OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Scott, John (fl.1530)

​SCOTT or SCOT, JOHN (fl. 1530), printer in London, may, as Herbert suggests, have been an apprentice of Wynkyn de ​Worde. His first book, ‘The Body of Policie,’ was issued in May 1521, when he was living ‘in St. Pulker's parisshe without Newgate.’ It is clear that about this time, besides printing books in his own name, he printed some for Wynkyn de Worde. In 1528 he was printing in St. Paul's Churchyard, and eight books are known bearing this address, though only two are dated. In 1537 he had removed to ‘Fauster’ Lane in St. Leonard's parish, where he printed six books, among them being the ballad of the battle of Agincourt and the still more celebrated ballad of the ‘Nutbrowne Maid.’ He also was for a time living ‘at George Alley gate’ in St. Botolph's parish, but the only book known printed at at this place is undated. At the present time twenty-five books are known to have been issued by this printer, all of them being of extreme rarity. His disappearance in 1537 and the appearance of another printer of the same name at Edinburgh in 1539 have led to their being often mistaken for the same man, but the characteristics of their work show that the two printers are distinct [see Scott or Scot, John, fl. 1550)].
E. G. D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Scott, John (fl.1550)

​SCOTT or SCOT, JOHN (fl. 1550), printer in Scotland, has been considered by many writers as identical with the John Scott or Scot (fl. 1530) [q. v.] who printed in London. Though one or two coincidences lend a certain appearance of probability to this theory, there is now little doubt that the two men are distinct. The Scottish printer appeared in Edinburgh in 1539, when he obtained a grant of some rooms in the Cowgate, but for some time after we hear nothing of him as a printer. In 1547 he was in Dundee, for letters were issued in that year to John Scrymgeour, constable of Dundee, ordering his arrest, though for what offence is not stated. In 1552 Scot's first dated book was issued, the catechism of Archbishop Hamilton. This was printed at St. Andrews, doubtless in order that the work might be done under the personal superintendence of the archbishop. For a few years Scot worked on steadily at St. Andrews and Edinburgh; but in 1562, while printing the ‘Last Blast of the Trumpet’ by Ninian Winzet [q. v.], the Roman catholic schoolmaster of Linlithgow, a raid was made upon his office by the magistrates of Edinburgh, the book seized, and the printer dragged off to prison. His printing materials seem also to have been impounded and given two years afterwards to Thomas Bassandyne, another printer. By some means they seem to have found their way again into Scot's hands, for in 1568 he printed an edition of the works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, at the expense of Henry Charteris, an Edinburgh merchant. This was followed by another edition of the same work in 1571, the last dated book printed by Scot. Altogether twelve books are known by this printer, but there is no doubt that he produced many more which have disappeared. Their ephemeral nature and strong controversial tendency favoured their destruction.
E. G. D.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Aristolochia

Edition of 1802.
​Aristolochia. See Birthwort.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Areca

Edition of 1802.
​Areca. See Faselnut, Catechu, and Cabbage-Palm.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Arenaria

Edition of 1802.
​Arenaria. See Sandwort.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Artemisia absinthium

Edition of 1802.
​Artemisia absinthium, L. See Mugwort.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Arnica montana

Edition of 1802.
​Arnica montana, L.—See German Leopard's Bane.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Arctium

Edition of 1802.
​Arctium. See Burdock.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Argument

Edition of 1802.
​ARGUMENT, when applied to ​logic, signifies an inference drawn from premises, the truth of which is either indisputable, or highly probable. In matters of literature, it denotes the abridgement, or heads, of a book, history, chapter, &c. Considered in the former sense, in which it solely relates to reason, and to the investigation of truth, it is, in its principles, of a simple and homogeneous nature; and requires no particular explanation. For, pleasure being the chief end of poetry, and persuasion that of eloquence, the real constitution of things is often perverted, or disguised, and compelled to adapt itself to the imagination and the passions; but truth, being the ultimate object of argument, stands in need of no dazzling colours, or the figurative language of rhetoric.
It is not, however, unusual (both in private life and in the senate) to draw from an argument, a conclusion very different from what it really implies. Cunning and bold disputants frequently avail themselves of ambiguous expressions, which easily engender a confusion or ideas; and thus the fallacy of their incongruous reasoning but too often escapes detection, as it remains involved in sophistical perplexity.—For a farther consideration of this interesting subject, we refer our readers to the article of Logic, where it will be more applicable than under the present.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Argemone

Edition of 1802.
​Argemone. See Prickly Poppy.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vint, William

​VINT, WILLIAM (1768–1834), congregational divine, was born at High Thrunton, near Whittingham, Northumberland, on 1 Nov. 1768. He was educated at Alnmouth and at the grammar school of Warrenford. About the age of fifteen he was placed under the tuition of Samuel Walker, minister at Northowram, with whom he studied theology. He soon obtained renown as a preacher, and on 25 Dec. 1790 was appointed minister at Idle, near Leeds in Yorkshire.
In 1795 the academy at Northowram was dissolved, and several of the students were temporarily placed with Vint to receive instruction in theology. It was felt, however, that more permanent arrangements should be made, and, chiefly through the exertions of Edward Hanson of London, a regular academy was founded at Idle in 1800. Its commencement was small, and Vint, who was sole tutor, had at first only four pupils. He was, however, a man of some learning, and the establishment prospered under his care. On 21 June 1826 it received the name of Airedale Independent College. Vint continued to direct it until his last illness. On 5 March 1834 the college was removed to Undercliffe, near Bradford, and on 20 June 1877 it was finally transferred to a new building in Bradford, near Manningham Park. On 17 Feb. 1888, by order of the charity commissioners, it was amalgamated with Rotherham College, and the two were established in the buildings of Airedale College under the name of the Yorkshire United College.
Besides acting as tutor to Airedale College, Vint continued minister of Idle till his death there on 13 March 1834. He was buried in the graveyard of the chapel. He married Sarah Sharp of Idle, who died on 5 Nov. 1855. By her he left six sons and two daughters. There is a portrait of Vint at the Yorkshire United College. Two engravings also exist: one by Richardson for the ‘Evangelical Magazine,’ 1819; the other by Henry Meyer.
A printing press was established at Idle in 1824 under the management of his brother, John Vint, at which William's publications, to the number of seventeen, were printed. Besides sermons, he was the author of: 1. ‘Strictures on Mr. Morison's Discourse on the Millennium,’ 1829, 8vo. 2. ‘An Enquiry into the Origin of Opinions relative to an Expected Millennium,’ 1830, 8vo. He edited: 3. ‘Life and Works of Oliver Heywood,’ 1827–5, 5 vols. 8vo. 4. ‘Illustrations of Prophecy by Joseph Lomas Towers,’ 1828, 2 vols. 8vo. 5. ‘The Suffering Christian's Companion,’ a selection of discourses, 1830, 12mo. 6. ‘The Active Christian's Companion,’ 1830, 12mo. 7. ‘The Privileged Christian's Companion,’ 1830, 12mo. 8. The elder Jonathan Edwards's ‘Humble Attempt to promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God's People in extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion,’ 1831, 8vo. 9. ‘A Selection of Hymns,’ 3rd edit. 1834.
[Turner's Nonconformity in Idle (with portrait), 1876; Letter by William Curry containing some account of the Rev. William Vint, 1834.]
E. I. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Violet, Pierre

Pierre-Noël Violet in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
​VIOLET, PIERRE (1749–1819), miniature-painter, born in France in 1749, left Paris during the French revolution after etching portraits of some of the members of the National Assembly in 1789. In that or the following year he settled in London, and in 1790 he exhibited eleven miniatures at the Royal Academy, among them being a portrait of Marie-Antoinette. He continued to exhibit miniatures, and from 1798 ​onwards drawings of domestic and fancy subjects every year till 1819. His portraits of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, 1790, and George, prince of Wales, 1791, his professional card, 1794, and several fancy subjects, were engraved by Bartolozzi. Other portraits engraved from Violet's miniatures are those of Mrs. Piozzi by Bovi, and Gaetano Bartolozzi by Tomkins. A feeble set of etchings of domestic subjects, worked over in stipple by Violet himself, was published by Moltens in 1810. Before he left France he published a treatise on miniature-painting. A supplement, containing the author's portrait, was published at Rome in 1788, and the treatise was translated into German in 1795. Violet died at 1 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London, on 9 Dec. 1819.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Gent. Mag. 1819, ii. 571.]
C. D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Viner, Charles

​VINER, CHARLES (1678–1756), jurist, son of Charles and Mary Viner of Salisbury, was baptised at the church of St. Thomas, Salisbury, on 3 Nov. 1678. He studied for a time at Oxford, where he matriculated from Hart Hall on 19 Feb. 1694–5. He afterwards resided at Aldershot, Hampshire, and had chambers in the Temple (King's Bench Walk), but was not called to the bar. He devoted half a century of toil to the compilation of ‘A General Abridgment of Law and Equity. Alphabetically digested under proper Titles, with Notes and References to the whole,’ Aldershot, 1742–53, 23 vols. fol. A genuine hobby, the ‘Abridgment’ was printed on paper manufactured under Viner's own direction and stamped with a peculiar watermark. Based on the work of his predecessor, Henry Rolle [q. v.], but built up from all other accessible materials, it is a vast and labyrinthine encyclopædia of legal lore ill arranged and worse digested. Valueless as an authority, it was but an indifferent help to research until the publication of an ‘Alphabetical Index’ by Robert Kelham [q. v.], London, 1758, fol. A second edition of the work, including the index, appeared at London in 1791–4, 24 vols. 8vo, and was followed by a supplement by several hands, entitled ‘An Abridgment of the Modern Determinations in the Courts of Law and Equity,’ London, 1799–1806, 6 vols. 8vo.
Viner died at Aldershot on 5 June 1756. By his will, dated 29 Dec. 1755, he left the remainder copies of the ‘Abridgment’ and his residuary real and personal estate (value about 12,000l.) to the university of Oxford upon trusts to which effect was given by the endowment of the Vinerian common-law chair, scholarships, and fellowships. The ​first professor was Sir William Blackstone [q. v.]
[Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1500–1714; Gent. Mag. 1750 p. 528, 1751 p. 527, 1756 p. 314; Georgian Era, ii. 534; Notes and Queries, 2nd ser. ii. 85, 179; Blackstone's Discourse on the Study of the Law, 1758, 8vo; Clarke's Bibliotheca Legum; Bridgman's Legal Bibliography; Marvin's Legal Bibliography; Lincoln's Inn Libr. Cat.; Bodleian Libr. Cat.]
J. M. R.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Viner, William Litton

​VINER, WILLIAM LITTON (1790–1867), organist and composer, was born at Bath on 14 May 1790. He studied under Charles Wesley (1757–1834) [q. v.], the musician, and in 1820 became organist of St. Michael's, Bath. On 2 Dec. 1835, upon the recommendation of Samuel Sebastian Wesley [q. v.], he was appointed organist of St. Mary's Chapelry, Penzance. Viner continued to be organist at St. Mary's till 1859, when he went to America. He died at Westfield, Massachusetts, on 24 July 1867. Viner was a prolific composer of church music, organ music, and songs, and was the author of the hymn-tune ‘Helston’ or ‘Kingston,’ sometimes described as an ancient Cornish melody. He edited ‘One Hundred Psalm and Hymn Tunes in Score’ (London, 1838); ‘A Useful Selection from the most approved Psalms’ (London, 1846); and ‘The Chanter's Companion’ (1857). A long list of his publications is given in Boase and Courtney's ‘Bibliotheca Cornubiensis’ (ii. 826).
[Dict. of Musicians, 1824, ii. 509; information supplied by Rev. W. H. Bolton, vicar of St. Mary's Chapelry, Penzance.]
F. G. E.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vines, Richard (1585-1651)

​VINES, RICHARD (1585–1651), colonist, was born near Bideford, Devonshire, in 1585, and educated for the medical profession. In 1609 he was sent out to Maine to explore the country. Apparently after his return to England he was appointed agent by Sir Ferdinando Gorges [q. v.], and then went back to New England, settling at Winter Harbour near Saco River, Massachusetts, about 1615. He is stated to have been in England in 1629, and this casts doubt on the authenticity of his signature to a deed of 1629 containing a patent of lands for Bideford, Massachusetts, to him and one Oldham (Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, &c., s.v.). He was, however, principal superintendent of Saco before 1635, in which year Gorges appointed him councillor of ‘New Somersetshire.’ Before 1640 he seems to have ceased to be Gorges's agent. He explored the White Mountains in August 1642. In 1643 or 1644 he seems to have been for a short time a prisoner in French hands. He administered the government of the colony in 1643, and in 1644 and 1645 was formally chosen deputy governor by the council. But about this time Rigby set up his claim to Maine as against Gorges, and sent out an agent, Cleave, who entered into a vigorous controversy with Vines. The latter, though he upheld the Gorges claims with some success, eventually in 1645 returned to England, whence he went to Barbados and settled as a planter on two adjoining estates comprising fifty acres, turning his attention to tobacco, cotton, and sugar; he also practised his profession with much success. Gorges wrote in high terms of Vines's care and diligence as his agent. Vines, who was a sturdy royalist, died in Barbados on 19 April 1651.
Vines was married and left a daughter, who married one Ellacot.
[Savage's Genealogical Dict. of the First Settlers of New England; Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography; Collections of Massachusetts Hist. Soc. indices s.v., but especially IV. vii. 329–30, 337–49, for some letters; two of Vines's letters from Barbados, cited by Mr. Daniell Davies in his Cavaliers and Roundheads in Barbados, p. 72.]
C. A. H.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lymph

Edition of 1802.
​LYMPH, a tasteless transparent liquid, that is absorbed from the surface; the cellular texture; as well as the viscera and their cavities throughout the animal body: it is conveyed into the thoracic duct, or canal of the breast, by means of certain vessels, thence called lymphatics, or lympheducts.—The use of this organization is to return to the thoracic duct the superfluous nourishing fluid; the vapours of vascular cavities, and likewise all substances that are applied to the skin; from which circumstance some physiologists have conjectured the lymph to be the immediate matter of nutrition.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lovage

Edition of 1802.
​LOVAGE, or Ligusticum, L. a genus of plants, consisting of thirteen species, two of which are natives of Britain. The principal of these, is the Scoticum, Scottish Lovage, or Sea-parsley, growing on rocks and cliffs near the sea-coast in Scotland, and the Western Islands; flowering in the month of July. It is relished by horses, sheep, and goats, but refused by cows. This species is greatly valued in the Isle of Sky, where it is eaten either as salad, or boiled as greens: its roots are reputed to be excellent carminatives, and an inftision of the leaves affords a good physic for calves.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Love

Edition of 1802.
​LOVE, generally speaking, denotes all those pleasing sensations which are excited by certain objects, or incidents. It, however, more frequently expresses that affection which consists of personal desire, esteem, and benevolence; which forms a bond of attachment, and cements the union of individuals of different sexes; so that each feels, in the society of the other, a kind of happiness which no other object can impart.
​The effects of this passion, on the efforts and disposition of man, are often surprizing: it operates in a manner equally beneficial on the body, and has sometimes remedied the most inveterate complaints, which had defeated the skill of physicians, and resisted the powers of medicine.
Though the most impetuous of all the passions, its progress is generally slow; and, if due precautions were taken, it would seldom be attended with unfavourable consequences.—Reason, however, often fails to subdue the first attacks of love, so that it ceases to excite pleasure, and not unfrequently reduces its victim to the lowest state of despondency. Hence it is advisable to remove every object, that tends to kindle the passion; and to introduce the patient into cheerful society. With the same intention, the strictest temperance should be observed; the mind and body alternately employed, by study or exercise; while the diet ought to be low, and less nourishing than usual. But the most efficacious remedy, in the plurality of instances, would be the union of the two parties; and, if parents were more solicitous to consult the real inclination and interest of their children, we are persuaded, that not only the number of wretched couples might be considerably diminished, but the public streets of populous cities would not be infested with those hapless females, who are at present doomed to perdition:—they afford, indeed, too many incontestable proofs of the imperfect state of society.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Love-apple

Edition of 1802.
​LOVE-APPLE, or Solanum Lycopersicum L. a native of the East and West Indies, whence it has been intrcduced into our gardens. It is propagated from seeds, which are sown in the month of March, in a hot-bed of a moderate temperature. When the plants have attained the height of about two inches, they are transplanted into another bed of a similar warmth, where they are set four inches asunder. In this state, they require constant moisture till the month of May, at which time they are finally removed into pots; frequently watered, and shaded till August, when their red fruit becomes perfectly ripe.—The love-apple is greatly esteemed at the table of the epicure: it is either used in soups or broths, to which it imparts an agreeable acid taste; or it is boiled and served up as a garnish to dishes of animal food.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lords-and-Ladies

Edition of 1802.
​Lords-and-Ladies. See Wake-robin.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lottery

Edition of 1802.
​LOTTERY, a kind of public game at hazard, which, in this country, is managed by commissioners appointed by parliament. It consists of a certain number of tickets, that are drawn out of two different wheels, one of which contains a limited proportion of blanks and prizes; and the other, the corresponding tickets.
Lotteries were originally instituted with a view to raise money for the service of the State; but this method appears to have been contrived by persons, who possessed no practical knowledge of mankind; as it encourages a spirit of gambling, that cannot be too severely censured. One of the most cogent arguments to discourage this practice, appears to be the disproportion between the distant gain, and the probable loss of the numerous adventurers: nay, it is an indisputable fact, that if a club of infatuated persons (indeed, there are too many of this description) were to purchase the tickets of the whole lottery, they would necessarily lose about fifty per cent. of their money; and in a similar situation is the single share-holder, who, besides, incurs the risk of losing the whole.
It is to be regretted, that the consequences of this evil are not confined to the more opulent class of society; but extend even to those industrious members, whose utmost exertions are frequently inadequate to furnish their families with bread. Yet such is their infatuation, that nearly the whole of their weekly earnings is squandered on insurances: and it is a melancholy proof of the folly of mankind, that of the bread usually consumed, one-third only is eaten during the eventful period of drawing the lottery. Hence we think it our duty to state abuses of such magnitude; as they prey on the vitals of the community: and we trust that the wisdom of the legislature will shortly be induced to reform, or, if possible, to abolish the whole department of the lottery, and to adopt a less hazardous, and more dignified plan of finance.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lopping

Edition of 1802.
​Lopping. See Pruning.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Luxury

Edition of 1802.
​LUXURY denotes voluptuousness, or an extravagant indulgence in whatever pleases the senses, such as the articles of food, dress, and equipage.
The utility or detriment of luxury to a State, is a subject on which great difference of opinion prevails among political writers. Nor is it easily decided, whether this predominant feature in mankind may with more propriety be called the offspring of vice or folly; but luxury doubtless increases in proportion to the influx of trade; and, though it may by prescription be justifiable at court, in public officers, or on particular occasions, yet in private individuals it will ever remain an object of just reproach. For, by increasing the expences of a family, it presents an insuperable bar to matrimonial establishments, and thus contributes to the depopulation of a country. Farther, it impairs the health and ruins the constitution of its votaries; and, as the opulent leave their rural seats, in order to reside in cities, such change is attended with many bad consequences to themselves, as well as to their numerous domestics. Thus, the country is in a manner deserted; and thence we may account for the long train of evils arising from the indolence and libertinism of a city-life.
One of the most pernicious consequences resulting from the rapid progress of luxury, is the high price of provisions, which is, in a great measure, occasioned by the keeping of useless servants, as well as of unnecessary horses: these partly consume, and partly waste, such a portion of food as might be more beneficially employed in the ​support of the industrious poor.—Lastly, though luxury be the attendant on wealth; though it encourage arts, manufactures, agriculture, and commerce; and, when its prevalence does not corrupt the morals of a people, becomes a national benefit, by diffusing riches among all ranks, and enabling the poor to to pay the most exorbitant prices of provisions; yet we presume to say, that the greatest benefit would result from the observance of sumptuary laws, which should limit the expences of individuals from exceeding a certain point; because that money, which is at present spent in the purchase of articles not strictly necessary to domestic life, might thus be diverted into its proper channel, and be more generally circulated throughout the country.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lotion

Edition of 1802.
​Lotion. See Washing; and Cosmetics.
# Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Lyme-grass

Edition of 1802.
​Lyme-grass. See Lime-grass.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1927 supplement/Gorell, first Baron

​GORELL, first Baron (1848–1913), judge. [See Barnes, John Gorell.]