OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Althaus, Julius

​ALTHAUS, JULIUS (1833–1900), physician, born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on 31 March 1833, was the fourth and youngest son of Friedrich Althaus and Julie Draescke. His father was general superintendent of Lippe-Detmold, a protestant dignity equal to the Anglican rural dean; his mother was a daughter of the last protestant bishop of Magdeburg. He received his classical education at the university of Bonn, and began his medical studies at Göttingen in 1851. He proceeded thence to Heidelberg and graduated M.D. at Berlin in 1855, with a thesis ‘de Pneumothorace.’ He then proceeded to Sicily with Professor Johannes Mueller (1801–1858), and thence to Paris, where he worked under Professor Jean Martin Charcot (1825–1898). Althaus afterwards settled in London, when Robert Bentley Todd [q. v.] gave him opportunities of undertaking the electrical treatment of patients at King’s College Hospital. In 1866 he was mainly instrumental in founding the Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis in Regent’s Park, to which he was attached as physician until his resignation in 1894, when he was appointed to the honorary office of consulting physician. He was admitted a member of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1860. At the time of his death he was a corresponding fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and he had received the insignia of the order of the crown of Italy. He died in London on 11 June 1900, and was buried at Woking. Althaus married, in June 1859, Anna Wilhelmina Pelzer, and had three children—two sons and a daughter, of whom the latter survives him.
Althaus was a man of very varied attainments, with great musical gifts. He was greatly interested in the therapeutic effects of electricity. He published:
* ‘A Treatise on Medical Electricity,’ London, 1859, 8vo; 3rd edit. 1873.
* ‘The Spas of Europe,’ London, 1862, 8vo.
* ‘On Paralysis, Neuralgia, and other Affections of the Nervous System, and their successful Treatment by Galvanism and Faradisation,’ London, 1864, 12mo.
* ‘On Sclerosis of the Spinal Cord,’ London, 1885, 8vo; translated into German, Leipzig, 1884, and into French by J. Morin, with a ​preface by Prof. Charcot, Paris, 1885, 8vo.
* ‘Influenza: its Pathology, Symptoms, Complications, and Sequels,’ 2nd edit. London, 1892, 12mo.
* ‘On Failure of Brain Power: its Nature and Treatment,’ 4th edit. London, 1894, 12mo.
[Dr. Pagel’s Biographisches Lexicon, 1900; obituary notices in the Lancet and British Medical Journal, vol. i. 1900; Times, 13 June 1900; private information.]
D’A. P.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Falcon

Edition of 1802.
​FALCON, a formidable bird of prey, of which there are two species, namely:
1. The Jer-Falcon, Falco Gyrfalco, L. which is but seldom found in Scotland and the Orkneys: next to the eagle, it is the most intrepid and voracious of the feathered tribe, and likewise the most valuable species for the purposes of falconry. The stork, the heron, and the crane, fall easy victims to its bold attacks; and it kills hares, by darting upon them in a direct line.—It is remarkable that in this, as in ail other birds of prey, the females are much larger and stronger than the males, which last are employed in falconry to catch only the smaller birds, such as the crow, the heron, and the kite.
2. The Gentil-falcon, which is less ferocious, and also rarely met with in Britain.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Fan

Edition of 1802.
​FAN, a well know contrivance employed chiefly by females to raise wind; cool the air by agitating it, and defending their complexion.
This kind of toy was introduced into Britain from the East, where it is very generally used for shading the face from the sun, and guarding it against troublesome insects. Although the practice of fanning be sanctioned by fashion, it does not appear to be conducive to health, nor consistent with the operations of Nature; because the evaporation of perspirable matter on the human skin has a greater tendency to cool the body, than the incessant fanning, wiping, and rubbing of the face. Nevertheless, fans may be useful for affording protection against the rays of the sun, for which purpose, however, parasols will be more convenient.
Fan is also an implement of husbandry, employed for winnowing corn.—See Winnow.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Fall

Edition of 1802.
​FALL, or the act of tumbling from an erect posture, or from a higher place, is sometimes attended with serious consequences; especially if it should be neglected in the beginning. Hence the necessity of examining the whole body, whether the fall has been productive of violent bruises, dislocations, or fractures; in which cases surgical aid should be immediately procured. But, if the person fallen, remain motionless, and in a swooning state; or in order to prevent him from fainting, it may be useful to administer a wine-glassful of sweet oil of olives, which will greatly tend to calm and compose the whole body.
After a fall from a precipice, or high place, it will perhaps be necessary to open a vein; but we cannot approve of that superstitious remedy, on this occasion, advised by the late Prof. Bradley; according to whom, the blood issuing ​from the comb of a large cock, and gradually drunk, after every clipping with a pair of scissars, gives so much vigour and strength to the wounded, as to enable him to be dressed.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Falling-sickness

Edition of 1802.
​Falling-sickness. See Epilepsy.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Farcy

Edition of 1802.
​FARCY, a disorder peculiar to horses, but which sometimes also affects oxen, and other cattle.
The farcy is infectious, and spreads among horses, in a manner similar to the distemper. It arises from vitiated blood, and is attended with eruptions of hard pustules, knots, or strings along the veins, and also wth ulcers; which are not easily cured.
This malady is generally occasioned by sudden changes of excessive heat and cold; it may also take place when the animal is galled by rusty spurs, snuffle-bits, &c; or after being bitten by an infected horse.
The method of cure prescribed for this disorder, is first to fire, that is, to perforate the ulcers or parts affected with hot irons; after which two drams of red precipitate finely ground, one ounce of Venice treacle, and as much Diapente powder (see Horse-medicines) as will be sufficient to incorporate those ingredients, are to be made up into a bolus, and given to the animal affected. Two handfuls of rue, four ounces of the roots of madder and sharp dock, together with two ounces of guaiacum, and an equal quantity of sassafras, are then to be boiled in four pints of stale beer, till they are reduced to three; when the infusion is to be strained off, and administered while lukewarm. The bolus and infusion are to be repeated two or three times in the week, during which period the animal should drink only warm water: and in the course of ten days, or a fortnight, he will in general be perfectly restored.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Fashion

* related portals: Fashion.
* sister projects: Wikipedia article, Commons category, quotes, definition, Wikidata item.
Edition of 1802.
​FASHION, in general, signifies the prevailing mode or taste, and is particularly applied to dress. In this respect, it frequently supplies the place of reason; especially when the two principal rules, namely, propriety and conveniency, are neglected.
We cannot enlarge on this article, which, though it frequently undermines the health of blooming youth, and frustrates the fondest hopes of parents, yet is supposed essentially to contribute to the flourishing state of trades and manufactures: hence we doubt, whether the most appropriate censure of that tyrant, whose shrine is revered by all the young, the gay, and the frivolous, would be productive of any good effects. This much, however, we venture to say, that fashion, when trespassing either on the rules of health, propriety, or convenience, ought to be universally exploded; and treated with a similar degree of silent contempt which moral and political innovations generally experience, when they are not supported by a just and solid basis.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Family-Mill

Edition of 1802.
​Family-Mill. See Mill.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Farina

Edition of 1802.
​Farina. See Flour and Pollen.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Family-Diet

Edition of 1802.
​Family-Diet. See Diet, p. 135.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Langevin, Hector Louis

​LANGEVIN, Sir HECTOR LOUIS (1826–1906), Canadian statesman, born at Quebec on 25 August 1826, was son of Lieut.-colonel Jean Langevin, a Quebec merchant, of Anjou stock, who had served as assistant and secretary to Lord Gosfoid, governor-general of Canada, and had been for a time corresponding clerk of crown lands. His mother was Sophie Scholastique, daughter of Major La Force, who had distinguished himself in the defence of Canada in 1812-14. Langevin received his education at the Seminary of Quebec (1836–46) and studied law at Montreal. Entering the office there of (Sir) George Etienne Cartier [q. v.], he identified himself with Cartier's conservative political principles and was very intimately associated with him in public life. He found time for journalism in the early course of his legal career and edited successively at Montreal 'Mélanges Religieux' (from 1847) and the 'Journal of Agriculture.' Langevin ​was called to the bar of Lower Canada in 1850. Settling in Quebec, he became editor in 1857 of the 'Courrier du Canada.' He was elected to the Quebec city council in the same year and was mayor of Quebec from 1858 to 1860. He entered political life in 1857, when he was elected member for Dorchester in the legislative assembly of Canada. He held the seat till 1867. In 1864, when he was made Q.C., he was admitted to the Taché-Macdonald conservative ministry as solicitor-general for Lower Canada. In 1866 he was promoted to be postmaster-general and remained in office till the Confederation Act was passed. Langevin played an active part in the negotiations which led to the formation of the Dominion of Canada. On the passing of the Act of Confederation in 1867, when he was sworn a privy councillor of Canada, he became a member of the Dominion House of Commons, and sat there till 1896. He represented his old constituency of Dorchester until 1874, and Three Rivers from 1878 to 1896. In Sir John Macdonald's first Dominion administration he filled the office of secretary of state (1867-9), and was minister of public works (1869-73). He was postmaster-general on Macdonald's return to power in 1878, and from 1879 to 1891 resumed the ministry of public works. His resignation of that post in 1891 followed charges of corruption against his department. He was exonerated from blame save as to negligence. In 1873 he had succeeded Sir George Etienne Cartier [q. v.] as leader of the French-Canadian conservative party. He owed his political influence to his consistent support of the ultramontane forces in the church. In 1870 Pope Pius IX created him Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory. He was appointed C.B. in 1868 and K.C.M.G. in 1881. He was made LL.D. of Laval University in 1882.
Langevin died in Quebec on 11 June 1906, and was buried in the church of the Hotel Dieu du Precieux Sang.
He married on 10 Jan. 1854 Marie Justine (d. 1882), eldest daughter of Lieut.-colonel Charles H. Tétu of Quebec; of nine children only two daughters survive (1912).
[The Times, 12-13 June 1906; Debrett's Peerage; Rose, Cycl. of Canadian Biography, 1888.]
P. E.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Latey, John

​LATEY, JOHN (1842–1902), journalist, born in Wenlock Road, City Road, London, on 30 Oct. 1842, was only son of John Lash Latey (1808-1891) of Tiverton, Devonshire, contributor from 1842 and editor from 1868 to 1800 of the 'Illustrated London News' by his wife Eliza Bentley, of South Molton, Devonshire, daughter of a coal merchant. John Lash Latey was a trenchant advocate of liberal principles from the time of the Reform Bill of 1832, and an early contributor under the pseudonym of 'Lash' to 'Lloyd's News' (cf. T. Catling's My Life's Pilgrimage, 1911).
Educated at Barnstaple and at the Working Men's College, London, from 1860 to 1864, Latey joined in 1861 the staff of the 'Penny Illustrated Paper,' then newly founded by (Sir) William Ingram of the 'Illustrated London News,' and from that year till 1901 was both art and literary editor. Under his guidance the paper, which was staunchly liberal, filled an important place in popular journalism. Mr. Harry Furniss and Phil May [q. v. Suppl. II] were among his artists. With the latter he contributed in 1878 a series of 'Bird's-eye Views,' and from 1878 to 1889 he wrote a weekly article by 'The Showman,' genially criticising society and affairs.
Under the pseudonym of 'The Silent Member,' Latey was for fifteen years parliamentary reporter to the 'Illustrated London News,' of which he was also for a time dramatic critic, as well as literary editor and editor of the Christmas annual in 1899. With Mayne Reid [q. v.] he was co-editor (1881-2) of 'The Boys' Illustrated News,' the first illustrated newspaper for the young, and from June 1899 to 1902 he was editor of the 'Sketch.' Latey was a founder of the London Press Club and a fellow of the Journalists' Institute. He was a fine chess player, excelled in his youth in running and swimming, and was one of the earliest volunteers as a private in the Working Men's College company of the 19th Middlesex regiment. He died at 11 North Villas, Camden Square, on 26 Sept. 1902 after a long illness, and was buried at Highgate cemetery. He married in August 1872 Constance, daughter of Louis Lachenal, who improved the English concertina; she survived him with three sons and a daughter, who became wife of Mr. W. Heath Robinson, black and white artist. A portrait painted by John Edgar Williams in 1873 is in the widow's possession.
Latey's separately published works included: 1. 'The Showman's Panorama,' by Codlin (i.e. J. Latey) and illustrated by Short (i.e. Wallis Mackay), 1880. 2. 'The River of Life: A London Story,' 1886; new edit. 1894. 3. 'Love Clouds: a Story of Love and Revenge,' 1887; new edit. 1894. ​He also wrote a short history of the Franco-German War (1872) and a 'Life of General Gordon' (1885).
[The Tunes, 27 Sept. 1902; Sketch, Oct. 1902 (with portrait); Penny Illustr. Paper and Illustr. London News, 4 Oct. 1902 (with portraits); Who's Who, 1902; Men and Women of the Time, 1899; information from son, Mr. William Latey.]
W. B. O.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Laurie, James Stuart

​LAURIE, JAMES STUART (1832–1904), inspector of schools, born in Edinburgh in 1829, was younger brother of Simon Somerville Laurie [q. v. Suppl. II]. Educated in the Universities of Edinburgh, Berlin, and Bonn, he became a private tutor in the family of Lord John Russell. Becoming attracted to the study of educational theory and practice, he was chosen in 1854 inspector of schools, and was appointed by the government from time to time to make special educational investigations. In 1863 he resigned as a protest against the revised code of Robert Lowe (Lord Sherbrooke) [q. v.]. He was subsequently special commissioner to the African settlements, assistant commissioner under the royal commission of inquiry into primary education (Ireland), 1870, and director of public instruction in Ceylon. He entered the Inner Temple as a student on 2 Nov. 1867, and after leaving Ceylon was called to the bar on 6 June 1871.
Thenceforth he mainly devoted himself to literary work, which consisted of educational handbooks and science manuals, together with the following: 'Christmas Tales' (1863); 'Religion and Bigotry' (1894); ’The Story of Australasia' (1896); ’Gospel Christianity versus Dogma and Ritual' (1900). He died at Bournemouth on 13 July 1904. He married on 7 Oct. 1875 Emily Serafina, eldest daughter of Frederick G. Mylrea of London.
[The Times, 19 July 1904.]
F. W.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Lafont, Eugène

​LAFONT, EUGÈNE (1837–1908), science teacher in India, born at Mons, Belgium, on 26 March 1837, was eldest son of Pierre Lafont by his wife Marie Soudar. Educated at St. Barbara's College, Ghent, and at the Jesuits' seminary, he was admitted to the order in 1854, and did educational work in Belgium until 1865. He was then sent to Calcutta to inaugurate science teaching at St. Xavier's College, which had been founded by the Jesuit fathers in 1860 for the 'domiciled' European and Eurasian communities. He was rector of the college from 1873 to 1904, when failing health caused his retirement. After leaving Europe he only revisited it twice, in 1878 to recruit after severe illness, and in 1900 to visit the Paris exhibition for scientific purposes.
Indian education on Lafont's arrival in India was almost exclusively literary, and Lafont was the pioneer of scientific teaching in Bengal. He combined a thorough knowledge of experimental physics with great skill as a teacher and lecturer. He equipped St. Xavier's with a fine meteorological and solar observatory, and with a physical laboratory second to none in India. He was one of the founders of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, and for nineteen years gave weekly honorary lectures under its auspices, and was its senior vice-president. A popular and eloquent preacher, he also frequently lectured on Christian evidences, claiming that true science was the handmaid of faith. ​Lafont was a member of the Institutes of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, and was chairman of the Calcutta section of the latter from 1889. Appointed a follow of Calcutta University in 1877, he took an active part in the work of the senate, filling at various times the offices of syndic (thrice), dean of the arts faculty (1904–7), and president of the board of studios in physics (1904–6). At the jubilee celebrations of the university in March 1908 he received the honorary degree of D.Sc. He had been created C.I.E. on 1 Jan. 1880, and was made an officer of the French Academy, while in 1898 the king of the Belgians made him a knight of the order of Leopold. His devotion to science, his constant labour for the welfare of the 'domiciled' white community, his gentleness, and his charm of manner won him general esteem. He died at Darjeeling on 10 May 1908, and was buried there.
[Journ. Inst. of Elect. Eng. vol. xxxxi. no. 192, 1908; The Times, 11 May 1908; Englishman (Calcutta), weekly edit., 14 and 21 May 1908.]
F. H. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Laidlaw, Anna Robena

​LAIDLAW, ANNA ROBENA, afterwards Mrs. Thomson (1819–1901), pianist, daughter of Alexander Laidlaw, a merchant, by his wife Ann Keddy, was born at Bretton, Yorkshire, on 30 April 1819. Her family, who were intimate with Sir Walter Scott, claimed connection with the Laidlaws of Chapelhope and Glenrath; Scott's Willie Laidlaw and James Hogg's wife, Margaret Laidlaw, were kinsfolk (cf. Patterson's Schumann, 1903). In 1827 Robena Laidlaw went to Edinburgh, where she studied music with Robert Müller. Her family removed to Königsberg in 1830, and there she continued her musical studios under Georg Tag, subsequently taking lessons from Henri Herz, in London, in 1834. In that year she played at William IV's court and at Paganini's farewell concert. Returning to Germany, she gave pianoforte recitals in Berlin with much applause, and visited Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Dresden, and Vienna. She made the acquaintance of Schumann, who dedicated to her his 'Fantasiestücke,' Op. 12, and wrote of her playing at the Gewandhaus Hall, Leipzig, in July 1837, as 'thoroughly good and individual.' 'This artiste,' he added, 'in whose culture are united English solidity and natural amiability, mil remain a treasured memory to all who have made her closer acquaintance' (Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, 11 July 1837). Several letters were addressed to her by Schumann, one of which is given in facsimile in Dr. Patterson's biography of the oomposer (pp. 106, 107). At Schumann's suggestion she transposed, as being more 'Musical,' the original order of her Christian names, from Robena Anna to Anna Robena. She was appointed pianist to the Queen of Hanover, and remained in Germany until 1840, when she settled in London. After her marriage to George Thomson in 1852 she retired from public life. She died in London on 29 May 1901, and was buried at Woking after cremation. She had four daughters.
[Mendel's Musikalisches Conversationa-Lexikon, 1875; Dr. Annio W. Patterson's Schumann, 1903; Zeitschrift Int. Mus. Ges. iii. 188 ff.; Rellstab's Life of Ludwig Berger, 1846; Grove's Dict. of Music, 1906, ii. 622; information from her daughter, Miss Robena Thomson.]
J. C. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Laidlaw, John

​LAIDLAW, JOHN (1832–1906), presbyterian divine and theologian, born in Edinburgh on 7 April 1832, was only child of Walter Laidlaw by his wife Margaret Brydon. His ancestors for generations were sheep farmers. He studied at the Normal School of Edinburgh, with a view to the teaching profession, but ultimately decided to prepare for the ministry. At Edinburgh University, where he matriculated in October 1851, he distinguished himself in classics, mathematics, and philosophy, winning four gold medals, and carried off (1853) Sir William Hamilton's [q. v.] prize in philosophy and the Bulwer-Lytton [q. v.] prize for an essay on the relations of mind and matter. In 1854 he was made M.A. honoris causa.
After spending three sessions in the divinity hall of the Reformed Prosbyterian church, Laidlaw in 1856 joined the Free church of Scotland and studied for two sessions (1856-8) at New College, Edinburgh. During the summer of 1858 he attended classes at Heidelberg and other German universities, and in the following year began his ministry at Bannockburn. On 6 August 1863 he was inducted to the Free West church, Perth, where the membership greatly increased under his charge. A handsome church was built, and he made his mark as an evangelical preacher. In 1868 he declined an invitation to become colleague to Dr. Robert Smith Candlish [q. v.]. From 1872 to 1881 he was minister of the Free West church, Aberdeen. On 25 May 1881 he was appointed to the chair of systematic theology in New College, Edinburgh; he held the post until 1904.
In 1878 Laidlaw delivered the Cunningham lectures at New College, his subject being 'The Biblical Doctrine of Man.' The lectures were published in 1879 (Edinburgh; new edit, entirely recast, 1895; reprint, 1905). His most popular book, 'The Miracles of Our Lord,' in which scholarship was combined with orthodoxy (1890; 4th edit. 1902), also originated in a course of lectures. He further published 'Foundation Truths of Scripture as to Sin and Salvation' (Edinburgh, 1897, Bible Class Handbooks). His 'Studies in the Parables, and other Sermons' appeared posthumously in 1907. An ardent advocate of the reunion of Scottish presbyterianism, it w£is largely owing to Laidlaw's influence that the union of the Reformed Presbyterian church with the Free church of Scotland was brought about in 1876. Nine years later, in 1885, he was active in inducing representatives of the three large presbyterian churches to debate the possibihty of union. The conference, though abortive at the time, bore fruit later.
In 1880 Laidlaw became hon. D.D. of Edinburgh University. He died after some years of ill-health in Edinburgh on 21 Sept. 1906, and was buried in the Grange cemetery, Edinburgh.
In December 1869 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Hamilton, who survived him with one daughter.
[Memoir by H. R. Mackintosh, D.D., prefixed to Laidlaw's posthumously published 'Studies in the Parables, and other Sermons' (1907); Scotsman, 22 Sept. 1906; private information.]
W. F. G.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Strangury

Edition of 1802.
​Strangury. See Urine.