pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
ASCHERSLEBEN, a circle in the government of Magdeburg and province of Saxony, in Prussia, formed out of a part of the principality of Halderstadt and the abbey of Quedlinburg. It contains 198 square miles, or 126,720 acres. The population in 1817 amounted to 36,283 persons. The Bode and the Eine are the chief rivers; and on their banks the land is highly fertile, producing great crops of corn, flax, and rape-seed. The city of Quedlinburg is the chief place of the circle.

Aschersleben, a city in the circle of the same name, containing 1178 houses and 8731 inhabitants. It has an extensive trade in friezes, flannels, and other woollen goods, and in linen, leather, tobacco, and rape-oil.
ASCII, among geographers, an appellation given to those inhabitants of the earth who at certain seasons of the year have no shadow: such are all the inhabitants of the torrid zone when the sun is vertical to them.
ASCITAE (from αΰκος, a bag or bottle'), in Antiquity, a sect or branch of Montanists, who appeared in the second century. They were so called because they introduced a kind of Bacchanals into their assemblies, who danced round a skin or bag blown up, saying they were those new bottles filled with new wine whereof our Saviour makes mention, Matth, ix. 17. They are sometimes also called Ascodrogitoe.
ASCLEPIA, a festival of Aesculapius, the god of physic, observed particularly at Epidaurus, where it was attended with a contest between the poets and musicians, whence it was likewise called 'Itğoç Αγων, the sacred contention.
ASCLEPIAD, in ancient poetry, a verse composed of four feet, the first of which is a spondee, the second a choriambus, and the last two dactyls; or of four feet and a caesura, the first a spondee, the second a dactyl, after which comes the caesura, then the two dactyls; as, Mae- cenas atavis edite regibus.
ASCLEPIADES, one of the most celebrated physicians among the ancients, was a native of Prusa in Bithynia, and practised physic at Rome under Pompey 96 years before the Christian era. He was the head of a new sect; and, by making use of wine and cold water in the cure of the sick, acquired a very great reputation. He wrote several books, which are frequently mentioned by Galen, Celsus, and Pliny; but they do not now exist.

Asclepiades, a famous physician under Adrian, of the same city with the former. He wrote several books concerning the composition of medicines, both internal and external.
ASCODUTAE, in Antiquity, a sect of heretics in the second century, who rejected all use of symbols and sacraments, on this principle, that incorporeal things can [7:3:665]not be communicated by tilings corporeal, nor divine mysteries by any thing visible.
ASCOL1, one of the delegations into which the Papal States in Italy are divided. It comprises a part of the ancient mark of Ancona or of Fermo. It is bounded on the north-west and north by Fermo, on the east by the Adriatic Sea, on the south by the territory of Naples, and on the west by Spoleto. The extent is 480 square miles, or 307,200 acres. The Appennines are in part included in this province. It contains 3 cities, 4 markettowns, and 44 villages, with 69,058 inhabitants. The soil is generally fruitful, and the climate salubrious.—The capital of the delegation is of the same name, the see of a bishop, and the tribunal of law. It is situated atthe junction of the river Castellano with the Tronto. In the mouth of the latter is a small harbour for coasting vessels. The city contains a cathedral, 12 parish churches, 12 monasteries, 6 nunneries, a Jesuit’s college, and 7550 inhabitants. Long. 13. 28. 25. E. Lat. 42. 51. N.
ASCOLIA, in Grecian Antiquity, a festival celebrated by the Athenian husbandmen in honour of Bacchus, to whom they sacrificed a he-goat, because it destroys the vines; and, to show the greater indignity to an animal hated by Bacchus, the peasants, after having killed him, made a foot-ball of his skin.
ASCRIPTITH, or Adscriptitii, a kind of serfs, so annexed to the lands that they may be transferred and sold with them. Adscriptitii is sometimes also used in speaking of aliens or foreigners newly admitted to the freedom of a city or country.
ASDRUBAL, the name of several Carthaginian generals. See Carthage.
ASH-WEDNESDAY, the first day of Lent, supposed to have been so called from a custom in the church, of sprinkling ashes that day on the heads of penitents then admitted to penance.
ASHBOURN, a market-town in the hundred of Wirksworth, and county of Derby. It is 139 miles from London, on the high road to the north-west part of the island. It stands on the small beautiful river Dove, by which [7:3:670]stream some mills for spinning cotton are turned. There is a good corn market held every Saturday. The population was, in 1801, 2006; in 1811, 2112; and in 1821, 2188; but the parish of Ashbourn is more extensive than the town, and at the last census contained 4708 inhabitants.
ASHBURTON, a market and borough-town in the hundred of Teignbridge, and county of Devon, 191 miles from London and 19 from Exeter. It stands in a valley surrounded on every side by hills, on the great road to Plymouth. The parish-church is in the cathedral form, with a lofty tower and spire. It is one of the four towns in which a court is held for the mining districts. There was formerly an extensive trade in the manufacture of serges, which has declined much of late years. It is an ancient borough, returning two members to Parliament, who are chosen by the freeholders, in number about 200. The market is held on Saturday. The population was, in 1801, 3080; in 1811, 3058; and in 1821, 3403.
ASHBY de la Zouch, a market-town in the hundred of West Goscote, of the county of Leicester. It is in a fine valley on the borders of Derbyshire, on the river Gilweskaw, and surrounded by a most fertile district. The town is well built. Near it is an ancient castle belonging to the Earls of Huntingdon, and a mineral spring, increasing in celebrity, called Griffydam. There is a large market every Saturday. Population in 1801, 2674; in 1811, 3114; and in 1821, 3403.
ASHES, the fixed residue of combustible substances which remains after they have been burnt.

Several religious ceremonies depend upon the use of ashes. St Jerome relates that the Jews in his time rolled themselves in ashes as a sign of mourning. To repent in sackcloth and ashes is a frequent expression in Scripture for mourning and being afflicted for our sins. A heifer being sacrificed upon the great day of expiation, its ashes were distributed among the people, who made from them a sort of lustral water, which they used in purifications, by sprinkling it on such persons as had defiled themselves by touching a dead body or being present at a funeral (Numb. xix. 17).

The ancient Persians had a sort of punishment for some great criminals, which consisted in executing them in ashes. The criminal was thrown headlong from a tower 50 cubits high, which was filled with ashes to a particular height (2 Macc. xiii. 5, 6). The motion which he used to disengage himself from this place plunged him still deeper into it, and this agitation was further increased by a wheel which stirred the ashes continually about until he was stifled.
ASHFORD, a town in the hundred of Chart, in the county of Kent. It has a market on Tuesday. It is 57 miles from London and 12 from Canterbury, in a district of great fertility, watered by the rivers Esk and Stour. The church is a fine old Gothic edifice, containing a monument to a countess of Athol more than 400 years old. The population was, in 1801, 2151; in 1811, 2532; and in 1821, 2773.
ASHLAR, a term used among *builders, by which they mean common or free stones, as they come out of the quarry, of different lengths and thicknesses.
ASHLERING, among builders, signifies quartering, to lath to, in garrets, about two and a half or three feethigh, perpendicular to the floor, up to the under side of the rafters.
ASHRUFF, an ancient and formerly splendid city of Persia, adorned with a magnificent palace built by Shah Abbas, which was his favourite residence. It is situated on the shore of a bay, on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. This palace is described in glowing terms by Hanway, who saw it in its splendour. It was visited by Fraser in 1821, who found it a heap of ruins; and the town appeared to have suffered equally with the royal establishment. Ashruff was formerly said to have 300 baths within its walls; but it now contains only 500 houses, which are thinly scattered through an extensive jungle. It is about 70 miles west of Astrabad. Long. 53.15. E. Lat. 36. 50. N.

ASHTON-under-Line, a large parish in the hundred of Salford and county of Lancaster, distant 5 miles from Manchester and 185 from London. It is one of those large places which within a few years has risen to wealth arid populousness from the cotton manufactories. It is situated on the river Tame, and has the benefit of a navigable canal to Manchester, Rochdale, and Lancaster. The parish contains the hamlets of Hartshead, Hay, More-ley, and Staley Bridge. Population in 1801, 15,632; in 1811, 19,052; and in 1821, 25,967.
ASIARCHAE (termed by St Paul, Chief of Asia, Acts xix. 31) were the Pagan pontiffs of Asia, chosen to superintend and have the care of the public games, which they did at their own expense; for which reason they were always the richest and most considerable men of the community.
ASINARA, an island of Italy, on the western coast of Sardinia. Long. 8. 30. E. Lat. 4L 0. N.
ASINIUS Pollio, a Roman consul and orator, distinguished himself under Augustus by his exploits and his literary works. He is frequently mentioned with praise by Horace and Virgil, and is said to have collected the first library at Rome. He died at Frescati, at eighty years of age.
ASISIO, or Asιτo, a city of the pope’s territories in Italy, situated about 16 miles east of Perugia. Long. 13. 35. E. Lat. 43. 0. N.
ASKEATON, a post town of Ireland, in the county of Limerick, on the river Deal, near its junction with the Shannon. Population 1239. 144 miles S. W. from Dublin.
ASKEREN, a place five miles from Doncaster, noted for a medicinal spring of a strongly sulphureous nature; it is also slightly impregnated with a purging salt.
ASKRIG, a town in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Long. 0. 5. W. Lat. 53. 50. N.
ASLANI, in Commerce, a silver coin, worth from 115 to 120 aspers.
ASMONEUS, or Assamoneus, the father of Simon, and chief of the Asmoneans, a family that reigned over the Jews 126 years.
ASNA, or Èsna, a town in Upper Egypt, seated upon the Nile, and occupying the site of the ancient Latopolis. It is near the cataracts of the Nile, and is the last place of any magnitude on the side of Nubia. It contains several monuments of antiquity, and among the rest an ancient Egyptian temple, pretty entire, all painted throughout, except in some places that are effaced by time. The columns are full of hieroglyphic figures. This structure is considered by Denon as one of the most perfect monuments of ancient architecture he had seen. A little way from thence are the ruins of an ancient nunnery, said to be built by St Helena, surrounded with tombs. Asna is the principal town in these parts, and the inhabitants are rich in corn and cattle. They drive a considerable trade into Lower Egypt and Nubia, by means of the Nile, and also by the caravans that pass over the desert. The inhabitants are all Arabs, except about 200 Copts, the ancient inhabitants, and a sort of Christians. They are under the government of the Turks, who have a cadi; and the Arabs have two sherifs of their own nation. Long. 32. 35. E. Lat. 23. 15. N.
ASOLA, a town of the territory of Brescia, in the Austrian division of Italy. It is built on the river Chiese, about 20 miles south-east from Brescia, and contains a population of 3100 persons. Long. 10. 35. E. Lat. 45. 6. 4. N.
ASOLO, a town of Austrian Italy, in the delegation of Verona, on the river Musone. It is well built and finely situated. It has a cathedral and several other churches, with an ancient castle, and the remains of a Roman aqueduct. The inhabitants are mostly employed in cultivating silk. Long. 12. 1. 5. E. Lat. 45. 47. 37. N.
ASOPH, a town of Cuban Tartary, in Asia, seated on the river Don, near its mouth, a little to the east of the Palus Maeotis or Sea of Asoph. Long. 39. 5. E. Lat 47. 18. N.
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ASP, in Natural History, a small poisonous kind of serpent. It is said to be thus denominated from the Greek wsntς, a shield, in regard to the manner of its lying convolved in a circle, in the centre of which is the head, which it exerts or raises like the umbo or umbilicus of a buckler. This species of serpent is very frequently mentioned by authors, but so carelessly described that it is not easy to determine which, if any, of the species known at present may properly be called by this name. It was with the asp that Cleopatra is said to have dispatched herself, and prevented the designs of Augustus, who intended to have carried her captive to adorn his triumphal entry into Rome. But the fact is contested: Sir Thomas Brown places it in the list of vulgar errors. The indications of that queen’s having used the ministry of the asp were only two almost insensible pricks found in her arm; and Plutarch says that the cause of her death is unknown. Lord Bacon makes the asp the least painful of all the instruments of death. He supposes it to have an affinity to opium, but to be less disagreeable in its operation. See Reptilia.
ASPASIA of Miletus, a celebrated courtezan who settled at Athens under the administration of Pericles. She was of admirable beauty: yet her wit and eloquence, still more than her beauty, gained her extraordinary reputation among all ranks in the republic. Her conversation was so entertaining and instructive, that notwithstanding the dishonourable commerce she carried on in female virtue, persons of the first distinction, male and female, resorted to her house as to an academy. It is said that she even numbered Socrates among her hearers. She captivated Pericles in such a manner that he dismissed his own wife in order to espouse her; and by her universal knowledge, irresistible elocution, and intriguing genius, she in a great measure influenced the administration of Athens. She was accused of having excited, from motives of personal resentment, the war of Peloponnesus. The companions of Aspasia served as models for painting and statuary, and themes for poetry and panegyric. Nor were they merely the objects, but, as is said, the authors, of some literary works, in which they established rules for the behaviour of their lovers, particularly at table; and explained the art of gaining the heart and captivating the affections.
ASPASTICUM (from α&ταξομαι, I salute), among ecclesiastical writers, a place or apartment adjoining to the ancient churches, wherein the bishop and presbyters sat, to repeive the salutations of the persons who came to visit them, desire their blessing, or consult them on business. This is also called aspastìcum diaeonicum, receptorium, metatorium, or mesatorium, and salutatorium ; in English, greeting-house.
ASPER, in Grammar, an accent peculiar to the Greek language, marked thus ('), and importing that the letters over which it is placed ought to be strongly aspirated, or pronounced as if an h were joined with them.

Asper, or Aspre, in Commerce, a Turkish coin, three of which make a medine.
ASPERIFOLIATE, or Asperifolious, among botanists, such plants as are rough-leaved, having their leaves placed alternately on their stalks, and a monopetalous flower divided into five parts.
ASPEROSA, a town of Turkey in Europe, situated on the coast of the Archipelago. It is a bishop’s see. Long. 25. 20. E. Lat. 40. 58. N.
ASPHALTUM, Bitumen Judaicum, or Jew’s Pitch, is a light, solid bitumen, of a dusky colour on the outside, and a deep shining black within; of very little taste, and having scarcely any smell, unless heated, when it emits a strong pitchy one. It is found in a soft or liquid state on the surface of the Dead Sea, and by age grows dry [7:3:705]and hard. The same kind of bitumen is met with likewise in the earth in other places of the world, in China, America, and in some places of Europe, as the Carpathian Hills, France, Neufchatel, &c.
ASPHURELATA are semi-metallic fossils, fusible by fire, and not malleable in their purest state, being in their native state intimately mixed with sulphur and other adventitious matter, and reduced to what are called ores.
ASPICUETA, or Azpilcueta, Martin de, commonly called the Doctor of Navarre, was descended of a noble family, and born on the 13th of December 1491, at Vara-sayn, a small city of Navarre, not far from Pampeluna. He entered very young into the monastery of regular canons at Roncevaux, where he took the habit, which he continued to wear after he left the convent. He studied classical learning, natural and moral philosophy, and divinity, at Alcala in New Castile, adopting chiefly the system of Petrus Lombardus, commonly called the Master of the Sentences. He applied himself to the study of the law at Ferrara, and taught it with applause at Toulouse and Cahors. After being first professor of canon law at Salamanca for 14 years, he quitted that place to be professor of law at Coimbra, with a larger salary. The duties of this office he discharged for the space of 20 years, and then resigned it to retire into his own country. Pope Pius V. made him assistant to Cardinal Francis Aciat, his vice-penitentiary; and Gregory XIII. never passed his door without calling for him, and stopped sometimes a whole hour to talk with him in the street. He was consulted as an oracle; and his name became so famous, that even in his lifetime the highest encomium on a learned man was to call him a Navarrus. He died on the 21st June 1586, having by temperance prolonged his life to the age of 94. He wrote a number of treatises on morality, law, &c. These were published in 3 vols. folio in 1589, and in 6 vols. 4to in 1602.
ASS, in Zoology. See Mammalia.
ASSAI, in Music, signifies quick; and, according to others, that the motion of the piece be kept in a middle degree of quickness or slowness. As, assai allegro, assai presto.
ASSARIUM, in Antiquity, denotes a small copper coin, being a part or diminutive of the as. The word atfiaj∕o⅛ is used by Suidas indifferently with oβολoς and wμι<sμα, to denote a small piece of money; in which he is followed by Cujacius, who defines a<Soayov by minimus aeris nurnrnus∙ We find mention of the assarium in the gospel of St Matthew, chap. x. ver. 29.
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ASSARO, a city in the island of Sicily, and intendancy of Calatanissetta, containing 3300 inhabitants. The situation is lofty and healthy, but there is nothing remarkable except a number of caverns in the hills in its neighbourhood.
ASSARON, or Omer, a measure of capacity in use among the Hebrews, containing five pints. It was the measure of manna which God appointed for every Israelite.
ASSAULT, in English Law, is an offer or attempt to hurt the person of another; as, if one lifts up his cane or his fist in a threatening manner at another, or strikes at him, but misses him, this is an assault; the actual touching of the person not being necessary to make the offence. Finch describes it to be “an unlawful setting upon one’s person.” No words whatsoever, be they ever so provoking, can amount to an assault. There are, however, opinions to the contrary.
ASSAY, Essay, or Say, in Metallurgy, the proof or trial of the goodness, purity, value, &c. of metals and metalline substances. In ancient statutes this is called touch, and those who had the care of it keepers of the touch.
ASSELYN, John, a famous painter, was born in Holland, and became the disciple of Isaiah Vandervelde, the battle-painter. He distinguished himself in history-painting, battles, landscapes; animals, and particularly horses. He travelled into France and Italy, and was so pleased with the manner of Bambochio that he always followed it. He painted many pictures at Lyons, where he married the daughter of a merchant of Antwerp, and returned with her to Holland. Here he first discovered to his countrymen a fresh and clear manner of painting landscapes like Claude Lorraine; upon which all the painters imitated his style, and reformed the dark brown they had hitherto followed. Asselyn’s pictures were so much admired at Amsterdam that they sold there at a high price. He died in that city in 1660. Twenty-four pieces of landscapes and ruins, which he painted in Italy, have been engraved by Perelle.
ASSEMBLY, the meeting of several persons in the same place, upon the same design. Assemblies of the clergy are called convocations, synods, councils. The annual meeting of the church of Scotland is called a General Assembly.
ASSEN, a town of the Netherlands, capital of the province of Drenthe, containing 1173 inhabitants. It is a lively and pleasant place, being on the road between Groningen and Zwole.
ASSENDE, a market-town, with 3314 inhabitants, in the circle of Ceclo and province of East Flanders. It is in long. 3. 59. 22. E. and lat. 51. 13. 49. N.
ASSENHEIM, a jurisdiction belonging to the mediatized Count of Solme Rodelheim, now in the dominions of [7:3:716]the prince of Hesse Cassel, in Germany, containing one city, ten villages, 654 houses, and 3957 inhabitants. The chief place of the bailiwick is of the same name, and contains 615 inhabitants.
ASSENS, a sea-port town of Denmark, situated upon the Little Belt, a strait of the Baltic which separates the isle of Funen from the continent. It is the common passage from the duchy of Sleswick to Copenhagen. Long. 10. 30. E. Lat. 55. 15. N.
ASSER, John, or Asserius Menevensis, that is, Asser of St David’s, bishop of Sherburn in the reign of Alfred the Great. He was born in Pembrokeshire in South Wales, and educated in the monastery of St David’s by the archbishop Asserius, who, according to Leland, was his kinsman. In this monastery he became a monk, and by his assiduous application soon acquired universal fame as a person of profound learning and great abilities. Alfred, the munificent patron of genius, about the year 880 sent for him to court. The king was then at Dean in Wiltshire. He was so charmed with Asser that he made him his preceptor and companion. As a reward for his services, he appointed him abbot of two or three different monasteries; and at last promoted him to the episcopal see of Sherburn, where he died and was buried in the year 910. He was, says Pitts, a man of happy genius, wonderful modesty, extensive learning, and great integrity of life. He is said to have been principally instrumerital in persuading the king to restore the university of Oxford to its pristine dignity and lustre. He wrote De Vita et Rebus Gestis Al-fredi, first published by Archbishop Parker in the old -Saxon character, at the end of Walsinghami Hist. Lond. ,1574. It was reprinted at Frankfort in 1603, in folio, and in 8vo at Oxford in 1722. Various other works have been ascribed to this author by Pitts and by Leland.
ASSESSOR, an inferior officer of justice, appointed chiefly to assist the ordinary judge with his opinion and advice.
ASSETS, in English Law, are real or personal. Where a man hath lands in fee-simple, and dies seised thereof, the lands which come to his heirs are assets real; and where he dies possessed of any personal estate, the goods which come to the executors are assets personal.
ASSHETON, William, doctor of divinity, and rector of Beckenham in Kent, was born in the year 1641, and was educated at Brazen-nose College, Oxford. After entering into orders he became chaplain to the duke of Ormond, and was admitted doctor of divinity in 1673. Soon after he was nominated to a prebend in the church of York, presented to the living of St Antholin, London, and to the rectory of Beckenham in Kent. He was the first projector of the scheme for providing for clergymen’s widows and others, by a jointure payable out of the mercers’ company. He wrote several pieces against the papists and dissenters, and some devotional tracts. He died at Beckenham in September 1711, in the 70th year of his age.