pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
NEFASTI DIES, in Roman antiquity, an appellation given to those days in which it was not allowed to admi∙, nister justice, or to hold courts. They were so called because non fari licebat, the praetor was not allowed to pronounce the three solemn words or formulas of the law, do, dico addico I give, I appoint, I adjudge. These days were distinguished in the calendar by the letter N. for nefasti ; or N. P. nefastus primo, when the day was only nefastus in the forenoon, or first part. The days of a mixed kind were called intercisi.
NEGADA, more properly Anegada, the most northern of the cluster of islands known by the name of the Virgin Islands, in the West Indies, and unhappily celebrated for the number of shipwrecks, in many cases accompanied with a heavy loss of life, which it has occasioned. It was first permanently settled by individuals who hoped to reap considerable advantages by collecting the spoil of the vessels wrecked on its inhospitable shores. They found that the loose ground which covered it was capable of bearing provision crops, and even cotton; whilst the rearing of stock, and the sale of the underwood, which was progressively cleared away, and, being very full of gum, had a preference in the market of St Thomas, furnished a further resource. The great object, however, always has been the wreck of vessels; and the indolence of the inhabitants is only thoroughly roused by the cry of “a vessel on the reefs.” The moment this is raised, all becomes activity and bustle. Boats and small craft of every description push off towards the scene of destruction, and both skill and intrepidity are exercised to the uttermost to get first on board. The surface of Anegada is the production of the tribe of lithophytae, based, it is presumed, on a submarine elevation. The appearance of the island when approached is remarkable. First, single trees show themselves on the horizon; then the most elevated part of the island, called Frank’s Landing, which may be descried eight miles off in clear weather; and, last of all, the lower land. Its greatest length is 10∙07 English miles, and its greatest breadth, which is about the middle, 4∙25 English miles; but it afterwards diminishes towards both extremities. The reef by which it is surrounded approaches nearest on the north side of the island, where at one point it unites with the shore. Generally speaking, the distance of the reef from the island is inconsiderable on the northern, west [7:16:77]ern, and partly on the southern side. To the eye Anegada appears a dead flat, with only a turpentine or loblolly tree overlooking the underwood. However, the ground rises gradually from north to south, about sixty feet. There is some rather productive soil on the island, and a great number of ponds, which, in long-continued dry weather, produce considerable quantities of salt. There is abundance of fresh water; and the surrounding sea abounds with good fish, as do also the ponds. There are some rare specimens of plants in Anegada. The feathered tribes are very numerous; and there is an abundance of domestic animals. The population of Anegada consists at present of eleven white and twenty-one coloured and black families.
NEGAPATAM, a considerable seaport in the south of India, and province of Tanjore. It is well fortified, and has a regular citadel of a pentagonal form, with wet ditches. It has no considerable trade; but is frequently touched at by ships for refreshments, which are plentiful. The town lies at the north side of the citadel, near which is the mouth of a small river, capable of receiving vessels which draw little water. At the mouth of the river there is a bar, over which the surf breaks with great violence in bad weather, and renders the entrance dangerous. The anchoring place is about three miles from the shore, opposite the town, where there is very little current; and to the south-east of the town, at the distance of five miles, there is a shoal above five miles in length, having from three to six fathoms water on it. It was originally a small village, but was fortified and improved by the Portuguese. In 1660, it was taken from them by the Dutch, who strengthened its fortifications, and made it the capital of their settlements on the Coromandel coast, where they established a mint. Under their rule it enjoyed a long period of tranquillity; its trade increased, and it became a very flourishing city. In 1781 it was besieged and taken by the British with about 4000 troops, and was finally ceded to them at the peace of 1783; since which period the fortifications have been neglected, and the trade has been transferred to other places. Long. 79. 55. E. Lat. 10. 43. N.
NEGATION, in Logic, is an act of the mind affirming one thing to be different from another; as that the soul is not matter. See Logic.
NEGINOTH. This term is found before some of the Psalms, as Psalm lxvii. It signifies stringed instruments of music, to be played on by the fingers, or female musicians; and the titles of those Psalms where this word is found may be thus translated: “A psalm of David to the master of music, who presides over the stringed instruments.”
NEGOMBO, a large and populous village in the island of Ceylon, advantageously situated for carrying on the inland trade, particularly with Colombo, by a branch of the Mullivaddy River. It has a fort, erected by the Dutch, for the protection of the cinnamon cutters, which still remains; and there are, besides, three long ranges of buildings which serve for barracks and storehouses. The neighbouring county produces in abundance cinnamon and rice, and the gardens are well stocked with vegetables. This place was taken without opposition by the British in 1796. Long. 79. 49. E. Lat. 7. 19. N.
NEGRAIS Isle, a small island situated at the western mouth of the Irrawaddy River, in the kingdom of Ava. It has an excellent harbour, without exception the most secure in the Bay of Bengal, as a ship launches at once into the open sea, and may work to the southward without any other impediment except what the monsoon opposes. Cape Negrais, the south-westernmost extremity of India beyond [7:16:78]the Ganges, is in long. 93. 15. E. and in lat. 16. N., and is known by a temple of Buddha erected on it. This island was occupied by the British in 1697, and it was supposed that it would entirely command the trade of Pegu, and form a secure harbour for the British ships during the monsoons. But these hopes proved fallacious, and the settlement was withdrawn. In the year 1757 the island was ceded to the British by Alompra, the Burman emperor, and the place was formally taken possession of in 1757. In 1759 some disputes having arisen between the Burman governor and the English resident, the place was suddenly attacked in the month of October, and all the British who could not effect their escape were suddenly put to death. Since this period the Burmans have been excessively jealous of any visits from Europeans, and will not permit any •ships to pass up the Bassein branch of the river.
NEGROLAND. See Nigritia.
NEGROPONT, an island in the Mediterranean, the ancient Euboea, extending in north latitude from 37. 56. to 39. 8., and in east longitude from 22. 4L to 24. 33. It is connected with the mainland by a very long bridge, and is a mountainous country, inhabited by sixty thousand persons, two thirds of whom are Greeks. The capital is a city of the same name, being the ancient Chaicis, and is estimated to contain sixteen thousand inhabitants, most of whom are Turks. It is situated in long. 23. 34. E. and lal. 38. 31. N.
NEGROS, one of the Philippine Islands, in the Eastern Seas, situated due north of Luzon or Laconia, about the 123d degree of east longitude. It is about 145 miles in length by twenty-five in average breadth, and is fruitful in rice, for which the inhabitants pay tribute. The island was so named by the Spaniards, from the Papuan or oriental negroes, its original inhabitants, who still inhabit the mountains, being in a state of savage independence, and continually at war with each other. Long. 122. 30. E. Lat. 10.10. Ñ.
NEHAVEND, or Nehanud, a town of Persia, in the province of Irak, sixty miles south of Hamadan. It is celebrated for a battle fought there between the Saracens and Persians in the year 638, when the Sassanian dynasty was overthrown, and the Saracens established themselves on the throne of Persia.
NEIDERSELTERS, a town of the bailiwick of Idstein, in the duchy of Nassau, in Germany, celebrated for the mineral spring which yields the water known through Europe by the name of Seltzer water. Besides what is used on the spot, more than two millions and a half of jugs of it are despatched to different countries, and produce a clear revenue of L.5000. The town is situated in a picturesque country, and contains about 900 resident inhabitants, but receives a great deal of company during the summer season.
NEISSE, a city, the capital of a district of the same name, in Prussian Silesia. It stands at the junction of the river Bicle with the Neisse, in a marshy situation, though at the height of 580 feet above the level of the sea. It is strongly fortified, especially with effective ditches, and contains an Episcopal palace, seven Catholic and two Lutheran churches. There is a Catholic college, with about 300 students, besides a large endowed grammar school. It contains 9440 inhabitants, amongst whom are extensive manufacturers of linen goods; besides which, hosiery, hats, brandy, and other articles, are manufactured. Lono 17 14. E. Lat. 51. 25. N.
NEITRA, a circle of the province of the Lower Danube, in the Austrian kingdom of Hungary.* It extends over 2662 square miles, and contains a population of 348,500 persons, chiefly of the Sclavonian race; and it comprises two cities, thirty-eight market towns, and 462 villages and hamlets. The capital is a city of the same name, the seat of a bishop, containing 500 houses and 3958 inhabitants, whose chief trade is in wine. Long. 17. 58. 56. E. Lat. 48. 19. 10. N.
NEJIN, a city of Russia, in the province of Tchernigow, in what was formerly distinguished as Little Russia. It stands on the river Oster. The streets are intermixed with large gardens, filled with fruit trees of various kinds. It contains 1000 houses, two convents, and sixteen churches, all built after the model of those in Moscow, and is reckoned the handsomest town to the south of that capital. The inhabitants are about 12,000, composed, besides Russians and Kossacks, of many Greek and Armenian families. The most distinguished building is the Gymnasium Bezborodko, founded by the count of that name. It is a large edifice, adorned by a colonnade of twelve Ionic pillars, and, being surrounded by high trees, it has a truly noble appearance. It was instituted for the education of young noblemen.
NEMESIANUS, Aurelius Olympius, a Latin poet who was born at Carthage, and flourished about the year 281 of our era, under the Emperor Carus, and his sons Carinus and Numerian, the last of whom was so fond of poetry that he contested the glory with Nemesianus, who had written a poem upon fishing and maritime affairs. We have still remaining a poem of this author called Cynege-tico, and four eclogues, which were published by Paulus Manutius in 1538, by Barthelet in 1613, and at Leyden in 1653, with the notes of Janus Vlitias. Giraldi has preserved a fragment of Nemesianus, which was communicated to him by Sannazarius, to whom we are indebted for this poet’s works, which, having been found written in Gothic characters, he caused to be converted into the Roman, and then sent to Paulus Manutius. Although this poem has acquired some reputation, it is greatly inferior to those of Oppian and Gratian upon the same subject; yet the style of Nemesianus is natural enough, and has even some degree of elegance. The world was so much possessed with an opinion of his poem in the eighth century, that it was read amongst the classics in the public schools; particularly in the time of Charlemagne, as appears from a letter of the celebrated Hinemar, bishop of Rheims, to his nephew Hinemar of Laon.
NEMESIS, in pagan worship, the daughter of Jupiter and Necessity, or, according to others, of Oceanus and [7:16:93]Nox, and who had the care of revenging the crimes which human justice left unpunished. She was also called Ad-rastaea, because Adrastus king of Argos was the first who raised to her an altar; and Rhamnusia, from her having a magnificent temple at Rhamnus in Attica. She had likewise a temple in the Capitol at Rome. Nemesis is represented with a stern countenance, holding a whip in one hand and a pair of scales in the other.
NEMESIUS, a Greek philosopher who embraced Christianity, and was made bishop of Emesa, in Phoenicia, his birthplace. He flourished in the beginning of the fifth century. There is a work of his extant, entitled De Natura Hominis, in which he refutes the fatality of the Stoics, as well as the errors of the Manicheans, the Apolinarists, and the Eunomians; but he espouses the opinion of Origen concerning the pre-existence of souls. This treatise was translated by Valla, and printed in the year 1535. Another version of it was afterwards made by Ellebodius, and printed in 1665; it is also inserted in the Bibliotheca Patrum, in Greek and in Latin. Lastly, an edition was published at Oxford in 1671, folio, with a learned preface, in which the editor endeavours to prove, from a passage in this book, that the circulation of the blood was known to Nemesius; an opinion, however, which has since been shown to be a mistake. (See Freind’s History of Physic.)
NEMOURS, a town of France, in the department of the Seine and Marne, being situated on the river Loing, eleven miles south from Fontainbleau. It was erected into a duchy in the fourteenth century, and has been in the house of Orleans since the time of Louis XIV. It has a considerable trade in corn, wine, and other articles. The population in 1837 amounted to 3839. Long. 2. 41. E. Lat. 48.15. N.
NENAGH, a market-town of Ireland, in the county of Tipperary and province of Munster, ninety-five miles south-west from Dublin. It is situated upon the Nenagh River, a little to the southward of its union with the Shannon, before it reaches Lough Derg. The town enjoys a good general country trade, but has no manufactures properly so called. Here are the ruins of an ancient castle, called Nenagh Round; also those of an hospital founded in the year 1200, for canons following the rule of St Augustin. There are four fairs held here in the course of the year. The population of the town amounts to 6335.
NENIA, or Naenia, in ancient Latin poetry, a kind of funeral song sung to the music of flutes at the obsequies of the dead. Authors represent the naenia as sorry compositions, sung by hired female mourners, called praeficae. The first rise of these naenia are ascribed to the physicians. In the heathen antiquity, the goddess of tears and funerals was called Nenia, whom some suppose to have given that name to the funeral song, and others to have taken her name from it.
NEOMENIA, or Noumenia, a festival of the ancient Greeks, celebrated at the beginning of every lunar month. As the name imports, it was observed upon the day of the new moon, in honour of all the gods, but especially Apollo, who was called Neomenios, because the sun is the fountain of light; and whatever distinction of times and seasons may be made on account of other planets, yet they are all owing to him as the original of those borrowed rays by which they shine. The games and public entertainments at these festivals were provided by the rich, to whose tables the poor flocked in great numbers. The Athenians at these times offered solemn prayers and sacrifices for the prosperity of their country during the ensuing month.

The Jews had also their neomenia, or feast of the new moon, on which peculiar sacrifices were appointed; on this day also they had a sort of family entertainment and rejoicing. But the most celebrated neomenia was that at the beginning of the civil year, or first day of the month Tisri, on which no servile labour was performed; and the people then offered particular burnt sacrifices, sounding the trumpets of the temple. The modern Jews keep the neomenia only as a feast of devotion, which any one may observe or not as he pleases.
NEOPHYTES, or new plants, a name given by the ancient Christians to those heathens who had newly embraced the faith, such persons being considered as regenerated, or born anew by baptism. The term neophytes has also been used for new priests, or those just admitted into orders; and sometimes for the novices in monasteries or convents. It is still applied to the converts made by the missionaries amongst the infidels.
NEOTS, St, a market-town of the county of Huntingdon, in the hundred of Toesland, fifty-six miles from London. It stands on the navigable river Ouse, over which there is a fine stone bridge. It is a well-built place, with a large market-place, and has a handsome church, with an elegant and lofty spire. It has a good market, which is held on Thursday. The population amounted in 1801 to 1752, in 1811 to 1998, in 1821 to 2272,* and in 1831 to 2617.

Neots, St, a town of the county of Cornwall, in the hundred of West, distant 226 miles from London. It is said to have been built by a relation of King Allred, who died here in 899, and was buried at the place of the same name in Huntingdonshire. The population amounted in 1801 to 906, in 1811 to 1041, in 1821 to 1255, and in 1831 to 1424.
NEPEAN Island, in the South Pacific Ocean, is about a quarter of a mile distant from Norfolk Island. The communication, however, is rendered difficult by the mountainous sea which runs between the two islands, and which, during the short period they have been occupied by British settlers, has occasioned numerous fatal accidents. It is uninhabited, and is employed as a place of transportation for refractory convicts, where they are employed in boiling salt.
NEPEAN Point, a rocky promontory on the north coast of New Holland, and’ the eastern point of entrance into Port Philip. Long. 144. 38. E. Lat. 38. 18. S.
NEPOMUK, a town of the Austrian kingdom of Bohemia, in the circle of Klattau, adjoining to which are some extensive iron-works and mines, on the hill called the Gruneburg, belonging to Prince Colloredo. It is a place highly venerated, from having given birth to John Nepomuk, in the year 1320. That person is reported to have been confessor to the queen, whose chastity was suspected by her spouse. He demanded of the confessor the revelation of what had passed in the confession; but Nepomuk refused to disclose it. For this he was bound hand and foot; and still refusing to discover the secrets, was in that condition thrown into the Moldau and drowned. He was afterwards, for this conduct, canonized by the pope, and included in the catalogue of martyrs. He thus became the tutelar saint of the Bohemian Catholics.
NEPTUNE, in pagan worship, the god of the sea, was the son of Saturn and Vesta or Ops, and the brother of Jupiter and Pluto. He assisted Jupiter in his expeditions, for which reason that god, when he attained the supreme power, assigned to him the sea and the islands as his empire. He was, however, expelled from heaven along with Apollo, for conspiring against Jupiter; and after this event both were employed by Laomedon, king of Phrygia, in building the walls of Troy; but that prince having dismissed Neptune without a reward, the latter in revenge sent a sea-monster to lay waste the country. He is said to have been the original inventor of horsemanship and chariot racing, on which account Mithridates king of Pontus threw chariots drawn by four horses into the sea in honour of this god, and the Romans had horse-races in the circus during his festival, when all other horses left working, and the mules were adorned with wreaths of flowers. In a contest with Mi [7:16:102]nerva he produced a horse by striking the earth with his trident; and on another occasion, in a trial of skill with Minerva and Vulcan, he produced a bull, for which reason that animal was sacrificed to him. His favourite wife was Amphytrite, whom he long courted in vain, till sending a dolphin to intercede for him, he met with success, and the dolphin was rewarded by being placed amongst the stars. Besides Amphytrite, he had two other wives; One of whom was called Salasia, from the salt water, and the other Venilia, from the ebbing and flowing of the tides. He had likewise many concubines, by whom he had a great number of children. He is represented with black hair, and a garment of an azure or sea-green, holding his trident in his hand, seated in a large shell drawn by sea-horses, and attended by the sea-gods Palemon, Glaucus, and Phorcys, and the goddesses Thetis, Melita, and Panopaea, with a long train of tritons and sea-nymphs. This deity was known in Egypt by the name of Canobus or Canopus, and was worshipped as the numen aquarum, or spirit of the Nile.
NEPTUNE’S Isles, a cluster of low islands situated on the south coast of New Holland, at the entrance into Spencer’s Gulf.
NERAC, an arrondissement of the department of the Lot and Garonne, in France, 443 square miles in extent. It contains seven cantons, divided into ninety-two communes, and inhabited by 57,500 persons. The capital is the city of the same name, situated on a fruitful plain, through which the river Blaise runs. In a castle now in ruins the kings of Navarre held their court, and Henry IV. of France passed his youth in it. It contains 860 houses, with 5850 inhabitants, who make cotton goods, druggets, and serges, leather and glass, and domestic articles of copper,ware; and carry on considerable trade in corn, wine, and other productions of the soil. Long. 0. 13. E. Lat. 44. 10. N.
NERBUDDAH, a large river of Hindustan, in the province of Gundwana, which, after a course of 750 miles, falls into the Gulf of Cambay. This river has its source at Omercuntuc, in the above province, close to that of. the Soane. The Mahanuddy has also its source in the same mountain. A Hindu temple is found in the centre of the table-land at Omercuntuc; and here the Nerbuddah rises from a small well, and flows along in a smooth stream, until it is precipitated into the Mundlah. This is described as a great fall by the natives; and the river at the foot of the table-land expands into a wide surface, and, being joined by other streams, assumes the appearance of a large river. From this point its course is due west, with the straightest course of any river perhaps in the world. It passes through Gundwana, Khandesh, Mulwah, and Gujerat, and, after passing the city of Broach, falls into the Gulf of Cambay, and is navigable for boats to a considerable distance. This river was in former times the boundary between Hindustan Proper and the Deccan or southern peninsula. It is sometimes called the Reva.
NEREIDS, in the pagan theology, sea-nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Dorus. The Nereids were esteemed very handsome, insomuch that Cassiope, the wife of Cepheus, king of Ethiopia, having triumphed over all the beauties of the age, and dared to vie with the Nereids, they were so enraged that they sent a prodigious sea-monster into the country; and, to appease them, Cassiope was commanded by the oracle to expose her daughter Andromeda, bound to a rock, to be devoured by the monster. In' ancient monuments, the Nereids are represented as riding upon sea-horses; sometimes with an entire human form, and at other times with the tail of a fish.
NEREUS, in fabulous history, a marine deity, was son of Oceanus and Thetis. He settled in the Aegean Sea, was considered as a prophet, had the power of assuming whatever form he pleased, and married his sister Doris, by whom he had fifty daughters called the Nereids, who constantly attended on Neptune, and when he went abroad surrounded his chariot.