guard was refused, and her independence of character and bluntness of manners soon deprived her of the imperial friendship and favor. Retired from court, she devoted herself to study and the society of scholars; and after the death of her husband, she travelled through the west of Europe, where she made the acquaintance of many celebrated men of the age. Among others, she visited Voltaire at Ferney in 1771. On her return to St. Petersburg in 1782, she met with a more favorable disposition on the part of the empress, who appointed her to the presidency of the academy of sciences, and in 1784 to that of the new Russian academy, established upon her proposition in imitation of the French academy. She took an active part in the elaboration of the great Russian dictionary, which was completed according to her plan. She also wrote plays, and contributions in prose and verse for periodicals, and edited a monthly magazine. After the death of Catharine (1796), she was commanded by her successor, Paul, who was no admirer of the acts of his mother, to retire to a poor village in the government of Novgorod, "where she could meditate on the events of 1762." The intercession of her friends finally released her from this exile, and she spent the last years of her life on an estate near Moscow. The "Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw, Lady of Honor to Catharine II., edited from the Originals by Mrs. Bradford" (2 vols. 8vo., London, 1840), were written after a manuscript of the princess which has been destroyed. DASYA, a beautiful genus of the red-seeded marine algae, of which there are several species peculiar to this country. The pear-shaped spores or seeds are borne upon the smaller branches in ovate conceptacles. D. elegans is found upon the New England coasts. DATCHET, a pleasant village of Buckinghamshire, England, on the Thames, opposite Windsor, much resorted to in summer by anglers and other pleasure seekers; pop. in 1851, 898. It is renowned as the scene of Sir John Falstaff's adventure with the " merry wives of Windsor" on Datchet mead. DATE PALM, the phenix of botanists, the Greek name of the date, probably from the word Phoenicia, from which country the best dates were brought. It grows abundantly in Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the neighboring countries, contributing largely to the support of the inhabitants. P. dactylifera is a lofty palm. Scarcely any other vegetable enters so largely into the uses of man. A single date palm will bear upward of 1 cwt., and sometimes between 2 and 3 cwt., of dates in a season. Camels are fed upon the abortive fruit and the ground date stones. From the leaves are manufactured couches, baskets, bags, mats, brushes, &c.; from the trunk, fences for gardens, and fuel. The fibrous parts of the bases of the leaves afford thread to spin into ropes and rigging, and the sap is capable of fermentation for beverage. Even the young shoots are used as a delicate vegetable resembling asparagus, and the central pith yields a sort of starch of nutritive properties. Other species are known to botanists, but this is the most useful to man. DATE PLUM (diospyros, Linn.), better known in the western states of this country as the persimmon. Like this, the fruit of all the date plums are small and at first astringent, but sweet and edible when ripe. D. lotus bears a fruit of the size of a cherry; D. discolor of the Philippine islands produces a fine fruit; and D. Kaki of Japan bears fruit of the size of an apricot, which is dried as a sweetmeat by the Chinese. Most of these plants are tropical. DATISCA, a genus of plants related to the nettles, indigenous to the south of Europe. The D. cannabnia is a large, coarse, perennial, herbaceous plant, its juices possessing a bitter, tonic property, and the fibres of its stalks resembling those of hemp. Its flowers are borne in clusters in the axils of the bracts, and are of no particular beauty. DATIVE, in grammar, the 3d case in the declension of nouns, expressing the state or relation of a thing to which some other thing is attributed or conferred. It derives its name from the passive participle of the Latin verb meaning "to give," and designates a relation corresponding to that expressed in English by the prepositions to and for. Thus in the phrase, "to give peace to the republic," the word "republic" would in the classic languages be put in the dative case without a preposition. DATURA, a genus of rank, poisonous, narcotic plants, having showy flowers, some of which possess fragrance as well as beauty. The word datura is said to be derived from the Arabic tâtórah, which indicates the oriental origin of the herb. The most common is an Asiatic or perhaps tropical American species known as thorn apple (D. tatula), found about waste grounds near dwellings. This is considered as a variety of D. stramonium, whose blossoms are white, and growing near the sea-shores. The leaves and the seeds of the stramonium are officinal. From the green capsules and ripe seeds an alkaline extract is obtained, called daturia, which crystallizes from its solution in alcohol or water into colorless, shining, aggregated prisms. This is very poisonous. Stramonium produces delirium, and even maniacal symptoms. The delirium is peculiar, disposing to ridiculous exhibitions. The dried leaves, when smoked like tobacco, have been recommended in the treatment of asthma, sometimes with benefit, and the plant has even acquired great reputation. D. fastuosa has a polished, purple stalk, large leaves, beautiful flowers, of a rich purple color outside, pure satiny white within, of an agreeable odor, sometimes also having semi-double blossoms. The odor of D. Wrightii is also pleasant; its flowers are large, of a creamy white, delicately tinted with violet as they fade. D. arborea, now Brugmansia, is one of the greatest ornaments of gardens; its flowers are trumpetshaped, nearly a foot in length, coming out of the division of the branches, of a pale yellow ish color outside and white within, and diffusing a delightful fragrance in the open air. They are all raised from seeds or propagated by cuttings, and even the roots of the herbaceous kinds survive by protecting them from severe frosts. DAUB, KARL, a German theologian, born in Cassel, March 20, 1765, studied in Marburg, and was professor of theology in Heidelberg from 1794 to his death, Nov. 22, 1836. He wrote Theologumena (Heidelberg, 1806) under the influence of Schelling's philosophy; "Judas Iscariot," a treatise on the origin of moral evil (Heidelberg, 1816); "Theological and Philosophical Lectures" (7 vols., Berlin, 1838-'44); and "Hypotheses in regard to the Freedom of the Will" (Altona, 1834), a valuable criticism on the different theories concerning the nature and freedom of the will. DAUBENTON, LOUIS JEAN MARIE, & French naturalist, born at Montbar, Côte d'Or, May 29, 1716, died in Paris, Jan. 1, 1800. His father destined him for the church, and sent him to Paris to study theology; but he secretly devoted himself to medicine. The death of his father left him free to follow his inclination, and he took his medical degrees at Rheims in 1740 and 1741. Buffon, who had taken charge of the jardin des plantes, required at that time an assistant of an observing spirit and a skilful hand, content to occupy a secondary position, as it were the eye and hand of his governing mind; and such an assistant he found in his old schoolmate Daubenton. The prudence of the latter, added to the strength of his associate, gave to their joint work on quadrupeds a completeness and accuracy which could hardly have been expected at that time; as Cuvier says, Daubenton was useful to Buffon, not so much for what he did for him, as for that which he prevented him from doing. He went to Paris about 1742, and was made demonstrator and keeper of the cabinet of natural history in 1745; his salary was at first only $150 per annum, but by degrees it was raised to $800, with certain perquisites and free lodgings. While carrying out zealously the views of Buffon, he was also laying the foundation for his own fame as a naturalist. It is principally to Daubenton that France owes its cabinets of natural history at the jardin des plantes. Before his time this collection was little more than a drug-shop; in the course of a few years he increased the specimens in every department a hundred fold, arranged and named them; discovered and perfected processes for the preservation of organic matters; mounted birds and quadrupeds in the most natural manner, displaying every characteristic. The study and arrangement of these objects became the all-absorbing passion of his life; and toward the end of his career, when the victories of Napoleon brought a great accession of specimens, he was often seen in the museum; even in his 84th year, with bent body and gouty extremities, he was supported daily in his visit to the mineralogical cabinet, the only portion which remained in his charge under the new organization. In the "History of Quadrupeds" are given DAUBENTON descriptions of the external and internal organs of 182 species, of which 58 had never before been dissected, and 13 not previously described; there are also external descriptions of 26 species, of which 5 were unknown; the arrangement and character of the descriptions are excellent; the innumerable new facts presented bearing upon internal structure may be considered as the first attempt in France to place comparative anatomy upon a basis of observation. The appearance of this work brought him great fame, and at the same time not a little annoyance. Réaumur at that time stood at the head of the list of naturalists, which position he deserved for his observations on insects; he was considerably alarmed, then, to find himself in danger of being eclipsed by these new rivals, whose novel views and captivating style excited the attention of the public. While Daubenton was receiving the homage of naturalists, Buffon flatterers of the latter persuaded him that he was fêted and praised at court; and some of the would do better to dispense with the services of his scientific associate. This advice Buffon followed in his 8vo. edition of the Histoire naturelle (13 vols.), from which he cut out all the contributed by Daubenton; the history of birds anatomical details and descriptions of animals and of minerals he also wrote alone. The regrets of naturalists at the inferior and inaccurate execution of these subsequent works of Buffon must have been a great consolation to Daubenton, who, beside the affront thus put upon him, lost an income of $2,400 a year. In order to retain his situation at the jardin des plantes, he forgot the insult and the loss, and quietly conforget Buffon's injustice, that he contributed to tinued his labors. So completely indeed did he many parts of the work, without attaching his name to his labors; and it is certain that Buffon used his manuscripts in his "History of Minerals." Their intimacy was afterward revived, and was interrupted only at the death of Buffon. During the 18 years of the publication of the 4to. edition of the "History of Quadrupeds," Daubenton contributed but little to the memoirs of the academy; but after that period he wrote much in the publications of the academy, of the institute, and of medical and agricultural societies. He discovered 6 new species of mammals edge of comparative anatomy to the determinacommon in France; he first applied his knowltion of fossil remains of quadrupeds; he gave the characteristic differences between man and monkeys; he made many valuable additions to the sciences of mineralogy and vegetable physiology; his contributions to agriculture and rural economy were so valuable, and made his name so popular among the masses, that he had no difficulty in retaining his position of director of the national museum through the stormy period of the revolution, which menaced even the life of many naturalists. In 1773, at his suggestion, one of the chairs of practical medicine in the college of France was changed into one of natural history, and he was appointed to fill it in 1775; and in 1783 he lectured on rural economy at the veterinary college of Alfort. Disappointed under the old régime, he obtained from the national convention the conversion of the cabinets of the jardin des plantes into a special school of natural history, in which he was appointed professor of mineralogy; he discharged the duties of this office until his death, keeping fully up with the progress of this rapidly advancing science; even at the age of 80 he took delight in explaining to his classes the brilliant discoveries of Haûy, his former pupil. He gave a few lectures at the normal school during its brief existence, always exciting the greatest enthusiasm in his numerous audience. He contributed to the Encyclopédie méthodique the articles on quadrupeds, reptiles, and fishes, remarkable for their exactness and clearness; he was also engaged in editing the Journal des savans. With a feeble constitution, and always at work, he arrived at an advanced age without painful infirmities; this was owing to a careful study of himself, and the avoidance of all excesses of body or mind; his regimen was temperate and uniform; always enjoying the comforts of life, he cared not for fame or fortune, and was peculiarly free from that vanity and love of approbation which has been the stumbling block in the path of so many illustrious men. His studies were for him rather an amusement than a task; a portion of his time was daily devoted to reading with his wife romances and other light literature, which he called "putting his mind on diet." This relaxation from labor, and the regularity of his habits, contributed much to that amenity which rendered his society so agreeable. He had naturally a good opinion of his fellows; having had but little intercourse with the world, and absorbed in the contemplation of nature, his mind, so acute in the detection of scientific error, could never suspect falsehood in man when presented under a pleasing exterior. Chosen a member of the senate in Dec. 1799, Daubenton wished to perform the duties of his office; being obliged to change the routine of his simple habits and to expose himself at a rigorous season of the year, on his first meeting with the senate he was seized with apoplexy, and fell senseless into the arms of his colleagues; notwithstanding the most prompt and scientific medical assistance, he regained consciousness only for a few moments, during which he displayed the greatest calinness, indicating the progress of the paralysis which was soon to prove fatal. His funeral was attended by citizens of all ranks, ages, and professions, anxious to show the last tribute of respect to a public benefactor. His remains were interred in the jardin des plantes, which he loved so well, and which he may be almost said to have created; on the eastern slope of a hill near the conservatories is a granite column, supported on a base of other mineral products, which marks his grave. DAUBENY, CHARLES GILES BRIDLE, an English natural philosopher, born in Gloucestershire, distinguished for his researches in chemistry, which have been especially directed to elucidate the phenomena exhibited by volcanoes and the growth of plants. One of his first publications was "An Essay on the Geology and Chemical Phenomena of Volcanoes" (1824). His principal work on the same subject is enti tled "A Description of Active and Extinct Volcanoes" (2d edition, 1848). The subject led him to investigate the composition of mineral and thermal waters. He visited the United States in 1837, and directed his observations particularly to mineral springs, of which, and of the geology of North America, he published accounts in the papers of the Ashmolean society and of the British association in 1838. His papers upon the volcanoes of Italy, and the extinct volcanoes of central France, possess great geological interest, from the application of the principles enunciated to explain the changes taking place in the interior. He proposed the theory of the bases of the earths existing in a metallic state, and by their oxidation giving rise to the phenomena of volcanic fires. Those upon the chemical actions exhibited in the growth of plants display a similar talent in original investigation. D'AUBIGNE. See AUBIGNÉ, MERLE D'. DAUDIN, FRANÇOIS MARIE, a French naturalist, born in Paris, March 25, 1774, died in 1804. His most valuable work is Histoire naturelle générale et particulière des reptiles, pour faire suite à l'Histoire naturelle de Buffon (8 vols. 8vo., 1802-'4). DAULIS, a city of ancient Greece, in Phocis, near the confines of Boeotia, destroyed by the Persians during their second invasion of Hellas, and subsequently by Alexander the Great. But its strong position on the summit of a lofty hill rendering it important as a military station, it was rebuilt, and survived till the Christian era. Daulis is famous in mythology as the scene of the tragic events contained in the myths of Tereus, Procne, and Philomela. Its ruins are still to be seen near the modern village of Dhavlia. DAUMAS, MELCHIOR JOSEPH EUGÈNE, & French general, born Sept. 4, 1803, distinguished for his military services in Algeria, and still more for the important part which his familiarity with the language and characteristics of the native population enabled him to take in the administration of the colonial government. After his return to France he was intrusted (April, 1850) with the direction of Algerian affairs in the ministry of war. He published in conjunction with M. Ausone de Chancel a comprehensive work on the southern portion of the French colonies in Algeria, Le Sahara Algérien (Paris, 1845); and in concert with M. Fabar (who died in 1849 during the siege of Rome), La grande Kabylie, études historiques (1847). He has also supplied the leading French reviews with valuable information on the same subject, and written many other works on Algeria, the most important of which are Principes généraux du cavalier Arabe (4th ed. 1855), trans lated into German; Maurs et coutumes de l'Algérie (3d ed. 1857, 18mo.); and Les chevaux du Sahara (4th ed. 1857), translated into Spanish and German. DAUMER, GEORG FRIEDRICH, a German poet and philosophical writer, born at Nuremberg, March 5, 1800, studied at the gymnasium of his native city, at that time under the direction of Hegel, and subsequently at the universities of Erlangen, where Schelling was his professor of philosophy, and of Leipsic, devoting himself first to theology, but soon after to philosophy. He officiated as professor at the gymnasium of Nuremberg, from about 1822 to 1830, when he was obliged to tender his resignation in consequence of ill health, and afterward devoted himself exclusively to literary labors. His works, some of which have appeared under the noms de plume of Amadeus Ottokar and Eusebius Emmeran, are less remarkable for their originality than for the boldness and anti-christian tendency of his theories, which are chiefly based upon the systems of Schelling and Hegel. DAUMIER, HENRI, a French artist, one of the contributors to the Paris Charivari, born in Marseilles in 1810. Among his best efforts are his illustrations of "Robert Macaire" and his caricatures of the politicians of 1848 (Réprésentants réprésentés, and Idylles parlémentaires). DAUN, LEOPOLD JOSEPH MARIA VON, count, generalissimo of the imperial troops in the 7 years' war, born in Vienna, April 25, 1705, died Feb. 5, 1766. He took a distinguished part in the war against the Turks (1737-'39) and in the Silesian wars (1740-41 and 1744-45). In the 7 years' war he won the battles of Collin (1757) and Hochkirch (1758), and captured in Saxony the Prussian general Fink, with 11,000 Prussians (1759). Laudon lost the same year the battle of Liegnitz, because Daun failed to relieve him; and Daun lost the battle of Torgau (1760), after having won it in the daytime, by Ziethen's cavalry attack at night, and was himself wounded. DAUNOU, PIERRE CLAUDE FRANÇOIS, a French scholar and politician, born at Boulogne-sur-Mer, Aug. 18, 1761, died at Paris, June 20, 1840. At 16 he entered the order of the Oratorians, and taught literature, philosophy, and theology in several of their colleges. In 1792 he was elected to the national convention by the department of Pas-de-Calais, in conjunction with Carnot and Thomas Paine. He denied the right of the convention to try Louis XVI., and voted for his detention only. On the fall of the Girondists he signed a protest against the illegal proceedings of May 31, in consequence of which he was arrested. He resumed his seat after the 9th Thermidor, and took a conspicuous part in the framing of the constitution of the year III. On the establishment of the directory, he entered the council of 500, of which he was the first president. In 1797 he went to Italy, where he participated in the organization of the Roman republic. He was reëlected to the council of 500 in 1798, and was a member of the committee appointed after the 18th Brumaire to prepare, in conjunction with the provisional consuls, the new constitution of the year VIII. He declined a seat in the council of state offered to him by Bonaparte, and became a member of the tribunate; but his independence of character caused him to be ejected from this body in 1802. In 1804 he was appointed keeper of the archives of the legislative body, and in 1807 of those of France, which office was taken from him in 1815 by the Bourbons, and restored to him in 1830 by Louis Philippe. In 1818 he was made professor of history and morals in the college of France, and elected to the chamber of deputies, and became a peer in 1839. His publications, which are mostly historical, are distinguished by thorough learning, keen criticism, and a perspicuous style. Among his principal works are his continuation of Rulhière's Histoire de l'anarchie de Pologne; Essai historique sur la puissance temporelle des papes; and Cours d'études historiques, an invaluable repertory of knowledge, published after his death. He was also an important contributor to the Journal des savans. DAUPHIN, the title of the eldest son of the king of France, heir presumptive of the crown. The title descended also to his eldest son, as after the death of the grand dauphin, son of Louis XIV., but not to the king's brother. The official designation was: "By the grace of God, eldest son of the king of France, and dauphin of Viennois." It was first connected with the reigning family upon the cession of the province of Dauphiné, April 23, 1349, made by Humbert of Viennois (whose ancestors, according to some historians, early in the 12th century assumed the dolphin as their device or symbol, whence the title), to Charles (afterward Charles V.), grandson of Philip VI., on condition that the eldest sons of the king of France should thenceforth bear the title of dauphin. The last dauphin was Louis Antoine, duc d'Angoulême, who took the title on the accession of his father Charles X. to the throne. After the abdication of Charles X. he also abdicated in favor of his nephew the duc de Bordeaux. The seigneurs of the house of Auvergne were also called dauphins d'Auvergne, and formerly by colloquial usage the eldest son of any family was called a dauphin. DAUPHIN, a S. E. co. of Penn., bounded W. and S. W. by the Susquehanna river, and drained by many small streams; area, 530 sq. m.; pop. in 1850, 35,754. The Kittatinny or Blue mountain crosses the middle of the county, and several parallel ridges extend on each side of it, while South mountain runs along the S. border. Between these ranges there are fertile valleys, those of the S. being of limestone formation and especially fruitful. The N. part is rich in anthracite coal, and iron ore is also found. The productions in 1850 were 340,755 bushels of Indian corn, 308,879 of wheat, 370,027 of oats, 115,827 of potatoes, 27 814 tons of hay, and 575,668 lbs. of butter. There were 37 grist mills, 19 saw mills, 2 coal mines, 4 iron furnaces, 2 founderies, 2 forges, 1 rolling mill, 1 powder mill, 8 manufactories of agricultural implements, 5 woollen factories, 15 tanneries, 7 newspaper offices, 84 churches, and 6,223 pupils attending public schools. The Susquehanna canal passes along the W. border, and the county is crossed by the Union canal, and by the east Pennsylvania, Cumberland valley, and northern central railroads. Organized in 1785, and named in honor of the dauphin of France. Capital, Harrisburg. DAUPHINÉ, an ancient province in the S. E. part of France, bounded N. and W. by the Rhone, E. by the Alps, S. by Provence. Its surface is highly varied and picturesque, intersected by branches from the Alps. Dauphiné became one of the provinces of France in 1349, when the eldest son of the king assumed the title of dauphin. The people proved faithful to their new prince, but maintained their provincial rights and privileges with unfailing firmness. This spirit of independence broke out on the eve of the revolution, and the provincial estates of Dauphiné were the first to urge on the royal government the necessity of summoning the states-general of the kingdom. The province now forms the departments of the Isère and Hautes-Alpes, and part of the Drôme, with an aggregate population of 1,000,000. Grenoble was its capital. DAVENANT, SIR WILLIAM, an English dramatist, born at Oxford in 1605, died April 17, 1668. Shakespeare on his journeys from London to Stratford was in the habit of stopping at the tavern kept by his father at Oxford; and there is a scandalous story that he was the natural son of the great dramatist, which does not seem, however, to rest on any good authority. But this much is certain, that a striking resemblance existed between him and Shakespeare, and that the latter took considerable notice of the youth, who, at the age of 10 years, penned a sonnet "in remembrance of Master William Shakespeare." Leaving college without completing the usual academic course, he became page to the duchess of Richmond, and afterward to Lord Brooke, who, himself a man of letters, took pleasure in encouraging his page's poetic talents. About 1628 he began to be known by his masques, which were played at court by the nobility of both sexes. In 1638, on the death of Ben Jonson, he was appointed poet laureate. During the civil wars he remained faithful to the royal cause, for which the king knighted him, and also made him a lieutenant-general of artillery. He was once arrested as a royalist, but effected his escape to France. While at the court of the queen-mother Henrietta he conceived the project of leading a colony of French artisans to Virginia. The ship, however, was captured by a parliamentary cruiser, and he was carried prisoner to England. After 2 years' imprisonment he was released, on the intercession, it is said, of the poet Milton. Being without means of support, and plays being now out of fashion, he composed a number of entertainments of a moral cast, which proved successful. At the restoration he obtained the privilege of forming a new company of comedians, and being in favor with the reigning powers, was enabled to show his gratitude to Milton by interesting himself in his behalf. He contributed much, as manager of the court theatre in the reign of Charles II., to improve theatrical performances. He introduced movable scenery, richer costumes, and closer attention to the accessories generally. His works consist of fugitive pieces of versification, dramas, of which the best is the "Siege of Rhodes," masques, and an unfinished epic somewhat ponderous in style, entitled "Gondibert."-CHARLES, an English political writer, eldest son of the preceding, born in 1656, died Nov. 14, 1714. He was graduated as doctor of civil law at Oxford, and was a member of parliament in 1685, 1698, and 1700. In 1685 he was appointed inspector of plays, in conjunction with the master of the revels, and from 1703 to the time of his death he officiated as inspector-general of exports and imports. In his youth he composed a tragedy, called "Circe," in which he himself acted. A selection of his political and commercial works was published by Sir Charles Whitworth (London, 5 vols. 8vo.). DAVENPORT, a city and the capital of Scott co., Iowa, on the right bank of the Mississippi, just below the upper rapids, opposite Rock Island, Illinois, and 55 m. E. from Iowa City; pop. in 1840, 600; in 1850, 1,848; in 1856, 11,500; in March, 1858, 16,677. Of the last number 50 per cent. were Americans, 20 per cent. Germans, and 12 per cent. Irish. In the township outside of the city there were beside about 1,500 inhabitants. The city is built at the foot of a bluff rising gradually from the river, and enclosed on the land side by an amphitheatre of regular hills half a mile in the rear. The back country is a rich farming region. The city presents the aspect of a prosperous commercial and manufacturing mart. It has direct communication with Chicago by the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, which terminates at Rock Island, and with Iowa City by the Mississippi and Missouri railroad, finished as far as the state capital, and designed to extend to the W. border of the state. A magnificent railroad bridge across the Mississippi connects the 2 cities of Davenport and Rock Island. It is 1,582 feet long, has 5 arches, and rises 21 feet above highwater mark. On the Iowa side there is a draw for steamboats, but the work has been much complained of, as an obstruction to navigation, particularly by citizens of St. Louis, and a legal decision has lately been rendered against the bridge. It was commenced in 1854 and finished in 1856. Davenport is regularly laid out, and beside the county buildings, contains many imposing edifices. It is the seat cf Iowa col |