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XANTHIPPE-XERXES

Xanthippe (zan-tip'-pe), the wife of Socrates, has the reputation of being an archtermagant, doubtless with some

reason.

Still it should be remembered that her naturally infirm temper must have been severely tried by the small concern manifested by Socrates in relation to his domestic affairs. Socrates himself had completely mastered his naturally strong appetites and passions and had acquired a temper of perfect serenity. It is but natural then that historians on ever so small a basis of fact should delight to match such a philosopher with a woman of such a temper as Xanthippe is said to have possessed. On the other hand, if we can trust Plato, she seems to have really loved her husband, and at his death he tenderly committed her to the care of his friends. Many stories are told of her to illustrate her peculiar infirmity, but it is impossible to tell how much credit should be given to them.

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Xavier (zav'-i-er), SAINT FRANCIS, the apostle of the Indies," one of the first members of the Society of Jesus, was born in Navarre, France, April 7, 1506. He was educated at Paris, graduating in 1530. Soon afterwards he joined the society formed by Ignatius Loyala, and on Aug. 15, 1534, took vows with five others, devoting themselves to missionary work in Palestine. Being prevented from carrying out this plan by war, they formed the order of Jesuits, and when Loyala was requested to send missionaries to the Portuguese settlements in the Indies, Xavier was selected, and with one associate set out from Lisbon in 1541. He went first to Goa, to the Island of Ceylon, then to Malacca, and across to Japan. He intended next to go to China, but died when only in sight of that empire, Dec. 5, 1552. He was buried in Goa. It is said that during his 10 years' apostleship, he planted the faith in 52 different kingdoms, preached the gospel through 9,000 miles of territory and baptized more than 1,000,000 persons.

He was canonized by Pope Gregory XV. in 1622.

Xenia (zë- nia), county seat of Greene county, Ohio, is a flourishing city midway between Cincinnati and Columbus, on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis railway. Besides its various manufactories and other enterprises it is the seat of the Theological Seminary of the United Presbyterian church and the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home. Wilberforce University, an institution for the education of colored youth of both sexes, is located three miles from the city. Population, 8,545.

Xenophon, a Grecian general, historian and philosopher, was born at Athens 445 B. C. At an early age he became a pupil of Socrates, and is said to have been saved from death by that philosopher at the battle of Delium. At the age of 40 he joined the expedition of the younger Cyrus against Artaxerxes Mnemon, king of Persia, and after the battle of Cunaxa and the treacherous murder of the Greek generals, played an important part in the Retreat of the Ten Thousand. Soon after his return to Greece he settled in a small town in Elis, where he lived something over twenty years, occupying himself in agriculture, and literary pursuits. He is supposed to have died in Corinth 359 B. C. Xenophon's principal works are the Anabasis, which is a history of the expedition of Cyrus and the Retreat of the Ten Thousand; the Cyropedia, or education of Cyrus, and the Memorabilia, a series of dialogues intended to refute the charges on which Socrates was condemned to death.

Xerxes ( zerk'-ės) I.,KING OF PERSIA, was the eldest son of Darius and his second wife Atossa, and was appointed successor by his father in preference to Artabozanes, his eldest son by his first wife. Darius died 485 B. c. in the midst of his preparations for a third expedition against Greece; and as soon as

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XIMENES DE QUESADA

cardinal, was born at Torrelaguna, in Castile, in the year 1436. His great reputation for piety and learning led Queen Isabella to choose him in 1492 for her confessor, and three years after to appoint him archbishop of Toledoa dignity which he refused to accept until he had received an express command from the pope. In the year 1507 he was still further promoted to the dignity of cardinal. During the lifetime of Isabella he was the guiding spirit in Spanish affairs; and on her death in 1504, he held the balance between the parties of Ferdinand and Philip of Burgundy, husband of Joanna, heiress of the crown. When Ferdinand died in 1516, he named Ximenes regent of Spain until the arrival of his grandson Charles; and although the grandees formed a powerful combination against him he was able to subdue them by his prompt and efficient measures and compelled them to submit to his authority. He died at Branquillas, near Aranda de Duero, Nov. 6, 1517.

Xerxes had subdued the rebellious | well-known statesman, archbishop and Egyptians he gave his whole attention to the completion of his father's plans for the subjugation of the Grecian states. A bridge of boats a mile in length was built across the Hellespont; and a canal was cut through Mount Athos near which the fleet of Mardonius had been wrecked in 492 B. c. In the spring of the year 480 B. C. the vast army, said to number 2,000,000, began to march toward the Hellespont; according to Herodotus it took this force seven days and nights to march across the bridge. Grote, who discredits the immense numbers given by Herodotus, nevertheless says: "We may well believe that the numbers of Xerxes were greater than were ever assembled in ancient times, or perhaps at any known epoch of history." This immense force moved on without resistance till it was brought to a stand by Leonidas at Thermopyla; and although the Greeks were all defeated and slain, it was not without severe fighting and heavy loss on the part of the Persians. When Xerxes arrived at Athens three months after crossing the Hellespont he found the city deserted. Meantime the two fleets had taken their positions in the narrow strait between Salamis and the Attic coast, where the great naval battle of Salamis took place, in which the Persians were signally defeated, Xerxes himself fleeing in haste to the Hellespont. The bridge of boats having been destroyed in a storm he crossed over in a vessel, leaving Mardonius with 300,000 men to carry on operations in Greece. The next year that general was defeated by the Greeks in the famous battle of Platæa; and in 478 B. C. the Persians lost their last possession in Europe by the capture of Sestos in the Hellespont. Little more is known of the history of Xerxes, except that he was murdered by Artabanus, who aspired to the throne, and was succeeded by his son Artaxerxes 465 B. C.

Ximenes (zi-mee'-nês), FRANCIS, DE CISNEROs, by which latter name he is commonly called in Spain, the

Ximenes de Quesada, GonzaLo,a Spanish explorer,was born in Granada, 1495, and came to America in 1535, when, under the orders of the governor Santa Marta, he took command of an expedition against the Chibcha Indians in New Granada, and after enduring great privations and overcoming all obstacles in his way he conquered the cities of Tuna and Iraca, where he secured a vast quantity of treasure, which he divided among his soldiers. In the year 1538 Ximenes founded the city Bogota, and soon after sailed for Europe with Frederman from Venezuela and Benalcazar from Quito, in order to refer all matters in dispute between them to the king. Ximenes was at first fined and suspended from his offices by the king, but was afterwards sent to New Granada with the title of marshal, and in 1561 was appointed governor-in-chief of New Granada which position be continued to hold until his death. which took place at Mariqueta Feb. 16, 1579.

Y

YACHT-YAKUTSK

Yacht, a small vessel constructed | masthead to the stem, the jib and flying

so as to secure elegance and speed and exclusively employed for racing and pleasure sailing. The first authentic record of a sailing club is in 1720, when the Cork Harbor Water club, now known as the Royal Cork Yacht club, was established in Ireland, but the boats were small. From this time to the end of the 18th century yachting developed very slowly, so that it may be said that yacht racing as a pastime scarcely had a beginning at the opening of the 19th century. During this century, however, the progress has been such that there are numerous yacht clubs both in Europe and the United States, and improvements almost without number have been devised for increasing the speed and efficiency of vessels constructed for yachting purposes. As to the number of yachts now afloat, cruisers as well as racers, the British yacht fleet, which in 1850 consisted of 500 sailing vessels and three steamers, now numbers over 3,000 yachts. Next to Great Britain the United States possesses the largest number afloat, amounting to some 1,200 and if to the foregoing are added the yachts of other countries, a grand total of 5,000 or 6,000 is reached. While the construction of sailing vessels has wonderfully progressed since 1850 the building of steam yachts has gone on still more rapidly. The building of yachts has changed greatly from the simple, unpretending brig, with small tonnage, clumsy build, and baggy sails of the early yachts of the Royal Cork club, to the immense flat sails, larger size and long, narrow shape of the yacht of the present time. The effect of these changes was a great increase of speed. Racing yachts are schooners, cutters or yawls. The schooners are nearly always fore-and-aft rigged, i. e., not carrying square topsail yards on the foremast. The cutter differs from the American sloop in carrying a sail termed the foresail on a stay from the (1437)

jib being set on a long running bowsprit. The cutter, in fact, substitutes two head sails for one used in the sloop. The yawl differs from the cutter in carrying a slightly reduced mast and boom, the latter leaving room for a small aftermast stepped close astern, whereon is set a lugsail sheeted home to the end of a running boom. In racing the competitors use a large racing sail, called a spanker, set on a long beam projecting from the foot of the mast at right angles to the vessel. The sail, which is flat and triangular, extends from the topmast head to the deck, on the opposite side to that occupied by the main boom, though occasionally shifted to the bowsprit end. In 1851 the schooner "America" crossed the Atlantic and won the queen's cup from the "Aurora." In 1870 the "Cambria," built at Cowes, England, came to the United States for the American cup, but was badly beaten by the "Puritan." The "Galatea was beaten by the Mayflower" in 1886, and the "Thistle" by the " Volunteer" in 1887, so that the United States has held ever since the cup won in 1851.

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Yak, a species of ox found in Tibet in Asia and domesticated there. It is hunted by large dogs, and in its native state is very fierce, falling upon its adversaries not only with its horns but with its chest and crushing them with its weight. The yak forms a great part of the wealth of the inhabitants of the highest regions of central Asia, as its milk is rich, and the curd made from it is much used for food, being often powdered into a kind of meal. The butter made from yak milk is an important article of commerce in Tibet. The flesh, too, is of the finest quality, that of the calves being much superior to our veal. The yak is never used for tillage or draught, but is highly prized as a beast of burden.

Yakutsk (yah - kootsk' ), the chief town of the government of that name

YALE

1438

YATES

in eastern Siberia. It is situated on the | On his return home he became a memleft bank of the Lena river, 5,000 miles ber of the confederate congress, and from St. Petersburg. The whole indus- died near Montgomery, Alabama, July try of the town consists of candleworks; 28, 1863. but it is nevertheless the principal market of eastern Siberia for traffic with the native tribes of Jakuts and Buriats. Population, 4,778.

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Yang-tse-Kiang (yang'- tse-keang'), the principal river of Asia, the 'girdle of China," connecting together all the central provinces of that empire situated between Tibet and Kokonor on the west and the Pacific ocean on the east. Its entire length through all its numerous windings under various names cannot be less than 3,000 miles. To name the cities on the banks and tributaries of this rival of the Mississippi would be to enumerate a large portion of the cities of the empire. It is navigable by the largest vessels to 900 miles from its mouth and by smaller ones for a much greater dis$2,-tance.

Yale, ELIHU, after whom Yale College (now Yale University) was named, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, July 22, 1648. At the age of 10 years his parents returned to England, and he never returned to America. In the year 1678 he went to the East Indies, where he remained several years and accumulated a large fortune. On his return to England he became governor of the East India company and a fellow of the Royal society. His gifts to the new institution amounted to some 500, in consequence of which it was named Yale College. He died in London, July 22, 1721.

Yale University. See UNIVER

SITIES.

Yam, a tropical plant with large tuberous roots and twining stems. These tubers are much used as an article of food in the same way that potatoes are used in more temperate climates. They contain considerable starch, and are generally mealy and pleasant to the taste when boiled. Yams are propagated by means of their tubers, the small tubers at the base of the stem around the neck of the large tuber being used for the purpose. In the southern states the name yam is generally applied to the light-colored varieties of the sweet potato.

Yancey, WILLIAM LOWNDES, a highly distinguished southern orator, was born at. Ogeechee Shoals, Georgia, Aug. 10, 1815. After receiving a collegiate education he was admitted to the bar in Abbeville, South Carolina, but in 1836 moved to Alabama, where he successively edited the Cahawba Democrat and the Wetumka Argus. He was a member of congress in 1844-'47, and in all the events leading to the secession of the southern states was one of the most prominent and perhaps the most eloquent leader of the proslavery party-the extent of his influence in firing the southern heart" and inducing the effort to secede can hardly be overestimated. When the war broke out he was sent to Europe as the agent of the confederate government, but failed to secure its recognition by any of the European powers.

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Yankee, the popular name for a New Englander in America, and in Europe often appled indiscriminately to the entire population of the United States, was, in its origin, a corruption of the word English as pronounced by the Indians-Yenghies, Yanghies, Yankees. It seems to have been first applied by the British soldiers to the New Englanders as a term of reproach during the revolutionary war. During the late civil war it was applied by the southern people to all the inhabitants of the northern states.

Yankee Doodle. This popular air was originally Nankee Doodle, and is as old as the time of Cromwell. It was known in New England before the revolution, and is said to have been played by the English troops in derisive allusion to the then popular name of the New Englanders; and afterwards the New Englanders adopted the air.

Yankton, a city of South Dakota, stands on the north bank of the Missouri river about 1,000 miles above its junction with the Mississippi. It is a terminus of the Dakota Southern railroad, and is connected by steamer with various points on the river. Popula tion, 4,500.

Yates, EDMUND HODGSON, English novelist and dramatic critic, was born in London in the year 1831, and after serving for a number of years in one of the departments of the London post office, retired in 1872. He has successively edited Our Miscellany, Temple Bar and the World newspaper, besides writ ing several novels and dramas.

Yates, RICHARD, was born at Warsaw, Kentucky, Jan. 18, 1818, and after

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graduating at Illinois College, studied law and was admitted to the bar. He served a number of terms in the Illinois legislature, and during the civil war was governor of that state, in which position he won a very enviable reputation for zeal and patriotism as well as for the vigor and efficiency he manifested in organizing and equipping the troops of his state. So great was his popularity with the people of Illinois, among whom he was familiarly known as "Dick" Yates, that as soon as his term as governor expired, he was chosen to a seat in the United States senate, which he filled till March 4, 1871. He died in St. Louis Nov. 27, 1873.

Yazoo, a river of Mississippi formed by the union of the Tallahatchie and the Yallobusha, runs southwestward in a very serpentine course in a deep, narrow, sluggish channel-its length being about 300 miles-and empties into the Mississippi 10 or 12 miles above Vicksburg. In the winter of 1863-'64, General William T. Sherman sailed up the Yazoo with a considerable military force, for the purpose of capturing the fortified position of "Haines' Bluff" from the confederates, preparatory to an attack on Vicksburg, but the expedition was unsuccessful.

Yeast, a foaming mass of a bitter taste and acid reaction formed during the process of fermentation of certain fluids. On examining it under the microscope it is found to consist mainly of small oval cells of a vegetable nature, known as the yeast cells or the yeastplant. In baking bread the dough before being made into loaves is mixed with yeast to make it "rise." Yeast is also used very extensively in the manufacture of beer.

Yeddo. See TOKIO.

Yellow Bird, a native of North America, where it is widely distributed. Yellow birds are often seen in large numbers feeding on seeds of thistles and other plants, seldom alighting on the ground. The song of this bird is very pleasing; and it is a sprightly and attractive cage-bird, easily tamed, and capable of learning many tricks.

Yellow Sea, an important inlet of the Pacific ocean, washes the northeast coast of China, and is bounded on the west by the Chinese provinces of Shangtung and Keang-su, and on the east by the peninsula of the Corea and Japan. It is more than 600 miles in length and about 400 in average breadth. Its waters are shallow and are gradu

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YELLOWSTONE PARK

ally becoming more so, owing to the deposits of earth borne down into it by the Hoang-ho and the Yang-tse-Kiang rivers.

Yellow Springs, a village of Greene county, Ohio, 75 miles from Cincinnati on the Springfield branch of the Panhandle railroad. It is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural region and is chiefly noted as being the seat of Antioch College, an Unitarian institution of which the distinguished Horace Mann was the first president. Population, 1,377.

Yellowstone, a river of the United States, rises in a beautiful lake of the same name high up in the Rocky mountains, and receiving numerous branches from the south, flows northeasterly through the territory of Montana and empties into the Missouri river in the state of North Dakota in 48° N. latitude and 104° W. longitude. It is 800 yards wide at its mouth, is 1,000 miles long and is navigable for 700 or 800 miles. The Grand Cañon of the Yellowstone is 3,000 feet deep, and to one looking up from the bottom stars are visible in broad daylight. The grandeur of the cañon is at once heightened and diversified by the upper and lower falls, the latter being one unbroken symmetrical expanse 350 feet in height. The beautiful lake from which the river issues is about 300 square miles in area, and is situated between 7,000 and 8,000 feet above the level of the sea.

Yellowstone Park, a tract of country 60 miles in length and 50 miles in breadth, situated mainly in the northwestern part of the state of Wyoming, which has been withdrawn from settlement by action of the United States government and set apart as a public park. It is a region of hot springs and geysers, mountains and cañons, lakes and waterfalls. Its surface is mainly an undulating plateau, with a mean elevation of 8,000 feet above the level of the sea, upon the surface of which flow the minor streams, while the larger ones have cut cañons for themselves, several of them of great depth. The eastern portion, however, is occupied by a mountain chain, known as the Absaroka range, peaks of which rise to heights exceeding 11,000 feet. These mountains, which separate the waters of the Yellowstone from those of the Big Horn, are unsurpassed by any in the United States for grandeur and sublimity of scenery. Another group

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