pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
WORONESH, one of the governments or stadtholderates into which the Russian empire in Europe is divided. It takes the name from its capital city, and extends in north latitude from 48° 37' to 52° 53', and in east longitude from 38° 35' to 14° 17'. It is bounded on the north by Tambow, on the north-east by Saratow, on the east and south-east by the country of the Don Cossacks, on the south-west by Jekaterinoslaw, and on the west by Slobodsk-Ukraine and Kursk. It comprehends the vast space, including the circle of Nowochopersk recently added to it, of 34,034 square miles, in which are sixteen cities and towns, 769 parishes with each its church, and numerous villages and hamlets. The inhabitants are 1,445,900, mostly of the race of the indigenous Russians, but having many Cossacks and some Gipsys mingled with them. There are also several newly-planted people, called colonists, of various races. With the exception of some Germans who have settled there, and keep separate, they all adhere to the Greek church. The nobles are less numerous than in some of the other governments, but more than one third of the whole inhabitants are their slaves.

The climate is temperate, as may be presumed from the latitude. The rivers seldom freeze till the end of December, and are open again in March. It is a healthy district, the people attain a great age, the cattle are large and strong, and the vegetable productions of the milder climates make their appearance in the southern parts. The grain chiefly cultivated is rye, some little wheat, barley, oats, buck-wheat, and, in the south, maize. Though the soil is fertile, from careless husbandry the product of corn rarely exceeds the consumption; but, on the other hand, the crops of flax and hemp supply considerable materials for commerce. Some wood for fuel likewise occasions a little trade by the rivers. The principal manufacture is coarse cloth from the wool of the province, which is chiefly used for the clothing of the troops. Some linen is also made; and there are several tanneries, distilleries, and breweries.

The city of Woronesh is the capital of the province, as well as of the circle of its name. It stands on a rising ground near that part of the river Don into which the river Woronesh falls. It is without fortifications, contains the palace of the governor and of the bishop, eighteen churches all built of stone, an ecclesiastical seminary, two monasteries, 3000 houses, and 20,300 inhabitants, who carry on some trade with Siberia and Orenburg. Here Peter the Great founded a dock-yard for building vessels, but it has since been removed to Towrow. It is 790 miles from St Petersburg. Long. 40. 48. 30. E. Lat. 51. 40. 30. N.
WORSHIP of God (cultus Dei) amounts to the same with what we otherwise call religion. See Religion and Theology .
WORSTEAD, an ancient market-town in the county of Norfolk and hundred of Tunstead, only remarkable from having given its name to a kind of woollen thread. It has a small market on Saturday. The population amounted in 1821 to 706, and in 1831 to 830.
WORT, the infusion of malt, of which beer is made. See Brewing.
WORTHING, a town of the county of Sussex, fifty-nine miles from London, in the hundred of Brightford and rape of Bramber. It is in the parish of Broadwater, on the sea-shore, and within the last thirty years has been frequented for the purpose of sea-bathing. From a hamlet with a few fishing cottages, it has thus increased to an elegant and well-built town, containing churches and chapels, a market-house, and splendid hotels. The climate is mild, being defended from the north and east winds by the SouthDown Hills. The population amounted in 1821 to 3725, and in 1831 to 4576.
WOUNDS, in Surgery. See Surgery.
WOW, a fortified town of Hindustan, province of Gujerat, district of Neycr, of which it may be considered as the capital. It is the residence of 1000 Rajpoot families. Long. 71. 23. E. Lat. 24. 11. N.
WOWAMIA, a town of Hindustan, province of Gujerat, on the eastern shore of the Runn, where there is a ferry for conveying travellers to the district of Cutch. Long. 70. 47. E. Lat. 22. 50. N.
WREATH, in Heraldry, a roll of fine linen or silk (like that of a Turkish turban), consisting of the colours borne in the escutcheon, placed in an achievement between the helmet and the crest, and immediately supporting the crest.
WREN, Sir Christopher, one of the most learned, scientific, and eminent architects of his age, was the son of Dr Christopher Wren, dean of Windsor, and was born on the 20th of October 1632. He studied at Wadham College, Oxford; where he took the degree of A. M. in 1653, and was chosen fellow of All Souls College. When very young he discovered a surprising genius for the mathematics; in which science he made great advances before he was sixteen years old. In 1657, he was made professor of astronomy at Gresham College, London; but he resigned this office in 1660, on his being chosen to the Savilian professorship of astronomy in Oxford. He was next year created LL. D., and in 1663 was elected fellow of the Royal Society. He was one of the commissioners for the reparation of St Paul’s; and in 1665 travelled into France to examine the most beautiful edifices there, when he made many curious observations. At his return to England, he drew a noble plan for rebuilding the city of London after the fire. This plan he presented to parliament; and upon the decease of Sir John Denham in 1668, was made surveyorgeneral of his majesty’s works. From that time he had the direction of a great number of public edifices, by which he acquired the highest reputation. He built the magnificent theatre at Oxford, St Paul’s Cathedral, the churches of St Stephen Walbrook and St Mary-le-Bow; the Monument, the modern part of the palace of Hampton Court, Chelsea College, one of the wings of Greenwich Hospital, and many other beautiful edifices. He was president of the Royal Society, one of the commissioners of Chelsea College, and twice member of parliament, first for Plymouth in Devonshire, and then for Melcombe Regis in the same county. In 1718 he was removed from his place of surveyor-general. He died on the 2lst of February 1723, in the ninety-first year of his age, and was interred in the vault under St Paul’s. This eminent man also distinguished himself by many curious inventions and discoveries in natural philosophy; and, among many others, contrived an instrument for measuring the quantity of rain that falls on any space of land for a year. He devised various methods of rendering astronomical observations more accurate and easy; and was the first author of the anatomical experiment of injecting liquors into the veins of animals, &c. He translated into Latin Mr Oughtred’s Horologiographia Geometrica; and wrote a Survey of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury, and other pieces. After his death his posthumous Works and draughts were published by his son.
WRESTLING, a kind of combat or engagement between two persons unarmed, body to body, to prove their strength and dexterity, and try which can throw his opponent to the ground. Wrestling is an exercise of very great antiquity and fame. It was in use in the heroic age; witness Hercules, who wrestled with Antaeus. It continued a long time in the highest repute, and had considerable rewards and honours assigned to it at the Olympic games. It was the custom for the athletae to anoint their bodies with oil, to give the less hold to their antagonists.
WREXHAM, a market-town of the county of Denbigh, in North Wales, in the hundred of the same name, 188 miles from London and ten from Chester. It is finely situated on a rising ground, and has a church, in elegance and beauty surpassing many of the cathedrals of the kingdom, and richly adorned with images and curious carved work, and many handsome monuments. It has a neat town-hall, and a well-endowed free-school. What little trade there is consists in making flannels, but in the vicinity are considerable iron-works. It is a borough, and, conjointly with Denbigh, Holt, and Ruthin, returns one member to the House of Commons. There are markets on Monday and Thursday. The town consists of two parts, called Wrexham Abbot and Wrexham Regis, whose population amounted in 1821 to 4795, and in 1831 to 5484.
WRINGTON, a market-town of the county of Somerset, in the hundred of Brent and Wrington, 125 miles from London. It is chiefly noted as the birth-place of that great philosopher John Locke. It has a small market on Tuesday. The population amounted in 1821 to 1349, and in 1831 to 1540.
WRIT, in Law, signifies, in general, the king’s precept in writing under seal, issuing out of some court, directed to the sheriff or other officer, and commanding something to be done in relation to a suit or action, or giving commission to have the same done. And, according to Fitzherbert, a writ is said to be a formal letter of the king in parchment, sealed with his seal, and directed to some judge, officer, or minister, &c. at the suit of a subject, for the cause briefly expressed, which is to be determined in the proper court according to law.

Writs , in civil actions, are either original or judicial. Original are such as are issued out of the court of chancery for the summoning of a defendant to appear, and are granted before the suit is commenced, in order to begin the same; and judicial writs issue out of the court where the original is returned, after the suit is begun.
WUDWAN, a town of Hindustan, province of Gujerat, district of Chalawara. It is of considerable extent and population, and possesses a fort of considerable strength, almost new. It belongs to a rajpoot family noted for their skill and bravery in predatory wars. In 1805 it was besieged for two months without success by the Guicowar’s army. It carries on, by means of caravans, an extensive trade with the Gulf of Cambay. These caravans require an escort of twenty to thirty matchlock-men, to guard against the freebooters that infest the country.
WURDA, a river of Hindustan, province of Berar. It has its source in the Injardy Hills, two miles north of the Barooly Pass, in the province of Berar, whence it flows in a south-east direction, and after a course of about 200 miles falls into the Godavery.
WÜRZBURG, a large city of Bavaria, formerly the capital of the sequestrated ecclesiastical principality of that name, but now the chief place of a bailiwick to which it gives the name, in the Bavarian province of the Lower Maine. It still retains the name of a grand duchy, and comprehends an extent of nearly 2000 square miles, with a population of about 290,000 souls. The land is for the most part level, but is surrounded with woody mountains on three sides. It is watered by many small streams which fall into the Maine, and ultimately into the Rhine. The soil is fertile, yielding abundance of corn; but the vineyards occupy a great portion of the land very profitably. The best wines are produced near the capital, and are known by the names of Stein wine, or Leisten wine. The district is not rich in minerals, nor has it much manufacturing industry. The city is built on the river Maine, by which it is divided into two parts connected by a bridge. It is surrounded with walls and ditches; and it is defended by the citadel of Marienburg, built on a hill 400 feet high, which overlooks the city. Some of the streets are broad, and contain fine piles of building; but others are gloomy and narrow. The most distinguished edifice is the former episcopal, now royal residence, a building of vast extent, and of some beauty; and the grounds belonging to it are laid out and preserved in good taste. The university was founded after the model of that of Bologna, in 1403, and after suffering much in stormy times, was renewed in 1582; but since that period it has numbered among its professors some of the most eminent men of Germany. The library of the institution contains upwards of 100,000 volumes, and there are also collections of the different branches of natural history, and all scientific helps. Besides the cathcdral, Würzburg contains several churches and monasteries. The inhabitants are for the most part Catholics, and in 1834 amounted to 22,674. The chief trade is in wine, and some is carried on in timber. Long. 9. 49. 25. E. Lat. 49. 46. 6. N.
WYCOMBE, Chipping or High, a market-town of the county of Bucks and hundred of Desborough, twenty-nine miles from London. It is a well-built town, pleasantly situated on a brook which joins the Thames at Marlow, but near Wycombe turns the wheels of several paper-mills, and of others for grinding corn. It is incorporated under a mayor, four aldermen, and eleven councillors. A good market is held on Friday. The population amounted in 1821 to 5599, and in 1831 to 6299.
WYE, a town of the county of Kent, in the lathe of Scray and hundred of the same name, fifty-five miles from London. It stands on the river Stour, and had a market, which has of late years been discontinued. The population amounted in 1821 to 1508, and in 1831 to 1639.

Wye, a river of South Wales, which, issuing out of Plin-lymmon Hill, very near the source of the Severn, crosses the north-east corner of Radnorshire, giving name to the town of Rhyadergowy (Fall of the Wye), where it is precipitated in a cataract; then flowing between this county and Brecknockshire, it crosses Herefordshire, and dividing the counties of Gloucester and Monmouth, falls into the mouth [7:21:953]of the Severn below Chepstow. The romantic beauties of the Wye, which flows in a deep bed, between lofty rocks clothed with hanging woods, and here and there crowned by ruined castles, have employed the descriptive powers of the pen and pencil.

Wye is also the name of a river in Derbyshire, which rises in the north-west part, above Buxton; and, flowing south-east, falls into the Derwent below Bakewell.
WYMONDHAM, a market-town of the county of Norfolk, in the hundred of Forehoe, 100 miles from London, and nine from Norwich. It is pleasantly situated, and has a church formed out of the ruins of an old Benedictine convent. It has a market on Friday. The population of the whole parish, comprehending six divisions, amounted in 1821 to 4708, and in 1831 to 5484.
WYNAAD, a district of Hindustan, province of Malabar, situated between the 11th and 12th degrees of north latitude, and comprehending an area of 1250 square miles. It is mountainous, and overrun with wood. It is now included in the Malabar collectorship. Its immediate ruler is a Nair chieftain, now tributary to the British.
WYNDHAM, Sir WILLIAM, descended of an ancient family, was born about the year 1687, and succeeded young to the title and estate of his father. On his return from his travels, he was chosen member for the county of Somerset, in which station he served in the three last parliaments of Queen Anne, and as long as he lived. After the change of the ministry in 1710, he was appointed secretary at war; and in 1713 was raised to be chancellor of the exchequer. Upon the breach between the earl of Oxford and Lord Bolingbroke, he adhered to the interests of the latter. He was removed from his employment on the accession of George I., and falling under suspicion on the breaking out of the rebellion in 1715, was apprehended. He made his escape; a reward was published for apprehending him; he surrendered, was committed to the Tower, but never brought to a trial. After he regained his liberty, he continued in opposition to the several administrations under which he lived, and died in 1740.
WYRA Ghur, a town of Hindustan, province of Gundwanch, formerly tributary to the rajah of Nagpore. Long. 80. 56. E. Lat. 20. 31. N.
X, or x, is the twenty third letter of our alphabet, and a double consonant. It was not used by the Hebrews or ancient Greeks; for as it is a compound letter, the ancients, who used great simplicity in their writings, expressed this letter by its component letters c s . Neither have the Italians this letter, but express it by ss . X scarcely begins any word in our language but such as are of Greek origin; and is in few others but what are of Latin derivation, as perplex, reflexion, defluxion, &c. We often express this sound by single letters, as cks, in backs, necks; by ks, in books, breaks; by cc in access, accident; by ct, in action, unction, &c. The English and French pronounce it like cs or ks; the Spaniards like c before a, viz. Alexandro, as it were Alecandro. In numerals it expresses 10, whence in old Roman manuscripts it is used for denarius; and as such seems to be made of two V’s placed one over the other. When a dash is added over it, thus, x̄, it signifies 10,000.
XATIVA, a government of Spain, in the kingdom of Valencia, extending from the river Alcia to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is now more commonly called St Felipe, its ancient name having been changed by law since the expulsion of the Moors. The capital of the partido of the same name was founded by the Romans, and called by them Setabis. It is situated on the declivity of a calcareous mountain, overlooking a plain not very fruitful, though watered by the river Albayda, one of the tributary streams of the Xucar. The city is surrounded with ancient walls, partly of Roman and partly of Moorish construction, on which are thirty towers. It has also double ditches, and a strong citadel; but all have alike fallen into decay. It is supplied with water by two ancient aqueducts. Before the recent changes, this city contained four parish churches, thirteen monasteries, nine chapels, and eight poor-houses or hospitals. The inhabitants are estimated at 14,000 souls, some of whom are employed in making linen and silk goods, and some writing paper. Near to it are twenty-two warm medicinal springs of various curative power. This place gave birth to a celebrated painter named Ribero, but better known by the assumed name of Spannoletto.
XEBEC or Zebec, a small three-masted vessel, navigated in the Mediterranean Sea, and on the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and Barbary. See Ship-Building.
XENOCRATES, a celebrated ancient Grecian philosopher, was born at Chalcedon in the ninety-fifth Olympiad. At first he attached himself to Aeschines, but afterwards became a disciple of Plato, who took much pains in cultivating his genius, which was naturally heavy. His temper was gloomy, his aspect severe, and his manners little tinctured with urbanity. These material defects his master took great pains to correct, frequently advising him to sacrifice to the Graces; and the pupil was patient of instruction, and knew how to value the kindness of his preceptor. As long as Plato lived, Xenocrates was one of his most esteemed disciples; after his death he closely adhered to his doctrine; and in the second year of the 110th Olympiad, he took the chair in the academy, as the successor of Speusippus. Xenocrates was celebrated among the Athenians, not only for his wisdom, but likewise for his virtues. So eminent was his reputation for integrity, that when he was called upon to give evidence in a judicial transaction, in which an oath was usually required, the judges unanimously agreed that his simple asseveration should be taken, as a public testimony to his merit. Even Philip of Macedon found it impossible to corrupt him. So abstemious was he with respect to food, that his provision was frequently spoiled before it was consumed. His chastity was invincible. Phryne, a celebrated Athenian courtezan, attempted without success to seduce him. Of his humanity the following pathetic incident is a sufficient proof. A sparrow, which was pursued by a hawk, flew into his bosom; he afforded it protection till its enemy was out of sight, and then let it go, saying that he would never betray a suppliant. He was fond of retirement, and was seldom seen in the city. He was discreet in the use of his time, and carefully allotted a certain portion of each day to its proper business. One of these he employed in silent meditation. He was an admirer of the mathematical sciences; and was so fully convinced of their utility, that when a young man, who was unacquainted with geometry and astronomy, desired admission into the academy, he refused his request, saying that he was not yet possessed of the handles of philosophy. In fine, Xenocrates was eminent both for the purity of his [7:21:954]morals and for his acquaintance with science, and supported the credit of the Platonic school by his lectures, his writings, and his conduct. He lived to the first year of the 116th Olympiad, or the eighty-second of his age, when he lost his life by accidentally falling, in the dark, into a reservoir of water.
XENOPHANES, the founder of the Eleaic sect of philosophy among the Greeks, was born at Colophon, probably about the sixty-fifth Olympiad. From some cause or other he left his country early, and took refuge in Sicily, where he supported himself by reciting, in the court of Hiero, elegiac and iambic verses, which he had written in reprehension of the theogonies of Hesiod and Homer. From Sicily he passed over into Magna Graecia, where he took up the profession of philosophy, and became a celebrated preceptor in the Pythagorean school. Indulging, however, a greater freedom of thought than was usual among the disciples of Pythagoras, he ventured to introduce new opinions of his own, and in many particulars to oppose the doctrines of Epimenides, Thales, and Pythagoras. Xenophanes possessed the Pythagorean chair of philosophy about seventy years, and lived to the extreme age of 100 years, that is, according to Eusebius, till the eighty-first Olympiad. The doctrine of Xenophanes concerning nature is so imperfectly preserved, and obscurely expressed, that it is no wonder that it has been differently represented by different writers. Perhaps the truth is, that he held the universe to be one in nature and substance, but distinguished in his conception between the matter of which all things consist, and that latent divine force which, though not a distinct substance, but an attribute, is necessarily inherent in the universe, and is the cause of all its perfection.
XICOCO, or Sikokf, an island, the smallest of the three that compose the empire of Japan. In length it is 100 miles, and sixty in breadth. It is only separated by narrow straits from the island of Niphon on the one side, and Ximo on the other. This island is almost entirely unknown to Europeans, as they are rigorously prohibited from all intercourse with the Japanese empire.