pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
XIMENA, a city of Spain, in the province of Andalusia, about twenty-five miles from the British fortress of Gibraltar. It is utterly inaccessible for any kind of wheelcarriages. It was once a place of importance, as it gave the title of king to Abou Melic, the son of the emperor of Fez. In more ancient times, it was a Roman station, as is proved by the walls of the castle, and by numerous inscriptions which have been found in its vicinity. The town lies under the shelter of a rocky ledge, which is detached from the mass of the lofty mountains, and is crowned with the ruined towers of an ancient castle, which forms a picturesque view from the surrounding country. Ximena is nearly a mile in length, and principally consists of two long narrow streets, one extending from north to south, and the other leading up to the castle: the alleys between them are in steps up the steep side of the impending hill, and can only be reached on foot. The old castle, of Roman foundation, but of Moorish superstructure, is accessible only on the side of the town, and in former days must have been impregnable. This citadel is 400 yards in length, and varies in breadth from fifty to eighty yards. It is surrounded by a turreted wall, except where the scarped rock has rendered it unnecessary. It has been provided with vaulted tanks and magazines, but from neglect they are in a dilapidated state. It was exposed to great injury in 1811, when it was partially blown up by General Ballasteros, who abandoned it on the approach of the French, to seek a more sure protection under the guns of Gibraltar. The town at the present day is poor, containing about 8000 inhabitants, who are chiefly occupied in agriculture; but many are employed in the seductive but hazardous trade of smuggling tobacco and other goods from Gibraltar into the interior of Spain. The river Sogarganta runs at the foot of the place, and has on its left bank the ruins of a vast building, erected sixty years ago for the purpose of casting cannon-balls for the siege of the British fortress.
XIMO, or Kiusiu, an island of Japan, second in magnitude to Niphon, being upwards of 200 miles in length, about 150 in breadth, and containing many excellent harbours and flourishing cities. Europeans are rigorously excluded from all intercourse with this island, with the exception of the Dutch, who are still allowed to send their annual vessel to Nangasaki. Near the coast is the city of Firando, where the Portuguese at one time had an establishment, but from which they are now entirely banished. In other respects, Ximo is very little known to Europeans.
XIXONA, a city of Spain, the capital of the fertile partido of that name, in the province of Valencia. It is to the north-east of the port of Alicant, from which its chief productions are exported. The vicinity is covered with abundant woods of palm-trees; and mixed with them are extensive plantations of almonds, which form the greatest article in its commerce. From almonds mixed with honey a conserve is made, which is very delicious, and much in demand in almost every part of Spain. The grapes are abundant, and much brandy is distilled from them. The population of the city is stated to be 5000 souls.
XULLA Islands, four islands in the Eastern Seas. The most considerable of them is Xulla Bessey, which is about eleven leagues in length, in good cultivation, and well inhabited. This island abounds with wax and honey. There is a village adjacent to the south-east point, where the Dutch have a fort, and where ships may procure refreshments. These islands are situated to the south-east of the Molucca passage. They are occasionally invaded by tire [7:21:957]Papuas from New Guinea, though the distance is nearly 300 miles. A settlement was formed by the English on one of these islands; but they were induced to abandon it, from the badness of the soil, and other circumstances, and to remove to the coast of Borneo.
XULLABELLA, an island in the Eastern Seas, about twenty-five miles long and six broad. Long. 126. 12. E. Lat. 2. 15. S.
XULLAMANGOLA, an island in the Eastern Seas, about thirty miles long and ten broad. Long. 125. 42. E. Lat. 1. 54. S.
XUN, a city of China, of the second rank, in the province of Sechuen. Long. 103. 20. E. Lat. 30. 18. N.
XYNOECIA, an anniversary feast observed by the Athenians in honour of Minerva, upon the sixteenth of Hecatombaeon, to commemorate their leaving, by the persuasion of Theseus, their country seats, in which they lay dispersed here and there in Attica, and uniting together in one body.
XYSTARCHA, the master or director of the xystus. In the Greek gymnasium, the xystarcha was the second officer, and the gymnasiarcha the first. The former was his lieutenant, and presided over the xysti, and all exercises of the athlete therein.
XYSTUS, among the Greeks, was a long portico open or covered at the top, where the athlete practised wrestling and running. The gladiators who practised in it were called xystici. Among the Romans, the xystus was only an alley, or double row of trees, meeting like an arbour, and forming a shade to walk under.
Y, or y, the twenty-fourth letter of our alphabet Its sound is formed by expressing the breath with a sudden expansion of the lips from that configuration by which we express the vowel u. At the beginning of words, it is commonly taken for a consonant, being placed before all vowels, as in yard, yield, young, &c. but before no consonant At the end of words it is a vowel, and is substituted for the sound of i, as in try, descry, &c. In the middle of words it is not used so frequently as i, unless in words derived from the Greek, as in chyle, empyreal, &c. though it is admitted into the middle of some pure English words, as in dying, flying, &c. The Romans had no capital of this letter, but used the small one in the middle and last syllables of words, as in coryambus, onyx, martyr. Y is also a numeral, signifying 150, or, according to Baronius, 159; and with a dash over it, as Ȳ, it signified 150,000.
YA, a city of China, of the second rank, in Sechuen. Long. 102. 39. E. Lat 30. 9. N.
YABARKULSKAIA, a village of Tobolsk, in Asiatic Russia, on the Irtysch, 120 miles east of Tobolsk.
YACHT, a vessel rigged as a queen’s cutter, having a boom-mainsail, foresail, and jib. They are generally used as pleasure-boats.
YADI, a river of Asiatic Russia, which falls into the Ob-skaia Gulf. Long. 72. 38. E. Lat. 67. 25. N.
YAMSKOI, a fortress of Asiatic Russia, in the government of Okhotsk, at the mouth of the river Yama, about 800 miles north of Okhotsk.
YAMYCHEFSKAIA, a fortress of Asiatic Russia, in [7:21:958] the government of Tomsk and district of Blisk, situated on a high bank of the Irtysch. It was built in 1715 of wood, and was rebuilt in 1765 of earth, with 200 well-built houses attached to it, besides barracks for the garrison, magazines, and a stone church. The inhabitants are exposed to inconvenience from the quantity of sand that is blown from the river when the wind comes from that quarter. Long. 77. 50. E. Lat. 60. 12. N.
YANG, the name of two towns in China, of the third rank, one in Chan-si, near the river Han, the other in Yunan. There is also a town of this name in Corea.
YANG-CHAN, a town of China, of the third rank, in Quang-tong.
YANG-CONG, a river of China, which runs into the Kincha.
YANG-HO, a river of China, which joins the San-cam-ho. Long. 112. 49. E. Lat. 40. 23. N.
YANG-KANG, a town of China, of the third rank, in Tche-kiang, twenty-two miles south-east of Kin-hoa.
YANG-TCHEOU, a city of China, of the first rank, in Kiang-nan, situated on the bank of the Royal Canal, where it crosses the great river Yang-tse∙kiang. It is a place of great trade, and, besides dealing in all manner of Chinese goods, is a great mart for salt, which is made on the seacoast, and which is distributed over the country by means of small canals cut for this purpose, and ending in the great canal. It is 485 miles south-south-east of Peking. Long. 118. 54. E. Lat. 32. 26. N.
YANG-TSE-KIANG, the largest river in the Chinese empire, and one of the greatest in the world. Its source, which is unknown to Europeans, is laid down in the Chinese maps as situated among the mountains of Tibet. It flows during the first part of its course along the borders of China; after which it enters the Chinese territory, and passes, in a westerly course, through Sechuen, Houquang, and Kiang-nan, the central provinces, diffusing, far and wide, commerce and fertility, and facilitating the internal intercourse of the empire. Increased in its progress by numerous tributary streams, it becomes truly magnificent when it passes the great city of Nanking, from the fleets of trading craft with which it is covered; and there is thence a continued succession of cities, towns, and villages, diversified by the high cultivation of the intervening country. It falls into the Gulf of Tsong-ming, in the Eastern Seas, about 120 miles to the east of Nanking.
YANGUIN, Chainwah, a town of the Birman empire, situated on the east bank of the Irrawuddy river. It is the station of a custom-house. Long. 95. 45. E. Lat. 17. 7. N.
YANTCHIN or Wantchin, a city of China, of the second rank, in Quangsee. Long. 106.51.E. Lat.28.1. N.
YAO, a city of China, of the second rank, in Chan-si. Long. 108. 31. E. Lat. 35. 54. N.
YAO-NGAN, a city of China, of the first rank, situated on the frontier province of Yunan. Near it is a well producing a very white salt. Long. 101. E. Lat. 25. 33. N.
YAO-TCHEOU, a city of China, situated on the northern side of the Poyang lake. It is a great emporium of the porcelain manufactures, and supports a great population. Long. 116. 14. E. Lat. 29. 0. N.
YARD of a Ship , a long piece of timber suspended upon the masts, to extend the sails to the wind. All yards are either square or lateen; the former of which are suspended across the masts at right angles, and the latter obliquely. The square yards are nearly of a cylindrical surface. They taper from the middle, which is called the slings, towards the extremities, which are termed the yard-arms; and the distance between the slings and the yardarms on each side is by the artificers divided into quarters, which are distinguished into the first, second, third quarters, and yard-arms. The middle quarters are formed into eight squares, and each of the end parte is figured like the frus tum of a cone. All the yards of a ship are square except that of the mizen.

Yards also denote places belonging to the navy, where the ships of war, &c. are laid up in harbour. See Docks .
YARE, among sailors, implies ready or quick: as, be yare at the helm; that is, be quick, ready, and expeditious at the helm. It is sometimes also used for bright by seamen: as, to keep his arms yare; that is, to keep them clean and bright.

Yare, a river of Norfolk, which runs from west to east through that county, passing by Norwich, and falling into the German Ocean at Yarmouth.
YARKUND, a city of Cashgar, in that part of Chinese Tartary which commonly goes by the name of Little Bucharia. It is situated on a river of the same name, on the eastern side of that great range of mountains which extends northwards from the Himalaya range, and divides Chinese from Independent Tartary. This city, after enjoying a high degree of celebrity in that part of Asia, was destroyed by Meerza Abubekr, grandson of Timour, who however restored it to prosperity, when its population increased; and the air being salubrious, he made it his residence, adorning it with splendid edifices, bringing water into the streets, and in other ways rendering it fit for a royal abode. Its walls are about 1200 feet high; and numerous gardens, the finest in the world, were planted around it. It is at present defended by a wall of stone cemented with mud, in which there are five gates. The houses are mean, being built of stone and mud, and have all balconies. The bazaar runs from east to west, and is described as consisting of a range of seats upon a platform, behind which there are handsome shops, chiefly occupied by Chinese. It contains more than ten large colleges, for the support of which lands are assigned, and plenty of caravanserais for the accommodation of travellers. The town is watered by canals from the river, from which are filled certain reservoirs, of mud and stone, which supply the inhabitants with water when the canals are frozen and the river low. The water of the river is also employed in irrigating the surrounding cultivation and gardens. The inhabitants of this and the other towns in this part of Asia are chiefly mechanics, merchants, and teachers or priests. Many of them are afflicted with the glandular swelling in the throat called goitre. The women of the country, whether high or low, do not wear veils. The Russians carry on a commercial intercourse with Yarkund, which is a great emporium of inland trade. It is within the dominion of the Chinese, under whose government it has been for the last eighty years. Long. 78. 27. 45. E. Lat. 38. 19. N.
YARM, or Yarum, a market-town of the north riding of Yorkshire, in the wapentake of Langbarough, 244 miles from London. It stands on the river Tees, over which is a handsome bridge, and consists of one long wide street. It has a considerable trade by sea, and much corn and lead are shipped for London. There were in ancient times two monasteries, founded by the family of Bruce. It has a good market on Thursday. The population amounted in 1821 to 1504, and in 1831 to 1636.
YARMUC, or Yarun, a village of Palestine, in the district of Saphet, on a small river of the same name, which falls into the lake of Tiberias. It is twenty-four miles south of Saphet.

Yabmuc, a river of Syria, the ancient Marsyas, which runs into the Orontes near Apamea.
YAULY, a town of Hindustan, province of Berar, nineteen miles south-west from Nagpoor. Long. 79.1. E. Lat. 26. 25. N.
YAWNING, an involuntary opening of the mouth, generally produced by weariness or an inclination to sleep. Yawning, according to Boerhaave, is performed by expanding at one and the same time all the muscles capable of spontaneous motion, by greatly extending the lungs; by drawing in gradually and slowly a large quantity of air, and gradually and slowly breathing it out after it has been retained for some time and rarefied, and then restoring the muscles to their natural state. Hence the effect of yawning is to move, accelerate, and equally distribute all the humours through all the vessels of the body, and consequently to qualify the muscles and organs of sensation for their various functions. Sanctorius observes, that a great deal is insensibly discharged, when nature endeavours to get rid of the retained perspirable matter, by yawning and stretching the limbs. To these a person is most inclined just after sleep, because a greater quantity going off by the pores of the skin than at other times, whenever a person wakes, the increasing contraction that then happens closes a great deal of the perspirable matter in the cutaneous passages, which will continually give such irritations as excite yawning and stretching; and such motions, by shaking the membranes of the whole body, and shifting the contact of their fibres, and the enclosed matter, by degrees throw it off. Hence we see the reason why healthful strong people are most inclined to such motions, because they perspire most in time of sleep, and therefore have more of the perspirable matter to lodge in the pores, and greater irritations. The advantages of some little exercise just after waking in a morning are considerable, as it throws off all the perspirable matter that is ready for its exit from the body. When yawning is troublesome, Hippocrates says that it is cured by long, deep respiration, or drawing in the air at long intervals.
YAYNANGHEOM, a town of the Birman empire, situated on the eastern bank of the Irrawuddy river. It carries on a very considerable traffic, and has a manufacture of earthen ware. Five miles east of the town are situated the petroleum wells, which supply the whole kingdom with this oil, which is used in lamps and for all other purposes of train or wood oil, and is sold very cheap. The government farms out the ground that supplies this extraordinary oil, and the renter draws it out at his own expense. The depth of the pits is about thirty-seven fathoms, and it is drawn out by means of pots, which are let down to the bottom by ropes. Long. 94. 35. E. Lat. 20. 28. N.
YEAR, in Astronomy and chronology. See Astronomy and Calendar .
YEAST, or Yest, a head or scum rising upon beer or ale while working or fermenting in the vat. See Brewing.
YELCUNDEL, a district of Hindustan, province of Hyderabad, situated between the eighteenth and nineteenth degrees of north latitude, and bounded on the north by the river Godavery.
YELL, one of the islands of Shetland, lying north-east from the Mainland, and divided from it by an arm of the sea, called Yell Sound. By some it is thought to have been the Thule of the ancients. It is seventeen miles long and from six to eight broad. It is very mountainous, and full of moss; but there are considerable pastures, in which the islanders feed a great many sheep; and it also affords plenty of peat. It has eight large harbours. It is divided into two parishes; and its inhabitants are partly supported by the cod, ling, and whale fisheries, and by agriculture. Their number in 1831 amounted to 3492.
YELLOW, one of the original colours of light.
YELLOW River, or Hoangho, a great river of China, which, along with the parallel stream of Yang-tse-kiang, or Blue River, has its sources in the unknown clefts of the Tibetian Mountains, probably the lofty central chain of the Asiatic continent; and after a tortuous course of [7:21:960]great length, estimated at about 1800 or 2000 miles, it falls into the Yellow Sea by numerous channels, in about 33° north latitude. In the early part of its course it runs northward, and is carried beyond the limits of the Chinese empire, being turned aside by a lofty chain of mountains for 500 or 600 miles. It afterwards turns into an opposite direction, and reaching the original line of its course, again enters the Chinese empire, and by its winding progress diffuses more widely the benefit of its waters. Though broad and rapid, it is in many places so shallow as to be unfavourable for navigation. It is also liable to overflow its banks, so that it has been necessary to raise dikes for the defence of the surrounding country.

Yellow Sea, a large gulf, about 120 miles in length and eighty in breadth, connected with the Gulf of Pe-tche-lee, and extending along the coast of the province of the same name in Chinese Tartary.
YELPOORA, a small town of Northern India, province of Canara, situated above the Ghaut Mountains, in the Soonda district. It is inhabited by Christians, Mahommedans, and Hindus. Long. 74. 55. E. Lat. 14. 57. N.
YEMEN, a large province of Arabia, comprehending its finest and most fertile portion, situated partly on the Red Sea and partly on the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by the provinces of Hadramaut, Nedjed, and Hedjaz. It was celebrated by the ancients under the title of Arabia Felix, but modern researches do not by any means justify this appellation: some parts are no doubt fertile, but in general it is barren and unproductive. It is divided into two parts, differing greatly in soil and climate. The plain of the Tehama, which forms a broad belt along the whole of the coast, consists almost entirely of a waste of dry and unproductive sand. It is about two days’ journey in breadth, and is scorched by torrid heats. The Djcbal, or mountainous district, in the interior, presents in many parts a more agreeable aspect. The hills, though precipitous, are fertile in many spots, and enjoy a more temperate air. The lower declivities are covered with trees and aromatic shrubs, and the mountain chains are divided by fine valleys, which, being watered by numerous streams, can be advantageously cultivated. The natives are industrious agriculturists, though their instruments are rude; and in many districts the fields are cultivated like gardens. The grains chiefly raised are barley, millet, and dhourra: there is not an adequate supply of water for the cultivation of rice. The aromatic plants which grow upon the sides of the hills are the most valuable products of this region. The coffee produced in Yemen has always possessed a flavour which cannot be rivalled by that of any other country to which the shrub has been transplanted from this its native region; and Mocha coffee is in request all over the world. The balm of Mecca, and the tree bearing incense, are also produced in Yemen, though they are found in greater perfection on the opposite coast of Africa.

Like the rest of Arabia, Yemen was formerly parcelled out among a number of different sovereigns in unequal portions; but it has been formed into a considerable monarchical state, subject to a sovereign who assumes the modest title of Imam or doctor, but exercises over his subjects an authority nearly absolute. He is forced however to pay respect to the pride of the aristocracy, namely, the schiechs or hereditary chiefs, who here, as over all Arabia, possess a high influence, and, seated in their strong castles in the interior, often set his mandates at defiance. The sovereigns of Yemen were formerly reduced under the Saracen power, and afterwards under the soldans of Egypt. They were since menaced by the growing power of the Wahabees, who made themselves masters of all the seaports except Mocha; but their power and kingdom being extinguished by Mehemet Ali, this country came under his dominion. In consequence of the late successful operations of the British fleet against Syria, it will revert with that country to the rule of the sultan.
YEN, a river of China, which falls into the Hoangho, seventeen miles south-east of Yen-tchang.
YEN-KIANG, a city of China, of the second rank, in Pe-tche-lee. Long. 125. 30. E. Lat. 40. 30. N.
YEN-NGAN, a city of China, of the first rank, in Chansi, situated in an agreeable plain surrounded by lofty mountains. The territory abounds in fens. Long. 108. 49. E. Lat. 36. 44. N.
YEN-PING, a city of China, of the first rank, in Fokien. It is situated on the river Min-ho. It is not large, but is considered a stirring commercial city. Long. 117. 54. E. Lat. 26. 40. N.
YEN-TCHEOU, a city of China, of the first rank, in Tchekiang, situated on a river near the sea, so that the tide approaches its walls. It contains beautiful buildings. In its vicinity are mines of copper, and trees which yield a varnish that is much esteemed for lackered work. In Shantung there is another city of this name, of the first rank. Its territory is plentifully watered by many streams, being enclosed between the Hoangho and another great river. It has also numerous dependent cities, nearly as large as itself. The territory is celebrated as being the birth-place of Confucius. Long. 116. 36. E. Lat. 35. 44. N.
YEOMAN, the first or highest degree among the plebeians of England, next in order to the gentry. The yeomen are properly freeholders, who having land of their own, live on good husbandry.

Υεομαν is also a title of office in the king’s household, of a middle place or rank between an officer and a groom.

Υεομεν of the Guard were anciently 250 men of the best rank under gentry, and of larger stature than ordinary, each being required to be six feet high. At present there are but 100 yeomen in constant duty, and seventy more not in duty; and as any of the 100 dies, his place is supplied out of the seventy. They are dressed after the manner of King Henry VIII.’s time. They formerly had diet as well as wages when in waiting, but this was withdrawn in the reign of Queen Anne.
YEOVIL, a borough-town of the county of Somerset, in the hundred of Stone, 121 miles from London. It stands on the river Yeo or Ivel, which joins the Parret, and runs to the Bristol Channel. It is a well-built town, and was once famed for its woollen manufactures; but these have been superseded by the making of gloves, which now forms the chief occupation, and has augmented the population. Besides the church, there are various places of worship for dissenters. There is a well-frequented market on Friday. The inhabitants amounted in 1821 to 4655, and in 1831 to 5921.