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places in June, but at the same time proposed the postponement of the debate.

The elections for provincial councils, held on May 22d, resulted in favor of the Liberal party in Antwerp, Liége, Tournay, and Ghent, while the Catholic party was successful in Namur, Bruges, and Louvain. The elections for the House of Representatives took place on June 13th. The Liberals had hoped to obtain a majority in the new House, but were disappointed in this, the political situation remaining virtually unchanged. At Brussels and Liége the Liberals carried the day without a contest. At Ostend, Philippeville, and Arlon, they defeated their opponents; and at Malines, Turnhout, Louvain, Courtrai, Dixmude, Roulers, Thielt, Dinant, and Bastogne, they were beaten. The Catholics, in spite of opposition,

maintained their positions at Bruges-where, however, they had only a majority of eightat Furnes, Namur, Marchin, Neufchâteau, Virton, and Antwerp. The Catholic party gained a seat at Ypres by the defeat of M. Alphonse Vandenpeereboom, a Liberal, and formerly Minister of the Interior. On the other hand, it lost two seats at Nivelles, where its candidates were replaced by Liberals who were returned by a large majority. The Catholic ministry had a majority of fourteen in the pre-. vious Chamber. The Liberals having gained two seats at Nivelles and lost one at Ypres, the Catholic loss was reduced to one seat, or a displacement of two votes, still leaving the Catholics a majority of twelve. Great excitement prevailed in many of the larger towns on election-day. In Antwerp the people thronged

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the streets singing and hooting; blows with walking-sticks were exchanged, and some windows broken. The same scenes took place at Brussels, but on a smaller scale. Later in the evening the disturbances became more serious. A house was demolished, and more than fifty shots were fired by the troops of the line. At Ghent a monster demonstration was made in front of the Catholic Club, and the windows were broken by the mob. The disturbances continued for several days. Crowds continued to hoot and hiss in front of Catholic institutes, so that the authorities were forced to protect them by the civic guards. In Brussels the rioters, to the number of many thousands, marched through the streets shoutIng, "Down with the ministry!" and attacked and wrecked a Catholic institution. The police charged upon the mob, wounding several and arresting a large number. One result of the electoral defeat of the Liberals is, that Antwerp has taken the initiative of an agitation which is to be extended to all the large towns. This agitation is to be for the purpose of ob

taining a change in the existing electoral law. The vote is now given by arrondissement, and the consequence is, that in four large townsGhent, Antwerp, Bruges, and Namur-where the great majority of the electors are Liberals, they are swamped by the rural electors, who are completely under the sway of the Catholic clergy. The reform proposed by the Liberals would completely do away with this state of affairs, and would secure to the large cities a Liberal representation.

On February 13th the Catholic party arranged a large demonstration in Malines for the purpose of celebrating the election of a city council, and to offset similar demonstrations arranged by the Liberals in Antwerp and Ghent. The Catholic associations in the kingdom had generally been invited, and numerous delegations, with many of the prominent leaders of the party, took part in the festivities. The meeting was followed by a banquet, at which the first toast was the Pope, and the second the King. Upon the departure of the guests, disturbances occurred at the depot, which

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formed the subject of an interpellation in the House. The Minister of the Interior promised a thorough investigation and the punishment of the guilty. In the animated debate which ensued in the House, the Catholics held the entire Liberal party responsible for the disturbances.

BELFRY OF BRUGES.

Brussels was the seat of several important international conferences during the year. The Health Congress, held in September, was preceded by an international exhibition of objects relating to public health and safety. The exhibition was opened by the King on June 26th. Upon arriving at the entrance the King was received by the Count of Flanders and the chief members of the executive and the various committees, including M. Warocque, the President of the Chamber of Representatives, General Renard, Lord Alfred S. Churchill, and Major Burgess, chairman and secretary of the British Committee. The opening ceremony was of a very simple character. An address to the King and Queen was read by M. Warocque, who dwelt on the difference between this and other exhibitions, explaining its objects and intentions, and expressing the gratification of the executive at the aid they had received from other countries. The address concluded with a few words especially addressed to the Queen, and referring to the interest she is known to take in the Belgian Red-Cross Society. The King responded very

briefly, merely expressing his gratification at the excellent prospects of the exhibition, and the pleasure he felt in opening it. The members of the different committees were then presented to him in a reception-room which had been prepared for the purpose, and afterward proceeded to their different galleries, where they attended the King in his inspection of each in turn. The exhibition building, which was in the park, was of rather a singular character. In order to interfere as little as possible with the ordinary condition of the park, it was made to follow the lines of the walks, and therefore consisted of a number of long buildings of different widths, meeting at the points of junction of the paths, but otherwise separate. Each country had a whole building or part of one, and was thus compelled to make the best appearance it could, without much reference to the general effect. Of the countries exhibiting, Belgium had the most space, with England following closely, these two being the largest exhibitors. France, Germany, and Russia, were well represented, while Austria, Hungary, Italy, Norway and Sweden, Holland, Denmark, and Switzerland, the other contributing countries, were not so largely, and the United States was not at all, represented.

The Health Congress, which was held as an appendix to the exhibition, was in session from September 27th to October 4th, and was attended by delegates from all European countries. The Congress divided itself into five sections, which held their sessions in the mornings, while in the afternoons all the sections united to a common session. Of the common sessions, six were held. In the first the important question of laborers' dwellings was discussed. The debate limited itself to the question

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30th were devoted to a consideration of the question of the safety of the emigrants, the establishment of the cause of death and proper modes of interment. In its last three sessions the Health Congress considered the question of the best manner to check the excessive use of liquor by the laboring classes, the measures to be employed for the organization of aid societies for sick and wounded in war, and the best system of cleaning large cities.

A Geographical Congress was opened in Brussels on September 12th by the King in person. In his opening address he pointed to the growing interest taken in the civilization and exploration of Africa. He stated that for some time past the persons engaged in this task had recognized the necessity of a closer union between all explorers for the furtherance of their common efforts, and that for this reason the Congress had been called. He then emphasized the necessity of organizing stations for - scientific purposes at the boundaries of the unexplored parts of Africa, and for the execution of this work proposed the establishment of an international committee. The Congress then elected the King its president, who thereupon took the chair, this being the first time that a king presided at another than a political congress. The Congress was addressed by the African explorers Nachtigal, Schweinfurth, Rohlfs, Lieutenant Lux, Commander Cameron, and Colonel Grant, on the results of their explorations. Commander Negri, of Italy, reported on the misfortunes of the Italian expedition to Central Africa, and Minister Baron Hofmann, of Austria, on Gessi's and Piaggla's latest journeys in the territory between the Albert Nyanza and the Victoria Nyanza. The question of establishing stations for scientific purposes in the interior of Africa was then discussed. Sir H. Rawlinson made particular reference to the military stations of Colonel Gordon on the Upper Nile, and Sir FowellBuxton to the stations of the English Missionary Society, which penetrated farther into the interior every year. Sir Rutherford Alcock particularly proposed the erection of a strong station on the east coast opposite Zanzibar. After resolving to advocate the erection of such stations, the Congress adjourned on September 14th. On October 5th the permanent commission for the measurement of a degree assembled in the Royal Academy. The conference was opened by the Minister of the Interior, and adjourned to meet in Stuttgart in September, 1877.

BELOOCHISTAN, a country of Asia, bounded north by Afghanistan, east by British India, south by the Indian Ocean, and west by Persia. The government is under several rulers, of whom the Khan of Kelat is the most important. After deducting the territory in the west, which has been ceded to Persia, the area amounts, according to the latest calculations, to 106,750 square miles. The population was estimated by Dieterici in 1859, under the sup

position of a density of twelve inhabitants to the square mile, and an area of 165,800 square miles, at about 2,000,000. At an area of 106,750 square miles the same density would givo a population of only 1,250,000. Major-General Obrutches, however, estimates the total population in 1868 at only 1,000,000, which gives a density of about nine to the square mile.*

The Bolan Pass, a defile in the mountains of Northwestern Beloochistan, on the route between the Lower Indus and the table-land of Afghanistan, is not only one of the most remarkable mountain-passes of the world, but has of late gained a considerable political importance for the British rule in India.

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A rebellion against the Khan of Kelat, which had broken out in 1875, and continued during a part of the year 1876, led to a British diplomatic mission to Kelat. Emil Schlagintweit (in the Augsburg Gazette, No. 58, 1876) gives the following report on the disturbances: "According to the British scouts, the sovereign is the sole cause of the civil war now raging in Kelat, on the western border of India. His oppressions had caused the high dignitaries of the country to forget their old feuds, and to unite against the Khan. Nasr'ed-din and Tadsh Mohammed, Princes of Las, the southern province of Beloochistan, became the leaders of the rebels. As the Khan did not succeed in conquering his enemies in the open field, he pretended friendship, enticed them to his capital in the fall of 1875, and there had them murdered. But the cause of order was but little aided by this deed, and the Khan and his chiefs were much farther from an understanding than before. Disorders increased, as the

*For a more detailed account of the population of Beloochistan, see ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for 1875.

trade with India was completely at a standstill. The Indian Government now resolved to send off a commissioner to establish peace, and secure safe escorts for caravans. The commissioner, Major Sandeman, left British territory in December, and was received with great attentions by the Khan. The latter also promised safe escorts for the caravans from India, and showed himself inclined to treat with the rebels. But the murder of his chief opponents had irritated the people against him to such a degree that the British commissioner saw but little prospect of bringing about the desired result. In the mean while the commissioner of Sinde, Sir William Merewether, was ordered to proceed to the border, that he might be nearer to the scene of action. He accordingly made his headquarters in the border fortress of Jacobabad, whose garrison, consisting in part of 1,410 men, was considerably increased."

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Major Sandeman, with his escort of 1,000 men, met the Khan and his rebellious chiefs at Mastung, and succeeded in bringing about a peace. In August the Khan signed a treaty, the principal provision of which is the security of the Bolan Pass. The Sirdar Alladina Kurd is intrusted with guarding the pass and keeping it open. For this he receives from the Indian Government 1,000 rupees per month. The Khan is to receive a certain sum for every camel that crosses the pass, while the tribes living in the pass are also to receive a certain These dues are to be collected by a person to be appointed by the Indian Government. Emil Schlagintweit speaks as follows of the results of Major Sandeman's mission (Augsburg Gazette, No. 284): "After a stay of five months at the most important point of the Bolan Pass, the English expedition, consisting of five companies of infantry, 350 cavalry, and two mountain-cannon, returned from Kelat, whither it had been sent by the Indian Government, under the command of Major Sandeman, in order to give the necessary force to the propositions of this officer. Without firing a shot Sandeman succeeded in reconciling the different tribes which had been at war with each other for several years, and to bring them back under the sovereignty of the Khan of Kelat. This military promenade forms a turning-point in the British policy. For years the officers on the border had recommended this step, but it had been considered impossible for armed men to cross the border without being attacked, and being involved in a new war with tribes of Beloochistan and Afghanistan, which could only end with the further extension of British rule over an unfertile country, with a population decidedly reduced in wealth and intellectual qualities. Instead of these consequences ensuing, the troops were welcomed everywhere as peace-makers. Without any great exertion England has gained considerable renown among these border tribes."

A second expedition set out in October for Kelat from Simla, the residence of the Viceroy, bearing dispatches for the Khan. The object of this mission was to prepare the Khan for the visit of the Viceroy, who expected to make a trip through Sinde, and wished to have a meeting with the Khan.

BERTRAND, FÉLIX, a Senator of France, born in 1808; died May 27, 1876. After holding different offices in the tribunals of SaintFlour, and Ambert, and in the courts of appeal of Riom, Grenoble, and Bastia, he succeeded, in 1858, his uncle, as president of the Tribunal of Saint-Flour, his native town. He resigned this position a short time before the senatorial elections of 1876, in order to be eligible as senator, and was elected conjointly with M. Parieu from the department of Cantal. He called himself a liberal conservative.

BLAIR, FRANCIS PRESTON, an American journalist, born at Abingdon, Washington County, Va., April 12, 1791; died at Silver Springs, Md, October 18, 1876. He was educated at Transylvania University, Kentucky, and studied law, but never entered upon the practice. He early took part in politics, and in 1824 supported Henry Clay for the presidency, but dissented from his views, especially in relation to the United States Bank. When in 1829 the nullification movement was developed in South Carolina, Mr. Blair published an article against it in a Kentucky newspaper, which attracted the attention of General Jackson, who invited the writer to become the editor of the Globe, a Democratic journal about to be established in Washington. The journal was commenced in November, 1830, and became the organ of the successive Democratic administrations, Mr. Blair retaining the control of it till 1845, when President Polk thought it necessary for the harmony of the party that the organ should be placed in other hands, offering Mr. Blair the position of minister to Spain, which was declined. He then retired to his estate of Silver Springs, Montgomery County, Md. In 1848 he withdrew from the regular Democratic party, and supported Mr. Van Buren for the presidency. After the repeal of the Missouri Compromise he took an active part in the organization of the Republican party. He was the father of Montgomery and of the late General Francis P. Blair, Jr.

BOSIO, ASTYANAX SCEVOLA, a French sculptor, born about 1798; died July 5, 1876. He was a son of Jean Bosio, a well-known historical painter, and a pupil of the celebrated sculptor Baron Bosio, his uncle. His first works were exhibited in 1831, and at once gained for him considerable celebrity. Among his best-known works are a bust of Admiral Bougainville (1831), a young huntress nursing her wounded dog (1835), a statue of Flora (1840), and a large number of busts and bassreliefs. He obtained a second medal in 1838, and the decoration of the Legion of Honor in 1857.

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From 1845 to 1851 he was Master of the Household to the Queen. Upon retiring from this office he was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London, and was created a K. C. B. and a G. C. B. in 1873.

BOYD, Sir HARLEY HUGH, fifth baronet of Ballycastle, county of Antrim, born November 2, 1853; died in July, 1876, on board the mailsteamer Trenton, off St. Helena. He was the only son of Sir John Augustus Hugh Boyd, Bart., R. N., by his wife Honora Mary, third daughter of the late Charles Biggs Calmady, Esq., of Longdon Hall, Devon. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father, August 7, 1857. Dying unmarried, the title reverted to his uncle, the Rev. Frederick Boyd, M. A., rector of Holwell, Bedfordshire.

BOSWORTH, JOSEPH, an English scholar, born about 1790; died in June, 1876. He was educated at Repton Grammar-School, received the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws at Aberdeen, and the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leyden in 1831. He subsequently studied at Cambridge, where he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1839. He was ordained deacon in 1814, and after holding several livings in England he was British chaplain in Rotterdam and Amsterdam between 1829 and 1841, where he translated the Common PrayerBook into Dutch. In 1857 he was elected a member of Christchurch College, and was soon after appointed Professor of Anglo-Saxon in Oxford. In this position, and by his writings on the Anglo-Saxon language and kindred sub- BRAGG, BRAXTON, an American general in jects, he gained great renown, being consid- the Confederate service, born in Warren ered a high authority on this subject. He County, N. C., about 1815; died in Galveston, wrote: "The Elements of Anglo-Saxon Gram- Texas, September 27, 1876. He graduated at mar" (1823); "A Compendious Grammar of West Point in 1837, was appointed lieutenant the Primitive English or Anglo-Saxon;" "A of artillery, and served mainly in Florida till Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language 1843, during the war with the Seminoles; from (1838); "The Origin of the Danish Language; 1843 to 1845 he was stationed at Fort Moultrie, "Abstract of Scandinavian Literature; ""Ori- in Charleston harbor, and, just before the gin of the English, Germanic, and Scandina- breaking out of the war with Mexico, was vian Languages and Nations;" and "A Com- ordered to Texas. In May, 1846, he was made pendious Anglo-Saxon Dictionary" (1848). captain by brevet for gallant conduct in the He published "King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon defense of Fort Brown, Texas, and in June was Version of the Historian Orosius" (1855), and made captain of artillery. He was present at "The Description of Europe and the Voyages the battle of Monterey, September 21st-23d, of Ohthere and Wulfstan," by the same author, and was brevetted as major for gallant conduct both with English translations. He also pub- there; and in 1847 he was brevetted as lieutenlished "The Gospels in Gothic of 360, and in ant-colonel for gallant conduct in the battle of Anglo-Saxon of 995, in Parallel Columns with Buena Vista. From 1848 to 1855 he was enWycliffe's Version of 1389 and Tyndale's of gaged in frontier service at Jefferson Bar1526" (1865; second edition, 1873). He was a racks, Mo., Fort Gibson, and Washita. In member of the Royal Institute of the Nether- March, 1855, he was appointed major of cavlands, and fellow of numerous foreign literary alry, but declined, and received leave of absence. societies. In January, 1856, he resigned his commission in the army, and retired to his plantation at Thibodeaux, La. In 1859-'61 he was Commissioner of the Board of Public Works of the State of Louisiana. When the civil war broke out he joined the Confederate side, was appointed brigadier-general, and placed in command at Pensacola. In February, 1862, he was made major-general, and ordered to join the Army of the Mississippi. He took part in the battle of Shiloh, April 6th and 7th; was raised to the full rank of general in place of General A. S. Johnston, killed at Shiloh; and after the evacuation of Corinth succeeded General Beauregard in command of the department. In August he left Tennessee at the head of a strong force, and entered Kentucky, but, after the battle of Perryville, October 8th, was forced to retreat, carrying with him a vast amount of supplies and many recruits from Kentucky. He was removed from his command and placed under arrest, but was soon restored, and resumed command of the force opposed to the Federal army under Rosecrans. He was checked by Rosecrans in the protracted contest of Stone River or Murfreesboro, December 26,

BOWLES, Sir GEORGE, a British general, born in 1787; died in May, 1876. He received his commission as ensign in 1804, and served with Lord Cathcart in the north of Germany in 1805-'6. He took part in the capture of Copenhagen in 1807; served in the Peninsula from 1809 to 1814; was present at the passage of the Douro; at the battles of Salamanca, Talavera, and Vittoria; at the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Burgos, and San Sebastian; at the capture of Madrid; at the passages of the Bidassoa, Nivelles, Nive, and Adour, and the investment of Bayonne. He was also present at the battles of Quatre - Bras and Waterloo, and at the capture of Paris. He was created a lieutenant and captain in 1810, major in 1815, lieutenant-colonel in 1821, colonel in 1837, major-general in 1846, lientenant-general in 1854, and general in 1862. He was military secretary to the Duke of Richmond in Canada from 1818 to 1820; was deputy adjutant-general in the West Indies from 1820 to 1825, and was stationed in Canada from 1837 to 1843, having command of Lower Canada during the rebellion of 1838.

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