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# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Planché, James Robinson

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​PLANCHÉ, JAMES ROBINSON (1796–1880), English dramatist and antiquary, was born in London on the 27th of February 1796, the son of a watchmaker of Huguenot descent. In 1810 he was articled to a bookseller. In 1818 his first dramatic piece, a burlesque entitled Amoroso, King of Little Britain, was produced at Drury Lane theatre. From this time onwards he made play-writing his principal work. In 1820–1821 he wrote ten pieces for the Adelphi theatre. In 1823 he designed the dresses for Charles Kemble's revival of King John at Covent Garden, and superintended its production. This was the first time that a historical drama had been "dressed" in the costume of the period. In 1828 he began writing regularly for Covent Garden theatre and in 1830 was manager of the Adelphi. On Mme Vestris taking the Olympic theatre in 1831, Planché entered into an agreement with her to write a series of plays. The first of these, Olympic Revels, a burlesque, was given on the opening night of the theatre, the performance being given in correct classical costume. In 1843 his Fair One with the Golden Locks was produced by Webster at the Haymarket. In 1847 Mme Vestris became manageress at the Lyceum theatre, and Planché was engaged as her leading author and designer, his principal success being the Island of Jewels (1849). Subsequently he wrote for a number of other managements, his last dramatic piece being King Christmas (1871), but he also wrote for Babil and Bijou at Covent Garden (1872). In addition to his dramatic work Planché enjoyed a considerable reputation as an antiquary and heraldic student. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and aided in the foundation of the British Archaeological Association in 1843. In 1834 he published The History of British Costumes. In 1854 he was appointed Rouge Croix pursuivant of arms at the Heralds' College, and in 1866 Somerset herald. In 1869, at the request of the War Office, he arranged the collection of armour at the Tower of London in chronological order. He died at Chelsea on the 30th of May 1880.
Planché's Recollections and Reflections were published in 1872.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Vanpea-Volters, (Henrietta)

VANPEA-VOLTERS (HENRIETTA), her Father's scholar.
Was born at Amsterdam, and was eminent as a miniature painter. She died 1741.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Varotari, (Clara)

VAROTARI (CLARA),
Sister of a painter of that name, painted to perfection.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Valliere, (Louisa, Duchess de la)

VALLIERE (LOUISA, DUCHESS DE LA), a beautiful and innocent young Woman, in the service of Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans.
Louis XIV. was in love with the latter; but, to hide it from the eyes of the duke, pretended to attach himself to La Valliere, till his passion became real. She is said to have given Fontaine the idea of "grace still more beautiful than beauty." She was not intriguing in the least; she seemed to love the monarch for himself. When he left her for Madame de Montespan, she refused lovers, and offers of marriage, with disdain. She had two children, by Lewis, whom she tenderly loved; but on being told of the death of one, "It is not that, but his birth," said she, "which ought to afflict me." Wishing to expiate her faults, she became a Carmelite, in 1675. She paraphrased the Psalm in which David laments his sins; and wrote many religious pieces; amongst others, Reflections on the Mercy of God.
F. C. &c.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Versit, (Mademoiselle)

VERSIT (MLLE.), born at Antwerp, 1680,
Knew Latin, spoke several languages, and painted portraits and history. The most celebrated writers have agreed in praising the freshness of her colouring, and the purity of her designs. She went to London, and died there.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Van Oesterwick, (Maria)

VAN-OESTERWICK (MARIA),
Is justly placed among the best artists of Holland. She painted only fruit and flowers; but she painted in the highest perfection: she died 1673.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Valentinois, (Charlotte d'Albert, Duchess de)

VALENTINOIS (CHARLOTTE D'ALBERT, DUCHESS DE), Sister of John d'Albret, King of Navarre, and Wife of Cæsar Borgia,
Whose misfortunes she shared, without reproaching ​him with his vices. She was pious, sensible and witty, and had much genius for poetry. Died 1514.
L'Advocat.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Van Veen, (Gertrude and Cornelia)

VAN-VEEN (GERTRUDE and CORNELIA),
Daughters of a good painter of that name, who lived at Brussels, both excelled in painting.
# A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Vareza, (Julia)

VAREZA (JULIA), a Nun,
Was admired for her musical abilities and excellent singing. She likewise wrote good poetry.
Madame Genlis.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Bickerstaff, Isaac

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​Bickerstaff, Isaac, was born in Ireland about the year 1735. He was one of the pages of Lord Chesterfield when Lord-Lieutenant. He afterwards became an officer in the marines, in which service he continued until forced to quit under very discreditable circumstances. He is known as the author of Love in a Village, Maid of the Mill, and about twenty other light comedies and musical pieces, produced under Garrick's management—of which some yet retain possession of the stage. Charles Dibdin composed the music to many of these pieces. His last was produced in 1787. Bickerstaff died abroad in old age and reduced circumstances. His "pieces present a combination of excellencies seldom found in conjunction."$^{(1)}$$^{(45)}$
* ↑ Anthologia Hibernica. 4 vols. Dublin, 1793–'4.
* ↑ Authors, Dictionary of British and American: S. Austin Allibone. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1869–'71.
* ↑ Dublin University Magazine. Dublin, 1833–'77.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Betagh, Rev. Dr.

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​Betagh, Rev. Dr., a distinguished Catholic clergyman, was born about 1737. After being educated abroad, and residing both at Paris and Metz as a professor for many years, he returned to Ireland and was appointed parish priest of SS. Michael and John's, Dublin, and Vicar-General of the diocese. He made many and great efforts for the good of his people, establishing a free evening school for about 330 boys, and otherwise advancing education. He died, greatly beloved, 16th February 1811, aged 74; and his remains were followed to their resting place in St. Michan's churchyard by a multitude of mourners.$^{(1811)}$
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Bianconi, Charles

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​Bianconi, Charles, was born 26th September 1785, at Tregolo, in the Duchy of Milan, Italy, where his father is said to have owned a small silk factory. In 1802 he came to Ireland as apprentice to an Italian print-seller, who was in business in Temple-bar, Dublin. In this capacity Bianconi travelled on foot throughout Ireland, peddling his master's stock. In 1806, when out of his time, he found himself in possession of about £50, and established himself as a print-seller, first at Tipperary, then in Waterford, and afterwards in Clonmel. In the prosecution of his business he was led to reflect upon the then difficulties of travelling throughout Ireland, and his practical mind saw an opening for a profitable speculation—the establishment of cars between the principal towns. He commenced in 1815, by a one-horse vehicle between Clonmel and Cahir. This proved remunerative; and the termination of the war enabling him to purchase horses cheaply, it was not many years before he had one hundred cars of various sizes traversing Ireland, performing daily 3,800 miles, at an average charge of 1¼d. per mile for each passenger. When the railway system threw him off the main lines, his enterprise and intelligence opened up new fields; and by 1858 he had even extended his operations. In August 1831, he obtained letters of naturalization in Ireland, filled the office of Mayor of Clonmel, and was appointed a Deputy-Lieutenant. While amassing a large fortune, his "Bianconi cars" conferred inestimable advantages upon Ireland. He died 22nd September 1875, having all but completed his 90th year. He has borne the following testimony to the character of the Irish people: "My conveyances, many of them carrying very important mails, have been travelling during all hours of the day and night, often in lonely and unfrequented places; and during the long period of forty years that my establishment is now in existence, the slightest injury has never been done by the people to my property, or that entrusted to my care."
Addendum
​Bianconi, Charles, (page 22).—Mrs. Morgan John O'Connell's interesting life of her father had not appeared when this notice was written. Mr. Bianconi was born 24th September 1786; so that at the time of his death in 1875, he had all but completed his 89th year. He died and was buried on his estate of Longford, near Thurles.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Binns, John

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​Binns, John, a distinguished journalist, was born in Dublin, 22nd December 1772. He received a good education, became a United-Irishman, and suffered two years' imprisonment. Soon after his release, in 1801, he emigrated, with his brother Benjamin, to Baltimore. In March 1802, he commenced at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, the Republican Army, which gave him great influence with the Democratic party. From 1807 to 1829 he conducted, at Philadelphia, the Democratic Press—the leading paper in the state, until 1824, when it opposed the election of Jackson. Besides other works, he published in 1854 an autobiography. He died at Philadelphia, 16th June 1860, aged 87.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Bermingham, Sir John

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​Bermingham, Sir John, Earl of Louth. He inherited large estates from his ancestors, who came over with Strongbow. In 1318 he was appointed general of the Anglo-Irish forces raised to check the advance of Edward Bruce. The memorable battle that ensued, and which resulted in the death of Bruce at the hands of John de Maupas, an Anglo-Irish knight, and the overthrow of his army, was fought at Faughart, near Dundalk, 14th October 1318. Sir John sent Bruce's head to Edward II., and was for his services created Earl of Louth, and granted estates at Ardee. Next year we find him marching into Connaught against the O'Conors and MacKellys. In 1321 he was appointed Lord-Justice, and in 1322 conducted a force of 300 men-at-arms, 1,000 hobellars, and 6,000 foot into England, to aid the King against the Scots. In 1325 he founded a Franciscan friary at Monasteroris (so called from his Irish name, MacFeorais.) On 10th June 1329 he fell, with 200 of his kindred and retainers, at Braganstown, County of Louth, in a feud with the Gernons, Verdons, and others of the ancient Anglo-Irish families of Louth. He was incomparably the ablest Anglo-Irish leader of his day.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Beresford, William Carr, Viscount Beresford

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​Beresford, William Carr, Viscount Beresford, a distinguished general, son of the Marquis of Waterford, was born in Ireland, 2nd October 1768. He entered the army in 1785, and served with distinction in every quarter of the world — America, Corsica, India, Egypt, the Cape, ​and Buenos Ayres. He was Governor of Madeira in 1808, and was drafted thence to the Peninsula, where he played an important part under Sir John Moore, and in Wellington's campaigns. He commanded at Albuera against Soult, and bore his part at Badajos, at Salamanca (where he was severely wounded), at Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Neve, and Orthez. He led the division that took possession of Bordeaux, and fought at the battle of Toulouse. He was raised to the peerage as baron in 1814, a pension was settled on him, and he received the highest military decorations, was created by the Spaniards Duke of Elvas, and by the Portuguese Conde di Francoso. He was made a viscount in 1823. Under the Duke of Wellington's administration, in 1828, Viscount Beresford was appointed Master of the Ordnance. He died at his seat, Bedgebury Park, Kent, 8th January 1854, aged 85, and was interred at Goudhurst.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Berkenshaw, John

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​Berkenshaw, John, an Irish musician; he resided in Dublin, in the family of the Earl of Kildare, until the War of 1641-'52 drove him to England. He lived in London after the Restoration, published works on the study of music, taught the violin, and gave singing lessons. "Burney represents him as a charlatan, who was far indeed from possessing the musical qualifications he laid claim to." The dates of his birth and decease are unknown. Under date 24th February 1661-'2, Pepys mentions him: "Long with Mr. Berkenshaw in the morning at my musique practice, finishing my song of 'Gaze not on Swans,' in two parts, which pleases me well; and did give him £5 for this month or five weeks, that he hath taught me; which is a great deal of money, and troubled me to part with it."
* ↑ Musiciens, Biographie Universelle des: F. J. Fetis. 8 vols. Paris, 1860–'5.
* ↑ Pepys' Diary and Correspondence; with Life and Notes by Richard, Lord Braybrooke. 5 vols. London, 1848–'9.
* ↑ Biographical Dictionary, Imperial: Edited by John F. Waller. 3 vols. London, N. D.
# A Compendium of Irish Biography/Betham, Sir William

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​Betham, Sir William, an antiquarian and genealogist, born at Stradbrook in Suffolk, 22nd May 1779. He began life as a printer, and came to Ireland in 1805, where he distinguished himself in genealogy, a taste derived from his father; he was knighted in 1812, and next year succeeded Sir Chichester Fortescue as Ulster King at Arms. He devoted himself with indefatigable industry to his favourite study, collecting an immense mass of materials, and partially reducing to order, and making available, the collections in the Birmingham Tower and the Remembrancer's Office. He published several works of a somewhat speculative character connected with the study of Irish antiquities, and contributed largely to the leading literary societies of which he was a member. His greatest MS. work was his index to the names of all persons mentioned in the wills at the Prerogative Office in Dublin. It consists of forty large folio volumes, begun in 1807, and not completed before 1828, during a great part of which period he devoted to it from eight to ten hours a-day. His "philological deductions were not generally deemed satisfactory; and it may be regretted that these speculative studies withdrew his attention from those more tangible questions affecting our political and constitutional history, of which he had made himself a master, and for the ​illustration of which he had formed such ample collectious." The acceptance of Mr. Petrie's work on the Round Towers by the Royal Irish Academy did not meet with his approval, and was said to be the cause of his withdrawal for many years from that institution. He died at Stradbrook, Blackrock, County of Dublin, 26th October 1853, aged 74.
* ↑ Gentleman's Magazine. London, 1731–1868
* ↑ Petrie, George, Life: William Stokes, M.D. London, 1868.
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torquemada, Juan de

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​TORQUEMADA, JUAN DE (1388–1468), or rather Johannes de Turrecremata, Spanish ecclesiastic, was born at Valladolid, in 1388, and was educated in that city. At an early age he joined the Dominican order, and soon distinguished himself for learning and devotion. In 1415 he accompanied the general of his order to the Council of Constance, whence he proceeded to Paris for study, and took his doctor’s degree in 1423. After teaching for some time in Paris he became prior of the Dominican house first in Valladolid and then in Toledo. In 1431 Pope Eugenius IV. called him to Rome and made him “magister sancti palatii.” At the Council of Basel he was one of the ablest supporters of the view of the Roman curia, and he was rewarded with a cardinal’s hat in 1439. He died at Rome on the 26th of September 1468.
His principal works are In Gratiani Decretum commentarii (4 vols., Venice, 1578); Expositio brevis et utilis super toto psalterio (Mainz, 1474); Quaestiones spirituales super evangelia totius anni (Brixen, 1498); Summa ecclesiastica (Salamanca, 1550). The last-named work has the following topics: (1) De universa ecclesia; (2) De Ecclesia romana et pontificis primatu; (3) De universalibus conciliis; (4) De schismaticis et hacreticis. His De conceptione deiparae Mariae, libri viii. (Rome, 1547), was edited with preface and notes by E. B. Pusey (London, 1869 seq.).
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torre del Greco

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​TORRE DEL GRECO, a seaport of Campania, Italy, in the province of Naples, 71/2 m. S.E. of that city by rail. Pop. (1901), 35,328. It lies at the south-west foot of Vesuvius, on the shore of the Bay of Naples. It is built chiefly of lava, and stands on the lava stream of 1631, which destroyed two-thirds of the older town. Great damage was done by the eruptions of 1737 and 1794; the earthquake of 1857 and the eruption of the 8th of December 1861 were even more destructive. After each disaster the people returned, the advantage of the rich volcanic land overcoming apprehensions of danger. In the outskirts are many beautiful villas and gardens. The town has shipbuilding yards and lava quarries. The inhabitants take part in the coral and sponge fishing off the African and Sicilian coasts, and coral is worked in the town. There is also fishing for tunny, sardines and oysters; hemp is woven, and the neighbourhood is famed for its fruit and wine. In June the great popular festival “Dei Quattro Altari” is annually celebrated here in commemoration of the abolition of the feudal dominion in 1700. Remains of ancient villas and baths have been found here.
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torre Annunziata

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​TORRE ANNUNZIATA, a seaport of Campania, Italy, in the province of Naples, on the east of the Bay of Naples, and at the south foot of Mt Vesuvius, 14 m. S.E. of Naples by rail. Pop. (1901), 28,070 (town); 28,084 (commune). It is on the main line to Battipaglia, at the point of junction of a branch line from Cancello round the east of Vesuvius, and of the branch to Castellammare di Stabia and Gragnano. It has a royal arms factory established by Charles IV., and other ironworks, considerable manufacture of macaroni, paper, breeding of silkworms, and some fishing and shipping. The harbour is protected by moles. Remains attributed to the Roman post-station of Oplontis were discovered in making the railway between Torre del Greco and Torre Annunziata, a little west of the latter, in 1842.
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torres Naharro, Bartolomé de

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​TORRES NAHARRO, BARTOLOMÉ DE (1480–1530), Spanish dramatist, was born towards the end of the 15th century at Torres, near Badajoz. After some years of soldiering and of captivity in Algiers, Torres Naharro took orders, settled in Rome about 1511, and there devoted himself chiefly to writing plays. Though he alludes to the future pope, Clement VII. as his protector, he left Rome to enter the household of Fabrizio Colonna at Naples where his works were printed under the title of Propaladia (1517). He is conjectured to have returned to his native place, and to have died there shortly after 1529. His Diálogo del nacimiento is written in unavowed, though obvious, imitation of Encina, but in his subsequent plays he shows a much larger conception of dramatic possibilities. He classifies his pieces as comedias á noticia and comedias á fantasía; the former, of which the Soldatesca and Tinellaria are examples, present in dramatic form incidents within his personal experience; the latter, which include such plays as Serafina, Himenea, Calamita and Aquilana, present imaginary episodes with adroitness and persuasiveness. Torres Naharro is much less dexterous in stage-craft than many inferior successors, his humour is rude and boisterous and his diction is unequal; but to a varied knowledge of human nature he adds knowledge of dramatic effect, and his rapid dialogue, his fearless realism and vivacious fancy prepared the way for the romantic drama in Spain.
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torres Novas

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​TORRES NOVAS, a town of Portugal, in the district of Santarem, 19 m. N.N.E. of Santarem on the Lisbon-Entroncamento railway. Pop. (1900), 10,746. It manufactures cottons, linens, jute, paper, leather and spirits. It was probably founded by Greeks, and was held by the Romans, Goths and Moors, from whom it was conquered in 1148 by Alphonso I. of Portugal.
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torrens, Robert

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​TORRENS, ROBERT (1780–1864), English soldier and economist, was born in Ireland in 1780. He entered the Marines in 1797, became a captain in 1806, and major in 1811 for bravery in Anhalt during the Walcheren expedition. He fought in the Peninsula, becoming lieutenant-colonel in 1835 and retiring as colonel in 1837. After abortive attempts to enter parliament in 1818 and 1826, he was returned in 1831 as member for Ashburton. He was a prolific writer, principally on financial and commercial policy. Almost the whole of the programme which was carried out in legislation by Sir Robert Peel had been laid down in his economic writings. He was an early and earnest advocate of the repeal of the corn laws, but was not in favour of a general system of absolute free trade, maintaining that it is expedient to impose retaliatory duties to countervail similar duties imposed by foreign countries, and a lowering of import duties on the productions of countries retaining their hostile tariffs would occasion a decline in prices, profits and wages.
His principal writings of a general character were : The Economist [i.e. Physiocrat] refuted (1808); Essay on the Production of Wealth (1821); Essay on the External Corn-trade (eulogized by Ricardo) (1827) ; The Budget, a Series of Letters on Financial, Commercial and Colonial Policy (1841–1843); The Principles and Practical Operations of Sir Robert Peel’s Act of 1844 Explained and Defended (1847).
# 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Torrens, Sir Robert Richard

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​TORRENS, SIR ROBERT RICHARD (1814–1884), British colonial statesman, was born at Cork, Ireland, in 1814, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He went to South Australia in 1840, and was appointed collector of customs. He was an official member of the first legislative council and in 1852 was treasurer and registrar-general. When responsible government was established he was elected as a representative for Adelaide and became a member of the first ministry. In 1857 he introduced his famous Real Property Act, the principle of which consists of conveyance By registration and certificate instead of deeds. The system was rapidly adopted in the other colonies and elsewhere, and was expounded by the author during a visit to the United Kingdom in 1862–1864. After leaving South Australia, Sir R. R. Torrens represented Cambridge in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1874; in 1872 he was knighted. He was the author of works on the effect of the gold discoveries on the currency, and other subjects. He died on the 31st of August 1884.