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Harvey on Consumptions.

The variety of effects induced by different impurities of the air renders it absolutely necessary to discriminate them with as much accuracy as possible.

We shall, therefore, confine the term miasma to its original meaning, as used by Hippocrates, and, as all the rest have appropriate terms, we shall defer

them to the articles in their order. Dr. A. Rees.

MIAVA, a town of Hungary on the Miava River, which joins the Morava. It contains 10,000 inhabitants, chiefly Lutherans, and some manufactures of woollen and linen, considerable distilleries. Population (of Sclavonian origin) 10,000. Forty-five miles N. N. E. of Presburg, and sixty-three north-east of Vienna.

MICAH, the seventh of the twelve minor prophets. He is cited by Jeremiah, and prophesied in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He censures the reigning vices of Jerusalem and Samaria, and denounces the judgment of God against both kingdoms. He also foretels the confusion of the enemies of the Jews, the coming of the Messiah, and the glorious success of the church.

MICAH, OF THE BOOK OF MICAH, a canonical book of the Old Testament, written by the prophet Micah.

MICAIAH, the son of Imlah, an Ephraimite, a faithful prophet of Israel, under Ahab, who predicted the death of that monarch. See 1 Kings, xxii. 8-28, and AHAB.

MICHAEL, or MICHEL, i. e. who is like to God? The scripture account of Michael is, that he was an archangel, who presided over the Jewish nation, as other angels did over the Gentile world, as is evident of the kingdoms of Persia and Greece (Dan. x. 13); that he had an army of angels under his command (Rev. xii. 7); that he fought with the dragon, or Satan, and his angels; and that, contending with the Devil, he disputed about the body of Moses (Jude 9). As to the combat between Michael and the Dragon, some authors understand it literally. Others take it in a figurative sense: and refer it either to the contest that happened at Rome between St. Peter and Simon Magus, in which the apostle prevailed over the magician, or to those violent persecutions under which the church labored for 300 years. The Romish church celebrates three appearances of Michael, which happened, they say, long after the age of the apostles: viz. 1. At Colossæ in Phrygia, but when is uncertain. 2. At Mount Garganus, in Naples, about the end of the fifth century. 3. His appearance to Aubert bishop of Avranches, A. D. 706, upon a rock called the Tomb, where the abbey of St. Michael stands. The first of these festivals is observed on the 6th of September, the second on the 8th of May, and the last on the 16th of October. It has been supposed that it was Michael who conducted the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness (see Exod. xxxii. 34. and xxxiii. 2); who appeared to Moses in

the burning bush, to Joshua in the fields of Jericho, and to Gideon and Manoah the father of Sampson. In a word, to him have been imputed the greatest part of the most remarkable appearances in the Old and New Testament. Bishop Horsely, in his remarkable sermon on Dan. iv 17, labors to prove that Michael the archangel is the Redeemer.

MICHAEL, MOUNT, one of the most celebrated state prisons of France, lies about twenty miles from Granville. It is a rock situated in the middle of the bay of Avranches; and is only accessible at low water. One side is naturally completely fortified by its craggy and almost perpendicular descent, which renders it impracticable to climb it by any address or courage, however consummate. The other parts are surrounded by walls fenced with semilunar towers after the Gothic manner, but sufficiently strong, together with the advantage of its situation, to render it impregnable to any attack. At the foot of the mountain begins a street or town, which winds round its base to a considerable height. Above are chambers where state-prisoners were kept, and where there are other buildings intended for residence. On the summit is erected the abbey itself, occupying a prodigious space of ground; and of a strength and solidity equal to its enormous size; as it has for many centuries withstood all the injuries of the weather, to which it is so much exposed. In an apartment, called the Sale de Chevalerie, the knights of St. Michael used to meet in solemn convocation, on important occasions. They were the defenders and guardians of this mountain and abbey, as those of the temple, and of St. John of Jerusalem, were of the holy sepulchre.

MICHAEL (St.,) or ST. MICHAEL'S, a borough of Cornwall, between St. Columb and Truro, 247 miles from London. Though one of the oldest boroughs in the county by prescription, it is now a mean hamlet in the parishes of Newland and St. Enidore; yet it is governed by a portreeve, chosen annually by a jury of the chief inhabitants, out of the six chief tenants, called deputy lords of the manor, because they hold lands in the borough. It has two fairs, and a court-leet is held twice a-year. It was formerly called Modishole.

MICHAEL (St.), GULF OF, a bay of South America, on the south-east side of the Gulf of Panama, and formed by the mouths of the rivers Congo, Santa Maria, &c. It has several islands which form a very good shelter for a large fleet, and its sides are surrounded with mangroves.

MICHAELIS (John David), a celebrated biblical critic, and author of many esteemed works, was the eldest son of a professor in the university of Halle in Lower Saxony, and was born there, February 27th 1717 He received the first part of his education in a celebrated Prussian seminary, called the Orphan-house, at Glauche, near Halle. He commenced his academical career at Halle in 1733, and took his degrees of A. M. and of philosophy in 1739. In 1741 he came to England, where his knowledge of the oriental languages, which was increased by his indefatigable researches in the Bodleian library at Oxford, introduced him to the acquaintance and esteem of our first literary characters; with several of whom, particularly bishop Lowth, he corresponded for many years. He returned to Halle in fifteen months, and began to read lectures on the historical books of the Old Testament, which he continued after his removal to Gottingen in 1754. In 1746 he was appointed professor extraordinary, and soon after of philosophy. In 1747 he was appointed secretary to the Royal Society there, of which he was director in 1761, and was soon after made Aulic counsellor by the court of Hanover. In 1764 a publication relative to a journey to Arabia, which was undertaken by several literary men, at the expense of the king of Denmark, procured him the honor of being chosen a member of the Academy of Inscriptions at Paris, of whom the institution admitted only eight; and in the same year he became a member of the society at Haerlem. In 1775 count Hopkin, who eighteen years before had prohibited the use of his writings at Upsal, when chancellor of that university, prevailed upon the king of Sweden to confer on him the order of the polar star, as a national compensation. In 1768 he was appointed a privy counsellor of justice by the court of Hanover; and in 1788 received his last literary honor, by being elected F. R. S. of London. His great critical knowledge of the Hebrew, which he displayed in a new translation of the Bible, and in other works, raised him to a degree of eminence almost unknown before in Germany; and his labors were indefatigable in instructing the numerous students of all countries who attended his admirable lectures, which he continued to deliver on the sacred writings in half yearly courses, and on the Hebrew, Arabic, and Syriac languages, to the last year of his life. He was professor in the university of Gottingen forty-five years, and died October 22d, 1791, aged seventy-four. He left behind him several valua

ble MSS.

MICHAELMAS, n. s. Michael and mass. The feast of the archangel Michael, celebrated on the 29th of September.

They compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmas for thirty pounds price. Carew.

MICHAELOVKA, a town in the government of Kursk, European Russia, on the Svapa. It has manufactures of leather, hemp, seed, oil, and wax; and trades in wood, corn, and hemp. Population 6000. Sixty-two miles W. N. W. of

Kursk.

MICHE, v. n.

Sax. mæcran; Teut. mauMICH'ER, n. s. I chen, to conceal. To lie hid or neglected: mich and mick are still used provincially for an idle, or small (easily concealed) person: a micher is used below for a loiterer.

How tenderly, her tender hands between, In ivory cage she did the micher bind. Sidney. Marry this is miching malicho; it means mischief. Shakspeare.

Shall the blessed son of heaven prove a micher, and eat blackberries? a question not to be asked. Shall the son of England prove a thief, and take purses? a question to be asked.

Id.

MICHIGAN LAKE, a lake of North America, belonging to the United States, is 262 miles

in length, and fifty-five in breadth, containing, according to Hutchings, 10,368,000 acres. It has a depth of water sufficient for vessels of any size, and has a communication with Lake Huron, by the river or channel of Michillimackinack. The waters of this, as well as of the other great lakes, are clear and wholesome, and contain abundance of fish. Its banks are fertile, and in the north-west are two excellent bays, i. e. Noquet's and Green's.

MICHIGAN TERRITORY, a territory of the United States, is a large peninsula, bounded north by the straits of Michillimackinack; northeast by Lake Huron; east by St. Clair's River and Lake, by Detroit River, and Lake Erie; south by Ohio and Indiana; and west by Lake Michigan. Long. 82° 7' to 85° 20′ W., lat. 41° 45' to 45° 34′ N.: 250 miles long, from north to south, and 150 broad; and containing about 30,000 square miles.

The districts and population, in 1810, are exhibited in the following Table:

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The rivers of this territory are numerous, and mostly navigable for boats to their sources. Those flowing into Lake Michigan are St. Joseph's, Black, Marame, Barbice, Raisin, Grand, Mastigon, White, Rocky, Beauvais, St. Nicholas, Marguerite, Monistic, Aux Sables, and Grand Traverse. Saganaum River flows in Saganaum Bay in Lake Huron.

There are no mountains in this territory; the interior is table land, having a northern and western inclination, interspersed with small lakes and marshes, from which issue the head branches of the river. There are prairies, from the banks of St. Joseph's to Lake St. Clair; some of an excellent soil, others sandy, wet, and sterile. There are also extensive forests of lofty timber, consisting of oak, sugar maple, beach, ash, poplar, white and yellow pine, cucumber, buckeye, bass-wood, hickory, cedar, plum, crab apple, cherry, black and honey locust. The timbered lands are well adapted to the production of most kinds of grain. There is no part of the United States more abundantly supplied with fish, aquatic fowls, and wild game.

The climate generally is accounted healthy. In the southern part it resembles that of the west part of New York and Pennsylvania. In the northern part it is more severe.

MICHILLIMACKINACK, a broad river or strait, by which Lake Huron communicates with that of Michigan. It is six miles wide, and from twenty to thirty long.

MICHILLIMACKINACK, or MACKINACK, an is land and fort, situated in the above straits. The island is of an elliptical form, full of wood, and about seven miles in circumference, rising towards the centre, its figure suggesting to the Aborigines the appropriate name of Michi Mackina, or Great Turtle. The fort stands on a rising ground, 150 feet above the waters of the lake, 100 from its shores. It is a strong stockade, neatly built, and exhibits a fine appearance from the water. A village near the fort contains a Roman Catholic church, and 100 or 150 small houses. It is considerably resorted to by all the north-west traders. The climate is severe. 200 miles N.N.W. of Detroit.

MICKLE, adj. Sax. micel; Goth. and Swed. mickel; Scot. muckle. Much; great. See MUCH. This reade is rife that oftentime Great cumbers fall unsoft: In humble dales is footing fast, The trode is not so tickle,

And, though one fall through heedless haste, Yet is his miss not mickle. Spenser's Pastorals. O, mickle is the powerful grace, that lies In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities. Shakspeare. Many a little makes a mickle. Camden's Remains. All this tract that fronts the falling sun, A noble peer, of mickle trust and power, Has in his charge.

Milton.

MICKLE (William Julius), the celebrated translator of the Lusiad, was born about 1735, and was educated by his father. After the death of his father he came to Edinburgh to reside with an uncle who was a brewer there, and who admitted him into a share of his business; but disliking the trade he went to London about 1761, with a view to procure a commission in the marine service. The first of his poems which appeared in print was published in one of the Edinburgh magazines, and entitled On passing through the Parliament Close of Edinburgh at Midnight. In 1756 he published the poem which first brought him into notice, entitled Pollio, an Elegiac Ode, written in the wood near R (Roslin) Castle, 4to. This was an elegy on the death of his brother, which, previously to its publication, had been shown to lord Lyttleton, and received some corrections from him. The latter, in an epistle to the author, spoke of it as equal to any thing of the kind in our language. In 1767 he published a poem called The Concubine, in two Cantos, after the manner of Spenser, 4to.; and in 1769 a Letter to Mr. Harwood, wherein some of his evasive Glosses, false Translations, and blundering criticisms, in support of the Arian heresy, contained in his Literal Translation of the New Testament, are pointed out and confuted, 8vo. In 1770 he published Mary Queen of Scots, an elegy; Hengist and Mary, a ballad; and Knowledge, an ode; in Pearche's Collection of Poems: also Voltaire in the Shades, or Dialogues on the Deistical Controversy, 8vo. About this time Mr. Mickle was a frequent writer in the Whitehall Evening Post; but a more important work now engaged his attention. This was the translation of the Lusiad of Camoens into the English Language, and which he completed in 1775. A second edition was prepared in 1778,

with a plate prefixed to it, executed 1 by Mortimer; on whom Mr. Mickle wrote an epitaph in 1779. This year also he published a pamphlet, entitled A Candid Examination of the Reasons for depriving the East India Company of its Charter. Bishop Lowth would have provided for him in the church, but this was not agreeable to our author's disposition; and he was soon after appointed secretary to commodore Johnstone, who had obtained the command of the Romney man of war. In 1771 he arrrived at Lisbon, and was named by his patron joint agent for the prizes which were taken. In this capital he resided above six months, and during this period he wrote his poem, entitled Almada Hill, which in 1781 was published in 4to. In 1782 he pub lished the Prophecy of Queen Emma, an ancient ballad lately discovered, written by Johannes Turgottus, prior of Durham, in the reign of William Rufus; to which is added by the Editor, an Account of the Discovery, and hints towards a vindication of the Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian and Rowley, 8vo. In June 1782 he married Miss Tomkins, daughter of Mr. Tomkins of Forest-hill. Having received some fortune with this lady, and having saved some money himself when in the service of commodore Johnstone, he now enjoyed a comfortable independence. Having fixed his residence at Wheatley, in Oxfordshire, the last seven years of his life were employed in writing for the European Magazine. The fragments of Leo, and some of the most approved reviews of books, in that work were of his production. He died on the 25th of October 1788 at Wheatley, leaving one son.

MICROCOSM, n. s. From Gr. μικρος, little, and κόσμος, world. The little world: a term often metaphorically applied to man.

You see this in the map of my microcosm.

Shakspeare.

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Philosophers say that man is a microcosm, or little world, resembling in miniature every part of the great; and the body natural may be compared to the body politick. Swift.

MICROCOSMIC SALTS. A triple salt of soda, ammonia, and phosphoric acid, obtained from urine, and much used in assays by the blowpipe. This compound is best procured by mixing equal parts of the phosphate of soda and phosphate of ammonia in solution, and then crystallising. A faint excess of ammonia is useful in the solution. See SALT. MICROGRAPHY, n. s.

MICROMETER,
MICROSCOPE.

MICROSCOP'IC, adj.
MICROSCOPICAL.

}

Οἱ μικρος, little, and γραφω, to describe; μετρον, measure, and σκο

a

πεω, to inspect. Micrography is the description of small, or microscopic, objects: inicrometer, an instrument for measuring small spaces or distances, particularly in the heavens: microscope, an optical instrument for magnifying small, and otherwise invisible, bodies. See the scientific description of both these important instruments.

The honey bag is the stomach, which they always fill to satisfy and to spare, vomiting up the greater part of the honey to be kept against winter; a curious description and figure of the sting see in Mr. Hook's micrography. Grew's Museum.

If the eye were so acute as to rival the finest microscopes, and to discern the smallest hair upon the leg of a gnat, it would be a curse, and not a blessing to us; it would make all things appear rugged and deformed; the nost finely polished crystal would be uneven and rough; the sight of our own selves would affright us; the smoothest skin would be beset all over with ragged scales and bristly hairs. Bentley.

Make microscopical observations of the figure and bulk of the constituent parts of all fluids.

Arbuthnot and Pope.

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MICROMETER. The telescope and microscope both owe their most important applications to the use of this instrument. To the modern introduction of the micrometer for the use of the astronomer, and the improvement of the telescope, may indeed be attributed our accurate and extensive acquaintance with the universe of matter; while, from the perfection to which the microscope has recently been brought, an equal acquaintance with the minute organisation of bodies may be expected. By the application of the micrometer to this latter instrument the power of the naturalist is materially extended; while the micrometer is of the utmost value for trigonometrical surveys, and in military or naval operations.

M. de la Hire, in a discourse on the era of the inventions of the micrometer, pendulum clock, and telescope, before the Royal Academy of Sciences, makes M. Huygens the inventor of this instrument. That author,' he observes in his observations on Saturn's ring, &c., published 1659, 'gives a method of finding the diameters of the planets by means of a telescope, viz. by putting an object which he calls a virgula, of a size proper to take in the distance to be measured, in the focus of the convex object-glass; in this case, says he, the smallest object will be seen very distinctly in that place of the glass. By such means, he adds, he measured the diameter of the planets, as he there delivers them.' This micrometer,' continues the same ingenious author, 'is so very little different from that published by the marquis de Malvasia, in his Ephemerides, three years after, that they ought to be esteemed the same; and the micrometer of the

marquis differed yet less from that published four years after his, by Azout and Picard. Hence de la Hire concludes that it is to Huygens the world is indebted for the invention of the micrometer, without taking any notice of the claim of our countryman Gascoigne, which, however, is many years prior to any of them.'

We may now, however, proceed to a more minute examination of this instrument, commencing with its simplest form.

The wire micrometer is an instrument fitted to the eye-piece of a telescope, for the purpose of measuring the angles subtended by small spaces in the heavens, such as the diameters of the planets, &c., by comprehending these spaces between two delicate parallel fibres, which retain their parallelism while they are opened and shut by a mechanical contrivance. This instrument is represented in plate I. MICROMETER, figs. 1 and 2, as attached, along with the eye-piece GF, to the tube of the telescope A A, by means of a screw round the circumference of the circular plate d, figs. 1 and 2. Within this circular plate is fixed a conical ring ee, fig. 2, fastened to a second ring BB, by three small screws, the ends of which may be seen in fig. 2. By turning the screw D, therefore, which works in teeth cut upon the circumference d, the whole eye-piece, along with the micrometer MN, may be made to revolve upon the conical ring ee as a centre. The inclination of the micrometer to the horizon is pointed out upon the flat surface of the ring d, which is divided into 360°, &c. Into the ring BB is screwed the common Huygenia 1 eye-piece FG. The micrometer itself is contained in the box E E, figs. 1 and 3, which moves freely through the square holes in the ring BB, that the observer may follow an object while it is passing quickly through the field of the telescope. To show the interior construction of the instrument we have represented it, in fig. 3, with one of the sides removed. The fork of brass nn is fixed to the largest of the two small screws on the right hand side of the figure, and on the other end of the screw is placed a nut, L, placed united to the divided head N, and moving, with its female screw, upon the male screw already mentioned. By turning the nut L the fork nn may be moved backwards and forwards in the directions NM, MN, without any lateral shake. Within the fork nn is placed a second fork oo, fixed to another male screw on the left hand side of the figure, which may in like manner be moved backwards and forwards by means of the nut M, fixed to the divided head P. Across the lower side of each fork is extended a delicate fibre, or silver-wire, ee, which partakes of the motion of the fork to which it belongs, and both these fibres are so fixed that they always continue parallel, whatever be the distance to which they are separated by the motion of the forks. The lower sides of the forks are made in such a manner that the wires can just pass each other without touching; and at the instant of their passage they must coincide so completely as to appear one wire. When this takes place, the index should point to the zero of the scale a within the micrometer, each division of which is equal to the interval between any of

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