DALMAU

woodcut, after an early Christian painting on a wall in the catacombs at Rome. It was originally of linen, but it is now generally made of the same heavy silk as the Chasuble (q.v.). Dalmau, a city of Oudh, on the left bank of the Ganges, 60 miles NW. of Allahabad, with a magnificent Hindu temple. Pop. 5367. Dalmelling ton, an Ayrshire village, near the river Doon, 15 miles SE. of Ayr by rail. In its

Dalmatic.

vicinity are many active collieries and ironworks. Pop. of the village alone (1881) 1437. Dalriada (the home of the descendants of Riada'), the ancient name of a territory in Ireland, comprehending what is now called 'the Route,' or the northern half of County Antrim. Its inhabitants were Scots of Gaelic race living in the midst of a Pictish population, and a number of them crossed over to Argyll in 498 and founded there another kingdom of Dalriada. More than twenty kings of this state are enumerated before Kenneth MacAlpin, who, about 843, united under one sceptre the Dalriads or Scots and the Picts, and thus became the first king of Alban, which about two centuries afterwards began to be known as Scotia or Scotland.

Dalry, a town of Ayrshire, on the Garnock, 23 miles SW. of Glasgow. Pop. (1851) 2706; (1881) 5010, this growth being due to the establishment of neighbouring ironworks in 1845.-For the skirmish at Ďalry, near Tyndrum, see BRUCE.

Dalrymple, ALEXANDER, hydrographer, was a younger brother of Sir David Dalrymple, Lord

Hailes, and was thus a member of an old and illustrious Scottish family (for its chief members, see STAIR and HAILES); he was born at New Hailes, near Edinburgh, 24th July 1737. At fifteen he sailed for Madras as writer in the East India Company's service, and after a few years' dreary work began to attract the notice of his superiors by his industry and intelligence. In 1759 he made a voyage of observation among the eastern islands, and after returning to Madras in 1762, was sent to open up the trade with Sulu, reaching Canton late in 1764. In 1775 he went to Madras as a member of council, but was recalled two years after on an unfounded charge of misconduct. He became hydrographer to the East India Company in 1779, and to the Admiralty in 1795, and died, three weeks after his summary dismissal from the latter office, 19th June 1808.

Dalrymple, SIR JAMES, was the second son of Sir James Dalrymple, baronet, afterwards first Viscount Stair. He was called to the Scottish bar in 1675, and ultimately became one of the chief clerks of the Court of Session, and a Nova Scotia baronet in 1698. He was a sound antiquary, and his work entitled Collections concerning the Scottish History preceding 1153 (Edin. 1705) is still of value. Dalton, JOHN, chemist and physicist, was born 6th September 1766, at Eaglesfield, near Cockermouth, in Cumberland, and was the son of a Quaker weaver. He received his early education at a

Quaker school in his native place, and, after 1781, in a boarding-school kept by a relative in Kendal, of which three years later he and a brother became the proprietors. Here his love of mathematical and physical studies was first developed. He wrote several mathematical essays, and in 1787 commenced a journal of meteorological observations, which he continued throughout his whole life, recording in all 200,000 observations. He collected butterflies, and gathered a great hortus siccus and herbarium. In 1793 he was appointed teacher of mathematics and the physical sciences in New Col lege, Manchester: after the removal of the college to York in 1799, he supported himself in Manchester by private tuition. In 1803 he lectured at the Royal Institution. His Meteorological Observations (1793), dealing largely with auroras, contained the germs of many of his future discoveries. In 1794 he first described the phenomena of colour-blindness, observed by him in his own case and that of his brother, and often called Daltonism. In 1808-10 he published his New System of Chemical Philosophy, to which he added the first part of a second volume in 1827. In 1817 he was appointed president of the Manchester Philosophical Society. He was also a member of the Royal Society, and an associate of the Paris Academy, and of several other foreign societies. In 1833 he received a pension of £150, afterwards raised to £300. In the same year Dalton's friends and fellow-townsmen collected £2000, to raise a statue to his honour, which was executed by Chantrey, and placed at the entrance of the Royal Institution in Manchester. Oxford gave him its D.C.L., and Edinburgh, LL.D. He was twice a vice-president of the British Association. In 1837 he had a shock of paralysis, and he died, universally respected, at Manchester, July 27, 1844. researches were on the constitution of mixed gases, on the force of steam, on the elasticity of vapours, In and on the expansion of gases by heat. chemistry, he distinguished himself by his development of the atomic theory, as also by his researches on the absorption of gases by water, on carbonic acid, carburetted hydrogen, &c. Dalton was unquestionably one of the greatest chemists that any intuitive, he had precisely the faculties requisite country has produced. Profound, patient, and for a great scientific discoverer. His atomic theory elevated chemistry into a science. In his habits, Dalton was simple; in manners, grave and reserved, but kindly, and distinguished by his truthfulness and integrity of character. He never found time' to marry. See the Lives of him by Dr Angus Smith (1836), Dr Henry (1854), and Lonsdale (1874); and the article ATOMIC THEORY.

Dalton-in-Furness, a town of Lancashire, 16 miles WNW. of Lancaster, communicating with the sea by a canal (3 miles). It has extensive malting and ironworks; and the ruins of Furness Abbey (q.v.) are in the vicinity. Romney was a native. Pop. (1861) 2812; (1890) 13,300.

Daltonism. See COLOUR-BLINDNESS. Dalyell, or DALZELL, THOMAS, a Scottish general famed for his zeal in the repression of the Covenanters, was born about 1599, the son of Thomas Dalyell of Binns, Linlithgowshire. Entering the army at an early age he was made a general major of foot by Charles II. in 1650; and excluded from Cromwell's Act of Grace, he entered the service of Russia and distinguished himself in the wars against the Tartars and Turks. At the request of Charles II. he was permitted to return home, and in 1666 was appointed commander-inchief in Scotland with the view of repressing the Covenanters. On 28th November he defeated them at Rullion Green, in the Pentlands, and, in Burnet's

662

DAM

words, acting the Muscovite too grossly,' made his name a byword of terror. A very devoted royalist, he is said never to have shaved his beard after the execution of Charles I. He died 23d August 1685. Dam. See WEIR, COFFERDAM.

Damages, in Law, are the pecuniary reparation due for loss or injury sustained by one person through the fault or negligence of another. Where a sum ascertained in amount is due, the action is one not properly for damages, but of debt. But where the sum is not ascertained, as where an injury has been done to a man's character or property, the action can in general only be for damages the amount of which the injured party estimates, and which is determined by the judgment of the court or verdict of a jury. When parties to a contract agree that if the contract be broken, a specified sum of money shall be paid, this sum is spoken of as liquidated damages, a sum agreed upon to save the trouble of ascertaining the actual damage done. Nominal damages are those given to a plaintiff who establishes his right, but has not shown that he has suffered actual loss. Exemplary or vindictive damages are given not only to compensate the injured party, but to punish the offender, as in actions for damages by fraud, seduction, and the like. Damages ultra are additional damages claimed by a plaintiff over and above those paid into court by a defendant. Every person is liable in damages for injuries caused by culpable neglect or ignorance. Professional persons are liable to make reparation of loss occasioned through their want of ordinary skill in their calling. Railway companies and steamboat owners are liable for injuries to person or property caused by the fault of themselves or their servants. The principal rules according to which damages are awarded are, that the damage is measured by the actual pecuniary loss, when ascertainable; that the injury suffered must be the immediate consequence of the faulty act or omission; and that all the parties concerned in committing a wrong are liable each for the full amount of damages to the injured party.

In the United States, the same general principles apply as in England. But the tendency of modern legislation, instead of restricting actions for damages to cases in which the restitution of property and the enforcement of rights are involved, is gradually being extended to cases involving civil injury arising from criminal negligence. This has been made necessary from the great powers granted corporations by law. Damages for the infringe ment of patents and copyrights may by act of congress be double or treble the verdict of a jury, at the discretion of the court. See COSTS, LIABILITY. Daman', an outlying portion of the Punjab, extending along the right bank of the Indus, and as far back as the Suliman Mountains.

Daman', a Portuguese settlement and port in the province of Gujarat, on the Gulf of Cambay, 100 miles N. of Bombay. The settlement consists of Daman proper (22 sq. m.), and the parganá of Nagar Havili (60 sq. m.), to the east. Pop. (1881) of the former, 21,622; of the latter, 27,462, nearly all Hindus. The climate is generally healthy, the soil moist and fertile. The magnificent teak forests of Nagar Havili provide excellent timber for shipbuilding, for which Daman has some celebrity. The port, guarded by two forts, stands at the mouth of the Daman-Ganga, a deep, navigable stream, with a bar at its mouth, while outside is an excellent roadstead. Although the Portuguese have held Nagar Havili since 1780 only, Daman has been occupied by them since 1558. It formerly was noted for its weaving and dyeing, and exported its own fabrics to the

DAMASCENING

coast of Africa, besides large quantities of opium to China. The opium trade, however, has been stopped, and the chief industry, beyond the weaving of cotton cloth, and of bamboo mats and baskets, is now the deep-sea fishing, in which about 4500 men are engaged.

Daman. See HYRAX.

Daman-i-Koh ('skirts of the hills'), a tract of hilly country in Bengal, reserved for the Santals and other primitive races. Area, 1366 sq. m.; pop. (1881) 353,413.

Dam'araland, a territory in the west of South Africa, between Namaqualand and Ovampoland proper, extending from the Atlantic to about 19° 45' E. long. Behind the waterless coast region (100 miles) rises a mountain district, with peaks over 8500 feet above the sea; and farther inland stretch especially copper; vegetation is confined to their wide prairies. The mountains are rich in minerals, valleys, and to the prairie region, which in the north enjoys a fine rainfall. The produce of the Damaras, properly Herero, a Bantu (q.v.) stem, interior consists of ivory, feathers, skins, &c. The number about 80,000, of whom 50,000 live in the mountain district; they are nomads, and own large flocks and herds. The Hawkoin, or Hill Damaras, in the north-east, however, who are a much lower type, now speak Hottentot. The only harbour in this part of the coast is Walvisch Bay (q.v.), which properly belongs to Namaqualand; it was annexed to Cape Colony in 1884. In the same year the desert region along the coast was made a German protectorate.

which is given (1) to the watered or striated Damascening, or DAMASKENING, is a name

structure seen in certain sword-blades and other weapons, and (2) to the ornamental incrustation with gold and silver of steel and iron surfaces. The term in both its applications originates from the city of Damascus, whence the crusaders brought into Europe swords and other weapons of remarkable strength, elasticity, and keenness of edge, the surfaces of which were beautifully striated with waved dark and light lines. The hilts of such weapons, and the whole surface of defensive armour from the same source were in many cases elaborately ornamented with incrusted gold, and hence of the metal, and to its ornamental treatment. It one term came to be applied to the peculiar structure is probable that even in the crusaders' times the making of the so-called Damascus blades and the they remain characteristic of that country, the art of damascening were Persian, and to this day practice having spread thence eastward into India, while the Persians still supply the Turks on the west with their best and most highly ornamented weapons. The production of a watered or damascened surface is illustrated by the manufacture of 'Damascus twist' barrels for sporting-guns. The metal for the barrels is prepared from rods of iron and steel, piled alternately and forged and welded together into a single solid rod of small section. Three of these composite rods are used in forming a barrel. They are separately twisted in contrary directions till each has the appearance of a fine threaded screw, then they are welded together into a solid ribbon, which in its turn is spirally wound and welded by the edges till the requisite length and bore of barrel are formed. The result of the intertwisting of fine lamine of steel and iron is a beautifully damascened surface which shows itself when the barrel has been treated with acid. The incrustation of arms, armour, and other objects of steel and iron with gold, and more rarely with silver, is very extensively practised in the Northwest Provinces of India, as well as in Persia. In India it is known as Kuft work or Kuftgari. The

DAMASCENUS

design to be worked out is undercut in the metal, into this the gold or silver wire is laid, and the scarp edge is beaten down with a hammer, thus securing the wire in its position. Another method consists in scratching the surface, and beating into the scratched lines the gold or silver wire, after which the whole surface is burnished to remove the incisions.

Damascenus. See JOANNES DAMASCENUS. Damascus is the capital of Syria, and the largest town in Western Asia. It is called by the natives Dimashk es-Sham, or simply es-Sham, the name which is generally applied to all Syria. The city stands 1 mile from the mouth of the gorge, through which the Barada, the Chrysorrhoas of the Greeks, forces its way into the plain; and it is now connected with Beyrout on the Mediterranean by an excellent French road about 70 miles long. The plain of Damascus, 500 sq. m. in area, is dotted by over a hundred towns and villages. It is bounded on the north-west by the AntiLibanus range, on the south by the Black Mountains, beyond which are the hills of Bashan, and on the east by the marshes of the plain. Damascus is situated on the western side of the great plain at an elevation of 2260 feet above the level of the sea, and immediately to the north-west of the city the Anti-Libanus rises to a height of 3840 feet. This elevated part of the mountain, called Jebel Kasyún, is crowned by the Kubbet en-Nasr (Dome of Victory'). From the base of this dome the best view of Damascus is obtained. Its exquisite beauty, as seen from the mountain, is greatly enhanced by contrast. Towards the west there are the bare chocolate sahara and the stormbleached, lime-streaked mountains. But the Barada, having forced its way through the mountain, spreads fan-like by seven rivers over the plain of Damascus, and everything lives whither the river cometh. A beautiful green meadow, the joy of all orientals, extends almost from the mountain to the city; gardens, in which all the trees of the forest and the field blend their many shades, extend for many a mile and hold the desert at bay. From out this bower of soft green the city lifts to heaven its forest of minarets towering above pearly domes. The rivers of Damascus are the constant source of the city's perennial existence. According to tradition, Abraham on his westward march lingered by the crystal waters, and ruled the city in peace.

The seven canals by which water is drawn off from the central Barada are called rivers. The most important on the right side is Nahar Abanias. This is the river Abana, and it flowed through the fashionable west-end suburb in the palmy days of Damascus. The most important canal on the left side of the Barada is Nahar Taura-the Pharpar of 2 Kings, v. 12. Both rivers flowed through the residential parts of the city, and were largely used for bathing purposes.

The appearance of Damascus as viewed from the mountain resembles a tennis-racquet. The handle, which lies in a south-westerly direction, is the Meidân, a suburb which extends along the Mecca pilgrim-route for about a mile, and ends at the Bawabat Alla (‘Gate of God'). The other part is concentrated on the rivers, and is inclosed within ancient walls and encompassed by luxuriant gardens which seem to surge around and over the pearlcoloured city like a sea. At the western side of the city within the walls stands the citadel. It is a large quadrangular structure about 300 yards long and 250 wide, with projecting towers, and surrounded by a moat. It was erected in 1219 by Melik-elAshraf, and has a massive appearance, but it is a good deal dilapidated. The palace stands outside the walls west of the citadel, and about 400

yards east of the citadel the Great Mosque towers above the city. The Mosque was erected by Walid 'Abd-el-Melik at the beginning of the 8th century on the site of the church of St John, just as that church had been erected by Arcadius about the beginning of the 5th century on the site of a pagan temple, which probably occupied the site of the ancient Beit Rimmon. The church was constructed from the splendid material of ancient temples, and the mosque is made up of the materials of ancient churches. The old walls and many of the columns of the church are still in position, and on a portal, older than Mohammedan or Christian times, is carved a cross, followed by the 13th verse of the 145th Psalm in Greek, from the Septuagint, with the abbreviation Xe added. The mosque is adorned by three minarets, one of which, called the minaret of Jesus, rises to a height of 250 feet, and on this minaret, according to Mohammedan tradition, Jesus will appear when he comes to judge the world. Near to the pulpit there is a richly gilded dome, beneath which the head of John the Baptist is said to rest, and in the court there is another dome which contains precious fragments of Kufic, Syriac, and other manuscripts. Damascus contains 70 other mosques, and more than 150 chapels for prayer and instruction. The churches and synagogues have no architectural pretensions, and their internal decorations are gorgeous but tawdry. The tomb of Núr ed-Din is one of the ornaments of the city, and the walls of the best baths are decorated with beautiful Kishani tiles, and the floors with parian marble. The public cafés, though picturesque when lighted up, are dirty and sodden.

The

The religious communities оссиру different quarters of Damascus. The Jewish quarter (Haratel-Yahoud) lies to the south of the street called Straight,' which runs east and west for about a mile, with Roman gateways at either end. course of the Via Recta can be traced by the columns in situ. The Christian quarter (Harat-enNasara) lies north of the street called Straight in the eastern part of the city, and the remainder of the city is occupied by Mohammedans. It is spoken of as Harat-el-Islam. The Christians are superior in physique, in education, in enterprise, in skill, in industry to their Mohammedan neighbours.

6

The different industries are also carried on in separate quarters. There is the silversmiths' bazaar, where rough but very effective personal ornaments are made; the saddlers' bazaar, where scarlet saddles and horse-trappings are gaily decorated with gold and silver thread; the shoemakers' bazaar, where red and yellow slippers of gondola-form and gorgeous top-boots are made; the Greek bazaar, where imitation Damascus blades' and 'antiques' newly made are offered to the unwary. The book bazaar (the Paternoster Row of the East), the cloth bazaar, the seed bazaar, the silk bazaar, and all the other trades and commodities, have their distinct locations. The narrow and badly paved streets of Damascus are dusty in summer and muddy in winter. On either side are the rows of arched niches which are the shops of the place. Each shopkeeper sits cross-legged in his dukkan, with his spices or Manchester goods piled up around him, awaiting customers, whom he serves with great stateliness of manner. Behind the mud walls and mean entrances there are splendid houses in Damascus. On entering, one is dazzled by the barbaric grandeur-white marble pavements, tesselated with coloured stone; snowy fountains where the constant music of falling water mingles with the cooing of doves from their nests in the lemon-trees or trellised vines; walls frescoed and decorated with mosaics and Persian tiles, and slabs inlaid with coloured pastes and

precious stones; arabesque ceilings set with Venetian mirrors, and adorned with blue and purple and gold-all that oriental art and lavish expenditure can do has been done to attract and charm the eye.

Great and steady progress is being made in Damascus in education, especially by the Christians; but the Jews and Mohammedans are also awaking to the necessity of a higher standard of civilisation. For many years the Irish Presbyterians have conducted successful educational establishments in the city and neighbouring villages as auxiliary to their mission work. The British Syrian schools have also an establishment, and the London Jews' Society.

One of the sights of Damascus is the Hajj (q.v.). When it is starting for Mecca the whole city turns out to see the procession. For miles around there is a surging sea of human beings, dressed in the brightest and most striking colours. Circassians and Afghans, Kurds and Kalmucks, Turkomans and Tekkes, Bedouins from the desert, and shepherds from the steppes, and all the heterogeneous tribes and peoples of the East, are represented in that brilliant procession. Damascus is also one of the meeting-places between the East and West. Enormous caravans of camels pass to and fro between Bagdad and Damascus, exchanging the dates and tobacco and spices and carpets of the East for the produce of the looms and workshops of Europe. The chief exports are grain, flour, native cotton and silk manufactures, wool, apricot paste and stones, raisins, and liquorice-root; the imports include textiles, indigo, tobacco, coffee, sugar, and leather. In 1887 the total exports were valued at £341,294, and the imports at £398,423, more than half of the latter being British. 1889 gas and tramways were introduced into the city. Pop. about 150,000, of whom 20,000 are Christians of various sects (32,000 before the great massacre of July 1860); 6000 are Jews; and the remainder Mohammedans.

In

Damask. This name, long given to certain fabrics with ornamental patterns, appears to have originated through Damascus having become, as early as the 12th century, so celebrated for its figured silks that they were sought for everywhere. The term damask is now applied to stuffs made for table-covers, window curtains, and furniture coverings, with floral, scroll, heraldic, or partly geometrical patterns woven in the loom, but not to printed designs. There are silk, woollen, linen, and cotton damasks. Some are of two materials, usually dyed of different colours, such as silk and linen, or silk and wool, while many old damasks are of silk and gold. There are other figured textiles more or less resembling damask, such as Brocade (q.v.) and figured Velvet (q.v.), but on these the pattern is generally, at least slightly, raised, while in damask the surface is flat, and the pattern is distinct on both sides of the cloth. The structure of damask, like diaper, is merely a variety of twilling. It is by the order in which the warp threads are raised and depressed for the interweaving with the weft that the pattern is produced; the weft, as a rule, intersecting the warp from every fourth up to every eighth thread. This is accomplished by a Jacquard apparatus attached to the loom. The pattern is first painted on a specially prepared paper, and then read off' and perforated on cards by a cutting machine made for the purpose, each card being made to control the arrangement for one shot or weft thread. These cards, which may be from 200 to 2000 in number, are laced into an endless chain, and made to revolve on а cylinder forming part of the apparatus. The holes in the cards correspond to a certain number of cross needles,' into which are looped upright wires

DAMASUS

terminating in hooks for lifting the warp threads. The mechanism for raising such of these wires, and with them the warp threads as are required for each throw of the shuttle, is explained under JACQUARD-LOOM. It requires four Jacquardmachines to complete some patterns of damask, and a greater number if the design is exceptionally elaborate.

Table-linen damask is perhaps the kind most largely made. In Great Britain, the principal seats of this manufacture are Dunfermline in Scotland, Belfast in Ireland, and Barnsley in Yorkshire. At some of the linen damask mills in England and Scotland, coloured union damask, of wool and linen, is also made on a large scale. Cotton damasks, both dyed and undyed, are woven extensively at Manchester and its neighbourhood, as well as at Glasgow and Paisley. The mills where all-wool damasks are chiefly manufactured are situated at or near Halifax and Bradford, where a new kind, consisting of mohair, or of mohair and silk, has been recently fabricated. Silk damasks are principally made in the neighbourhood of London. Since 1860, largely through the labours of Dr Bock of Aix-la-Chapelle, one or two very interesting collections of European damasks and other figured stuffs, ranging in date from the 13th to the 16th century, have been made. A catalogue with some illustrations of the specimens in the South Kensington Museum was prepared some years ago by the Rev. Dr Daniel Rock. Since then some remarkable examples have been added, and the authorities of that institution are now publishing large coloured illustrations of these. The original pieces, even though many of them are much faded, give a vivid idea of the beauty of the products of the looms of Sicily, of Florence, Venice, Lucca, and Genoa, and of some Spanish towns, during the middle ages. The materials of which they are made are silk alone, silk and gold, silk and linen, and silk and cotton. When flowers or animals are represented on these damasks, they are conventionally, not realistically, treated, and the designs of most of them are so appropriate and effective, that even the chromolithographs of them are of great value not only to the textile designer, but to students of every branch of decorative art.

Damasus, the name of two popes of Rome.DAMASUS I. was born in 306, probably at Rome, became archdeacon of the Roman Church in 355, and pope in 366. The party of Ursinus, the rival of Damasus, were overpowered after a sanguinary struggle of three days in the streets of Rome, and afterwards in the Basilica Liberiana (S. Maria Maggiore), from which 137 corpses were carried out in one day, the 25th October 366. The Emperor Valentinian I. decided in favour of Damasus, and twelve years later, the schism still continuing, an edict of Gratian (378) made him the judge in the case of all the clergy of the hostile party who still lived in Rome. He was a zealous opponent of the Arians, and condemned the Illyrian bishops Ursacius and Valens at a synod which he held at Rome in 368, and Auxentius, Bishop of Milan, at a second synod there in 370. Damasus induced his friend Jerome to undertake the revision of the Italia (in 383 and 384), which led him to the preparation of the Vulgate version; and he did much for the preservation and adornment of the Roman catacombs. He died in 384, and was canonised. His festival falls on the 11th December. writings of Damasus, which are chiefly letters and epigrams, were published at Rome in 1638 (new editions, Rome, 1754, and Paris, 1840). See Langen, Geschichte der römischen Kirche (vol. i. Bonn, 1881), and Rade, Damasus, Bischof von Rom (Freiburg, 1882).-DAMASUS II., previously Poppo, Bishop of Brixen, was elected pope in 1048, through the influ

DAMBULA

ence of the Emperor Henry III., and died twentythree days after his accession.

Dambula, or DAMBUL, a vast Buddhist rocktemple in Ceylon, 40 miles N. of Kandy, containing, among a profusion of carvings, figures of Buddha of extraordinary magnitude. See CEYLON. Dame (Lat. domina, a mistress'), a title of honour which long distinguished high-born ladies from the wives of citizens and of the commonalty in general, and which still is the accurate title of a knight's wife (see also BARONET). In the age of chivalry, it was customary even for a queen to be so called by her chosen knight ('the dame of his heart, of his thoughts,' &c.). In consequence of the greater courtesy shown towards women of higher rank, arose the custom of prefixing the word ma to dame, as a special proof of veneration and homage. Hence, too, the Virginmother was called in France Notre Dame (Our Lady', as if no single Christian could exclusively claim the privilege of serving her with the homage of his heart). The daughters of the king of France, as soon as they came into the world, were called Madame; and this was also the sole title of the wife of the king's eldest brother. In England, the word Dame, though not much used, is now applied to married women of all classes; but has recently acquired a special significance in connection with the Primrose League (q.v.). It is also applied specially to the mistress of a small elementary school, especially if elderly and ignorant. Madame is shortened into Madam, a usual term of address for ladies in general, but still also a word of honour, applicable, in particular cases, to majesty itself. Thus Tennyson in dedicating his poems to Queen Victoria, speaks as a chivalrous troubadour might

have done

Take, Madam, this poor book of song. Dame's Violet (Hesperis), a genus of Cruciferæ, closely allied to stock and wallflower; natives chiefly of the middle and south of Europe, and temperate Asia. One only, the Common Dame's Violet or Rocket (H. matronalis), occurs wild in Britain as a garden escape. The usually lilaccoloured flowers are scentless by day, but very fragrant at night,

on which account this plant is cultivated in flowerpots by German ladies. The custom appears to have been an old English one also, and from it the plant derives its technical name. The Night scented Rocket (H. tristis) is also a favourite flower in Germany. There are many florist's varieties ranging on each side of the familiar lilac tint to purple or white, often also variegated, and single or double.

Common Dame's Violet (Hesperis matronalis).

Damiani, PIETRO, a great Italian ecclesiastic of the 11th century, was born in 1007 at Ravenna,

herded swine in his boyhood, but rose by his learning and devotion to the interests of the church to be cardinal and Bishop of Ostia (1057). He supported with vigour the ecclesiastical policy of Hildebrand (afterwards Gregory VII.), without sharing his arrogance and ambition, and was employed in many important missions. He died at writings were collected by Cardinal Cajetan, and Faenza in 1072. His letters, speeches, and other often reprinted (best ed. 4 vols. Ven. 1743). See the Life by Neukirch (Gött. 1875).

Damianus, ST. See COSMAS.

Damien, FATHER, a young Belgian priest who in 1873 devoted himself to the awful duties of spiritual guide to the lepers confined to the Hawaian island of Molokai. Sent on a mission to Honolulu, where he heard from the bishop the neglected state of the lepers, some 700 or 800 in number, who lived on that small island, he volunteered to establish himself amongst them; and from 1877 onwards became physician of their souls and bodies, their magistrate, teacher, carpenter, gardener, cook, and even gravedigger at need. For long he worked on single-handed at his noble labours, but was ultimately joined by another priest. For twelve years he escaped all contagion of the fatal disease, though in constant contact with the sick and dying; and though in 1885 the malady appeared in him, he continued his heroic labours until his death, April 10, 1889. His family name was Damien de Veuster. His story is alluded to in Froude's Oceana.

Damiens, ROBERT FRANÇOIS, the would-be murderer of Louis XV., was born in 1714 near Arras. Already known in his youth as Robert le Diable, he was by turns a soldier and a servant in Paris; in 1756 he was forced for a robbery to flee to Belgium, but ventured to return to Paris about the end of the year. Already he had formed the plan to murder the king, either, as he himself alleged, on account of his conduct towards the parliament, or because, as was generally asserted, he was instigated by the Jesuits. On 4th January 1757 he went to Versailles, next day followed the king and his courtiers about everywhere, and about six o'clock at night, when the king was entering his carriage to leave Trianon, managed to stab him. Damiens was seized before he could finish the deed, and was nearly three months later adjudged by the parliament to a horrible death. The hand which had attempted the murder was burned at a slow fire; the fleshy parts of his body were then torn off by pincers, and melted resin and oil poured into the wounds; finally, he was torn to pieces by four horses. The fragments of his body were burned, the house in which he was born pulled down, and his family banished from France for ever.

Damietta (Arab. Dimyat), a town of Lower Egypt, situated on the right bank of the chief eastern mouth of the Nile, about 8 miles from its mouth in the Mediterranean. It is irregularly but well built, and has some handsome mosques and marble baths, and of course several bazaars. Its commerce has been much injured by the prosperity of Alexandria, but it still carries on a considerable trade in exporting rice, fish (from Lake Menzala), coffee, and dates; and imports charcoal, soap, and manufactured goods. It is the terminus of a branchrailway from Cairo. The cambric (kasab) known as dimity received its name from Damietta, where it was first manufactured, but it is so no longer (LanePoole, Art of the Saracens), and the leather-work for which it was famous has also declined. A bar at the mouth of the river prevents vessels of more than fifty or sixty tons burden from ascending to the city. Pop. about 30,000. The existing town was erected after 1251, but, prior to that, a city of