARED, burned; cauterized; withered. SEDENTARY, inactive; motionless; accustomed to sit much. SEDITION. turbulence; a factious commotion of people. SEED, progeny; offspring; descendants. SEER. one who foresees future events. SEETHING, boiling; decocting. SELF-COMPLACENCY, self-satisfaction. SENATE, a body of the principal inhabitants of a city or state invested with a share in the government. The senate of ancient Rome was one of the most illustrious bodies of men that ever bore this name. SENECA, an orator, statesman, and philosopher of Rome. He was the instructor of the Emperor Nero, and was finally put to death by his order. SENIOR, older in office; more advanced in life. SENIORITY, eldership; superior age. SENSATION, in mental philosophy, an impression made upon the mind through the medium of the senses. SENTENTIOUS, short and energetic. SENTIENT, that perceives; having the faculty of perception. SENTIMENT, a thought prompted by passion or feeling; sensibility. SENTIMENTALIST, one that effects fine feeling or exquisite sensibility. SEPULCHER, a grave; a tomb. SERAPHIC, sublime; angelic. SERE, dry; withered. SERENE, calm; unruffled; undisturbed. SERGEANT (sar'jent), in England, formerly, an officer whose duty was to attend on the king, and on the lord high steward in court, to arrest traitors, and other offend ers. SEXIES, a continued succession of things in the same order. SERRIED, crowded; compacted. SHAFT, anything straight. SHAKSPEARE, WILLIAM. born at Stratfordupon-Avon, 1564. He was an actor as well as poet, but his fame rests chiefly on his dramatic writings, which entitle him to be called the "immortal bard." He died in 1616 at the age of 52, and was buried in the church at Stratford. In 1741 a noble monument was raised to his me mory in Westminster Abbey. SHAMBLES, the place where butcher's meat is sold; a flesh market. Shambles of every German despot, In the American Revolution, the British obtained troops for hire from some of the German provinces. These troops were called Hessians, and the word Hessian was long used as a term of reproach for one guilty of meanness. SHARE, the broad iron blade of a plow which cuts the ground. SHELLEY, PERCY BYSSHE, an English poet, who was drowned in a storm, in his own sail-boat, on the Gulf of Spezzia, in Italy, in 1822, aged 29. SHERIDAN, RICHARD BRINSLEY, a dramatist, statesman, and wit, born in Dublin, 1751. After achieving a reputation as a writer of comedy, he turned his attention to polities, and obtained a seat in Parliament. His last years were spent in poverty and neglect, brought on by his own improvi dence. Died in 1816. SHERIFF, an officer to whom is intrusted the execution of the laws, SHRIFT, confession made to a priest. SHRIVE, to administer confession. mast to the right and left sides of a ship. SIDDONS, MRS. SARAH, the most eminent of English actresses. She retired from the stage in 1812. and died in 1831. SIDNEY, SIR PHILIP, an accomplished states man and poet; a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. He died in his 32d year, in a skirmish with the Spaniards. SIEGE, the surrounding or investing of a SIGNAL eminent; remarkable; memorable. SIMULTANEOUS, existing or happening at the SONORIFIC (L. Sonus, sound, and facio, to same time. SINISTER, evil; perverse; dishonest. SITE, situation; local position. SKIPPER, the master of a small trading or SKIRT, border; margin: extreme part. SKURRYING, moving with haste or impetuosity. SKY SAIL pole. The sky-sail is next above the royal. SLAUGHTER, bathed in, red with the blood of the slain. Sleeps have pissed, nights. SMELTING furnace, a furnace for melting ore. SMITH, DR. ADAM. a celebrated Scotch writer on morals and political economy. Died in Edinburgh in 1790. SMITH, CAPT. JOHN, a military officer and traveler whose life was saved by Pocahontas in 1607. SMITH, HORACE, joint author with his brother James of the famous "Rejected Addresses;" afterward distinguished as a novelist. Born in London in 1779. Died 1819. SMITH, REV. SIDNEY, one of the wittiest and SMOULDERED, burned without vent. SOCIAL ladder. To climb the social ladder SOCRATES, born at Athens about B. C. 470. This most eminent Grecian philosopher was condemned to die by poison, at the age of 70, on a charge of impiety. "The best," said Plato, "of all men of this time, the wisest and most just of all men." SODDEN, boiled; seethed. make), producing sound. SONOROUS, giving sound when struck. SOOTHLESS, truthless; lying. SOPHISTRY, fallacious reasoning. SOPHOCLES, a celebrated tragic poet, born in a village near Athens, B. C. 495. Seven only of his plays are known at the present day. SOUTHEY, ROBERT, late Poet Laureate of England, a poet, scholar, antiquary, critic, and historian." Died 1843. SOUTHEY, MRS. CAROLINE BOWLES, the second wife of the poet, herself a favorite writer. SPANNED, extended across. SPANNING, reaching from one side to the other. SPARKS, JARED, REV., born at Willington, Connecticut, about 1794, McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History at Har vard University from 1839 to 1849, and President of that institution from 1849 to 1852. He has "added sixty-six volumes of national interest to the libraries of the country," including the correspondence and political writings of Washington, of Franklin, and of the eminent men of the Revolution. SPAR, a crystallized earthy mineral of shining lustre. SPARTA, a celebrated city of Greece. The Specific gravity, the weight that belongs to SPECULA, mirrors employed in optical instru- SPECULATION, mental scheme; theory. SPENDTHRIFT, a prodigal; one who lavishes SPHERICAL, having a surface in every part SOJOURNER. a traveler who remains in a place SPIED. espied; saw; discovered. SOLAR. pertaining to the sun. SPOIL, the plunder taken from an enemy. SPONTANEOUS, proceeding from natural feeling without constraint; acting by its own impulse, energy, or natural law. SPONTANEOUSLY, by its own force or energy; SPURGEON, REV. C. II., a young and popular ST. ANGELO, Castle of, the citadel of Rome, STAPLE, the material or substance of a thing. STAUNCH, strong; hearty; steady. STEREOTYPED, formed in a fixed unchange- STERLING, genuine; pure. STIGMATIZED, marked with disgrace. STOIC, a disciple of the philosopher Zeno. STOLID, dull; foolish; stupid. ST. PAUL'S Cathedral, in London. Its foundations were laid in 1675, and it was finished in 1710. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who lived to witness its completion. Side by side, under its dome, lie England's greatest admiral and general of modern times, Nelson and Wellington. ST. PETER'S Cathedral, at Rome, the largest and most beautiful church ever erected. Its floor covers five acres, and it has cost, including its monuments and embellishments, from sixty to eighty millions of dollars. It was begun by Bramanti, in 1506, but carried on by Michael Angelo and Raphael. Dedicated November 18th, 1626. STRABO, a celebrated Greek historian and geographer. STRAFFORD, EARL OF, THOMAS WENTWORTH, an eminent statesman and minister, born in London, in 1593. He perished on the -scaffold in 1641. STRAND, a beach or shore 47 STRASBOURG, at one time a free town, governed as a republic, now united to France. The famous cathedral has a spire higher even than that of St. Peter's at Rome. STRATA, beds; layers. STREET, A. B., contributor to numerous STUPENDOUS, wonderful: amazing. SUBSIDENCE, a falling or sinking. tribune; now known as a historian and SUFFICE, to satisfy; to be equal to the de- SUFFRAGE, vote; a voice given in the choice SUGGESTED, hinted; intimated. SUNDERED, separated; divided: parted. SUPERFLUOUS, unnecessary; useless. SUPERNATURAL, being beyond or exceeding SUPERSTITION, false religion; false worship. SURGE, to swell; to rise high and roll. Overcome. SURPLICE, a white garment worn over their SWAIN, CHARLES, a contributor to English SWAN OF AVON, Shakspeare. SWART, being of a dark hue; tawny. SWATHED, bound with a bandage or rollers. SWEEPS, large oars used in small vessels to impel them during a calm, or to increase their speed during a chase. SWIFT, JONATHAN, Dean of St. Patrick's. Born in Dublin, though of English descent. He was the most famous satirist of Queen Anne's time. His most noted works are "The Drapier's Letters." the "Tale of a Tub," and "Gulliver's Travels." Died 1745, aged 77. SWIVEL, a small cannon carrying a shot of half a pound, fixed in a swivel or socket. SYMBOL, an emblem or representation of something else. SYMMETRY, the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole. SYMPHONIOUS, agreeing in sound; accordant; harmonious. Tabernacle of flesh, house; dwelling. Tables of the law, Exodus xxiv. 12, and xxxii. 15, 16. TACITUS, CAIUS CORNELIUS, a Roman historian. TACKING, changing a ship's course. TACT, peculiar skill or faculty. TACTICS, Science and art of disposing military and naval forces in order of battle. TAFFEREL, the upper part of a ship's stern. TAKING THE VEIL, becoming a nun; taking the vows of a religious life. TALMUD, the body of Hebrew laws, traditions, and explanations, or the book that contains them. It consists of two parts: the Mischna and the Gemara; the former being the written law, and the latter a collection of traditions and comments of the Jewish doctors. TANTALIZE, to torment by presenting some good to the view and exciting desire, but continually frustrating the expectations by keeping that good out of reach. TAPESTRY, a kind of woven hangings of wool and silk, often enriched with gold and silver, representing figures of men, animals, landscapes, &c. TARGE, a shield or buckler of a small kind. TARTAN, Woolen cloth, checkered or crossbarred, with threads of various colors. TASMANIA, or Van Diemen's Land. TAYLOR, JANE, the daughter of an artist in London; she published several poems and some prose tales. Died 1823. TECHNICAL, belonging to a particular profession. TE DEUM (from the first words "Te Deum Laudamus;" we praise Thee, O God), a hymn to be sung in churches on occasions of joy. TEEMING, fruitful; prolific. TEGUMENT, a cover; or covering; used in reference to the human body. TELL, WILLIAM, the hero of Switzerland, who, as the story comes down to us, was condemned by the Austrian governor to shoot an apple from the head of his own son. He was famous for his skill in archery, for his strength and courage, and contributed much to the emancipation of his country. Tell, as is supposed, lost his life in an inundation in 1350. TEMERITY, rashness; extreme boldness. TEMPE, a valley of European Turkey, the beauty of whose scenery was much celebrated by ancient writers. TEMPLAR, Templars, Knights of the Temple, a religious, military order, which origi nated in 1118, with persons who devoted themselves to the service of God, promising to live in perpetual chastity, obedience, and poverty. This order became immensely rich, and its members so insolent, that it was suppressed in 1312, by the council of Vienna. TENDENCY, direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result. TENNYSON, ALFRED, born in Lincolnshire, England, educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. His first volume of poems was published in 1830. TERM, end; terminate. TERRACE, a balcony or open gallery. TESSELATE, to lay with checkered work. TESSELATED, formed into little squares or mosaic work. TESTIFIED, declared; expressed; showed. TETE-A-TETE (täte'-a-tāte'), private conversation. Thanatopsis, vision of death. THEBES. The remains of this famous city extend for seven miles along both banks of the Nile, and present the finest collection of ancient monuments in the world. It was at the height of prosperity when David and Solomon reigned in Judes. The Bob O'Linkum, The rice bird or reed bird, popularly so called from his note. The Fiery Duke, Mayenne. THEMISTOCLES, an Athenian statesman, born in the latter part of the 6th century B. C. THEORIZINGS, speculations. The Persian King, Darius, defeated by Alexander. The Poppied God, Morpheus, the god of sleep, represented as holding a poppy stalk in his hand. THERMOPYLE, a famous pass in Greece, where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans died in defending Greece against the invasion of Xerxes, B c. 489. The pass, about five miles long, is hemmed in on one side by precipitous rocks of from 400 to 600 feet high, and on the other side by the sea and an impassable morass. The second ark. The press is here spoken of as the second ark. because it brings relief to the poor and oppressed, and, where it has perfect freedom, speaks boldly out against tyranny in every form. Thirty tyrants. Thirty magistrates who were set up in Athens by the Lacedæmonians when they conquered that city at the close of the Peloponnesian war, about the year 400 A. c. They ruled with great cruelty, and have received the name of the thirty tyrants. THESSALY, one of the southern provinces of European Turkey. THOMSON, JAMES, a Scotchman by birth author of the "Seasons," whose publica tion was an era in the history of English poetry. Died 1748. THOREAU, HENRY D., a graduate of Har vard University in 1837; author of “A |