pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
RHYTHMOMETER, from ρuHμλς, and /A<rpov, an instrument contrived to measure equal portions of sounds in musical performance, and to mark the time, at longer or shorter intervals, according to adjustment of the mechanism. Mael-zel’s metronome is the instrument of this kind most generally in use, although one more simple and less costly might easily be made. Diderot, in the fourth memoir of his mathematical works, suggested a musical chronometer, but added, “Le seul bon chronomètre que l’on puisse avoir, c’est un habile musicien qui ait du goût, qui ait bien lui la musique qu’il doit faire exécuter, et qui sache en battre la mesure.” The chief utility of a rhythmometer consists in the power of fixing the duration of time which a composer wishes to give to the equalized portions of his composition, as indicated by the vibrations of a pendulum, and as marked by relative numerals affixed to characters of musical notation. Almost all pieces of music of classical importance are now printed with indications of the metronome measures of time; and this is a great improvement, inasmuch as before the present century we had nothing but tradition, and often no tradition at all, to guide us in the comparative slowness or quickness with which the notes of a musical composition were to be performed.
RIAO, an island in the Eastern Seas, about twenty-five miles in circumference, near the west coast of Morty. Long. 128. 2. E. Lat. 2. 25. N.
RIASAN, a government of Russia, so called from the ancient city of that name. It extends in north latitude from 53. 1. to 55. 4L, and in east longitude from 38. 10. to 4L 14., and is 13,486 square miles. It contains twelve cities or towns, and 833 parishes or communes, with 1,250,000 inhabitants, a very great proportion of whom are in a state of vassalage. The district is an extensive plain watered by the rivers Don, Oka, Osetr, and Prona, and near to them it is highly fertile. In the other parts the soil is as productive as can well be expected in a climate so severe. The land is best in the southern division of the province, but the whole yields more corn than is required for domestic consumption. A surplus for exportation is produced of grain, and brandy made from it, of salted meat, of leather, wax, honey, and hops. The forests afford a large supply of timber. The manufactures are confined to clothing, chiefly linen, and to iron implements. The exports proceed through the Oka to the river Wolga. The capital is the city of the same name on the river Trubusch, and is the seat of a bishop. It contains twenty churches, an ecclesiastical seminary, and one for the higher classes, with 760 dwellings, and 5000 inhabitants, chiefly employed in making linens. It is 617 miles from Petersburg. Long. 39.4.58. E. Lat. 54.58.6. N.
RIBAUVILLER, a city of the department of the Upper Rhine, and arrondissement of Colmar, in France. It is situated at the foot of the Vosges Mountains, on the river Stambach. In 1836, it contained 6558 inhabitants, who were employed in cultivating the vine, and in carrying on extensive cotton manufactures.
RIBERA, a town of the intendency of Girgenti, and the district of Mazzara, in the island of Sicily. It stands on an unhealthy plain on the sea-shore, near the river Ca-latabellota, sixty miles from Palermo, and contains 4800 industrious inhabitants.
RIBERAC, an arrondissement of the department of the Dordogne, in France, 557 square miles in extent. It comprises seven cantons, and eighty-three communes, and in 1836 contained 71,457 inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name, in a fertile vale on the left bank of the river Dronne. It is ill built, and in 1836 contained 3775 inhabitants, with but little commerce.
RICAUT or Rycaut, Sir Paul, an eminent English traveller, of the time of whose birth we find no account; but in 1661 he was appointed secretary to the Earl of Win-chelsea, who was sent ambassador extraordinary to Turkey. During his continuance in that station he wrote “The Present State of the Ottoman Empire, in three books, containing the maxims of the Turkish policy, their religion, and military discipline,” London, 1670; and he afterwards resided eleven years as consul at Smyrna, where, at the command of Charles II., he composed “The Present State of the Greek and Arminian Churches, anno Christi 1678.” On his return, Lord Clarendon being appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland, made him his principal secretary for Leinster and Connaught. King James II. knighted him, and made him one of the privy council in Ireland, and judge of the court of admiralty. These appointments he held till the Revolution. He was employed by King William as resident at the Hanse Towns, in Lower Saxony, where he continued for ten years; but being worn out with age and infirmities, he obtained leave to return in 1700, and died the same year. Ricaut continued Knolles’s History of the Turks, and Platina’s Lives of the Popes; besides which there are some other productions which bear his name.
RICHELET, Caesar Peter, a French writer, born in 1631, at Chemin in Champagne, was the friend of Patru and Albancourt; and like them applied himself to the study of the French language with success. He compiled a dictionary of that language, full of new and useful remarks; but exceptionable, as containing many satirical reflections and obscenities. The best edition is that of Lyon, 1728, three volumes folio. He also collected a small dictionary of rhymes, and composed some other pieces in the grammatical and critical department. He died in 1698.
RICHES, a word used always in the plural number, means wealth, money, possession, or a splendid sumptuous appearance. When used to express the fortune of private persons, whether patrimonial or acquired, it signifies opulence; a term which expresses not the enjoyment, but the possession, of numerous superfluities. By the riches of a state or kingdom we mean the produce of industry, of commerce, of different incorporated bodies, of the internal and external administration of the principal members of which the society is composed.
RICKMANSWORTH, a market-town of the county of Hertford. It is in the hundred of Cashio, seventeen miles from London, and stands at the spot where the river Gade falls into the Colne, which latter forms a part of the Grand Junction Canal. It is also near the course of the railway by which London is connected with Birmingham, and is thus highly favoured with respect to the facilities of communication. The church is a fine large fabric of an ancient date. The town has some trade in straw-hats and in [7:19:239]making thread-lace. There are several mills in the neigh-bourħood occupied in making cotton and silk goods, and many in making paper. It has a weekly market on Saturday, though now but little attended. The population amounted in 1801 to 2073, in 1811 to 3230, in 1821 to 3940, and in 1831 to 4574.
RIDEAU, in Fortification, a small elevation of earth, extending itself lengthwise on a plain, serving to cover a camp or give an advantage in a post.

Rideau is sometimes also used for a trench, the earth of which is thrown up on its side, to serve as a parapet for covering the men.
RIDING,. See Horsemanship.

Riding, in naval affairs, is the state of a ship’s being retained in a particular station, by means of one or more cables with their anchors, which are for this purpose sunk into the bottom of the sea, &c. in order to prevent the vessel from being driven at the mercy of the wind or current. A rope is said to ride, when one of the turns by which it is wound about the capstern or windlass lies over another, so as to interrupt the operation of heaving.

Riding Athwart, the position of a ship which lies across the direction of the wind and tide, when the former is so strong as to prevent her from falling into the current of the latter.

Riding between the Wind and Tide, the situation of a vessel at anchor, when the wind and tide act upon her in direct opposition, in such a manner as to destroy the effort of each other upon her hull; so that she is in a manner balanced between their reciprocal force, and rides without the least strain on her cables. When a ship does not labour heavily, or feel a great strain when anchored in an open road or bay, she is said to ride easy. On the contrary, when she pitches violently into the sea, so as to strain her cables, masts, or hull, it is called riding hard, and the vessel is termed a bad roader.
RIESENGEBIRGE, a range of mountains in the dominions of Prussia, and in part of Austria, which commences on the northward on the borders of Lusatia, and separates Bohemia from Silesia and Moravia, till it terminates by forming a junction with the Carpathian range to the southward. The loftiest part of the range is that which lies between the sources of the rivers Neisse and Bober. The general height does not much exceed 3000 feet, but several of the peaks attain a much greater elevation. Of these the most remarkable are two; the Schneeberg, which is 5300 feet, and the Sturmhaube, which is 5100 feet in height. The summit of the former commands a prospect of more than sixty miles round, including the city of Breslau to the north, and of Prague to the south. The intersecting valleys are many of them picturesque and mostly fertile; but the higher parts are unfavourable to the growth of corn, from the scarcity of which the inhabitants in most winters suffer severely.
RIETI, one of the delegations or provinces into which the papal dominions are divided. It is a wild and moun[7:19:242]tainous district, containing two cities, sixteen market-towns, with many villages and hamlets, and 65,750 inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name situated on the river Belino, near its junction with the Turano. It contains ten parish churches, five monasteries, seven nunneries, and 9270 inhabitants, who subsist chiefly by the trade in silk, and by tanning and currying leather. Long. 12. 46. 50. E. Lat. 42. 24. 25. N.
RIGA, a city of the province of Livonia, a part of the Russian empire in Europe. It is the capital of a circle of the same name as well as of the province. The circle extends over 4180 square miles, and contains, in two cities, one market-town, and thirty-nine parishes, about 150,000 inhabitants. The city of Riga, called in the language of Esthonia Riolin, and in that of Livonia Righo, is situated on the right bank of the river Duna or Dwina, about seven miles from its entrance into the Baltic. As a barrier on the western frontier of Russia, it is strongly fortified, both on the land and the sea side. It is composed of large old houses, and of narrow crooked streets ill paved. The principal public buildings are the palace of the governor, the barracks, and the town-hall, used now as the exchange. It contains 1240 private dwellings, with about 30,000 inhabitants, exclusive of the garrison. The people are mostly of the German race, and their language is far more common than that of Russia or of Livonia. The Germans have four Lutheran and one reformed church; and there are three Greek churches for the Russians and the troops. The city formerly was one of the Hanse Towns, and has now considerable export trade in the raw materials which are produced in the extended districts through which the river passes. At some seasons England draws much corn from this place. It has some considerable establishments for making leather, sail-cloth, linen, and some iron, steel, and other metallic articles. It imports large quantities of fruit, beer, wine, salt, sugar, tea, coffee, spices, and manufactured clothing. It has several institutions for education, and many for the relief of poverty, age, and sickness. Long. 23. 57. 10. E. Lat. 56. 56. 32. N.
RIGADOON, a gay and brisk dance, borrowed originally from Provence in France, and performed in figure by a man and a woman.
RIGGING, of a Ship, a general name given to all the ropes employed to support the masts, and to extend or reduce the sails, or arrange them to the disposition of the wind. The former, which are used to sustain the masts, remain usually in a fixed position, and are called standing rigging; such are the shrouds, stays, and backstays. The latter, whose office is to manage the sails, by communicating with various blocks or pulleys situated in different parts of the masts, yards, shrouds, &c. are comprehended in the general term of running rigging. Such are the braces, sheets, haliards, clue-lines, and brails.
RIGHT, in Geometry, signifies the same with straight; thus, a straight line is called a right one.

Right is a title conferred, 1. together with Reverend, upon all bishops; 2. together with Honourable, upon earls, viscounts, and barons; 3. by courtesy, together with Honourable, upon the sons of dukes, marquises, and the eldest sons of earls; 4. together with Honourable, upon the speaker of the House of Commons, but upon no other commoner excepting those who are members of her majesty’s most honourable privy council, and the three lords mayors of London, York, and Dublin, and the lord provost of Edinburgh, during their office.
RIGOLL or Regals, a kind of musical instrument, consisting of several sticks bound together, only separated by beads. It is tolerably harmonious, being well struck with a ball at the end of a stick. Such is the account which Grassineau gives of this instrument. Skinner, upon the authority of an old English dictionary, represents it as a clavichord, or claricod; possibly founding his opinion on the nature of the office of the tuner of the regals, who still subsists in the establishment of the king’s chapel at St James’s, and whose business is to keep the organ of the chapel-royal in tune; and not knowing that such wind-instruments as the organ need frequent tuning, as well as the clavichord and other stringed instruments. Sir Henry Spelman derives the word rigoll from the Italian rigobello, a musical instrument, anciently used in churches instead of the organ. Walther, in his description of the regal, makes it to be a reed-work in an organ, with metal and also wooden pipes and bellows adapted to it. And he adds, that tile name of it is supposed to be owing to its having been presented by the inventor to some king. From an account of the regal used in Germany and other parts of Europe, it appears to consist of pipes and keys on one side, and the bellows and wind-chest on the other. We may add, that Lord Bacon, Nat. Hist. cent. ii. 102, distinguishes between the regal and organ, in a manner which shows them to be instruments of the same class. Upon the whole, there is reason to conclude, that the regal or rigoll was a pneu[7:19:244]matic, and not a stringed instrument. Mersenne relates, that the Flemings invented an instrument, les regales de bois, consisting of seventeen cylindrical pieces of wood, decreasing gradually in length, so as to produce a succession of tones and semitones in the diatonic series, which had keys, and was played on as a spinnet; the hint of which, he says, was taken from an instrument, in use among the Turks, consisting of twelve wooden cylinders of different lengths, strung together, which being suspended and struck with a stick having a ball at the end, produced music.
RIGOR, in Medicine, a convulsive shuddering from severe cold, an ague fit, or other disorder.
RIMA-SZOMBACH, a large market-town in the circle of Houth, and province of the Hither Theiss, in Hungary. It is situated on the river Rima, over which is a fine bridge. It is a well-built place, having a Catholic, a Lutheran, and a Calvinistic church, and a house of assembly for the meeting of the provincial states. It contains 4050 inhabitants, who are actively employed in making linen goods, in tanning leather, and other trades.
RIMINI, a city in the papal dominions, in the delegation of Forli. It is situated at the mouth of the river Marechia, over which is a bridge said to have been built by Augustus. The city was once on the sea-shore, but the water having receded, the canal to the ancient harbour is now a part of a garden. It is surrounded with walls. It is the seat of a bishop; and, besides the cathedral, it contains several churches, and many convents, in which are paintings of the highest repute. It likewise contains several fine palaces, a public library, a town-house, and a market-place, adorned with some fine statuary. Among the antiquities are an amphitheatre, and some triumphal arches. There is a Lombard and several charitable institutions. The inhabitants amount to 17,460. They partly live on their incomes, but some are employed in making leather, in the fisheries, and in preparing sulphur. Long. 12. 27. 31. E. Lat. 44. 3. 43. N.
RING, an ornament of gold and silver, of a circular figure, and usually worn on the finger. The antiquity of rings is known from Scripture and profane authors. Judah left his ring or signet with Tamar. When Pharaoh committed the government of all Egypt to Joseph, he took his ring from his finger, and gave it to Joseph. After the victory which the Israelites obtained over the Midianites, they offered to the Lord the rings, the bracelets, and the golden necklaces, and the ear-rings, that they had taken from the enemy. The Israelitish women wore rings, not only on their fingers, but also in their nostrils and their ears. St James distinguishes a man of wealth and dignity by the ring of gold that he wore on his finger. At the return of the prodigal son, his father orders him to be dressed in a new suit of clothes, and to have a ring put upon his finger. The ring was used chiefly to seal with. The patents and orders of princes were sealed with their rings or signets; and it was this that secured to them their authority and respect-The Episcopal Ring, which makes a part of the pontifical apparatus, and is esteemed a pledge of the spiritual marriage between the bishop and his church, was used at a remote period. The fourth council of Toledo, held in 633, appoints that a bishop condemned by one council, and found afterwards innocent by a second, shall be restored, by giving him the ring, staff, &c. From bishops, the custom of the ring has passed to cardinals, who are to pay a very great sum pro jure annuli cardinalita.
RINGWOOD, a market-town of Hampshire, in the division of the New Forest, ninety miles from London. It is situated on the river Avon, is well built, has a handsome church, and a good market on Wednesday. It has been long celebrated for the excellence of the strong beer which is brewed there. The population amounted in 1801 to 3222, in 1811 to 3269, in 1821 to 3471, and in 1831 to 3434.
RIOM, an arrondissement of the department of Puy de Dome, in France, extending over 893 square miles. It comprehends thirteen cantons, divided into 130 communes, and in 1336 contained 151,456 inhabitants. The capital is the city of the same name, situated on the river Limagne. It is well buih, with broad streets, and is surrounded by five [7:19:249]promenades. It is the seat of a bishop, and had, in 1836,

11,473 inhabitants, who make linen cloth, cotton goods, serges, and cassimeres, glass, brandy, and leather; and trade in wine, brandy, nut-oil, and flax-seed, by the river. Long. 3. 1. 45. E. Lat. 45. 54. 30. N.
RIOSECO, a partido, in the province of Valladolid, in Spain, the capital of which, of the same name, but with the prefix sometimes of Medina del, is a large city. There is a canal from it which unites the canal of Campo with that of Castille. It contains three churches, five monasteries, two hospitals, 1200 houses, and betwixt 8000 and 9000 inhabitants, who manufacture serges and some other woollen goods, and ribbons and other silk goods. There are two fairs held annually, which were places of vast resort, but had declined, till of late years they have revived, and are again become of great importance to the place. There is also a town of the same name in the district of Rey-nosa and province of Toro, in a mountainous part of the country.
RIOU’S, Island, or Rooahoooa, in the Pacific Ocean, about twenty-four miles in circumference, discovered in 1792 by Lieutenant Hergest. It is barren and rocky. Long. 139. 9. W. Lat. 8. 54. S.
RIPEN or more properly Ribe, is a sea-port town and capital of the district of Ribe, in the province of North Jutland, Denmark, and is situated on the river Nipsaae,which here falls into the North Sea. The harbour is difficult of access, and admits only of small vessels. There is a castlc, two colleges, and a public library; but the principal building is the cathedral, which is a handsome structure, and contains many of the tombs of the kings of Denmark. The bishopric is the most ancient, not only of Denmark, but also of Sweden and Norway. The town carries on a considerable trade in linen; and it also exports corn, horses, and cattle. The population in the year 1834 amounted to 2365.
RIPHOEAN, Mountains are a chain of high mountains in Russia, to the north-east of the river Oby, where there are said to be the finest sables of the whole empire.
RIPLEY, a market-town of the west riding of the county of York, 215 miles from London and four from Knaresborough, in the wapentake of Claro. It is situated on the river Nyd, over which is a stone bridge. It was formerly a place of some importance, having a large castle, the ruins of which still exist. The church is an ancient building, with many monuments. It is remarkable from the extensive cultivation of liquorice. The market is on Friday, but has been but little attended of late years. The population amounted in 1801 to 892, in 1811 to 880, in 1821 to 1282, and in 1831 to 1219; but in the parish are included other two townships.
RIPON, a city of the west riding of Yorkshire, 222 miles from London. It is situated between two small streams, the Ure and the Skell. A new diocese has been erected, and the first bishop of Ripon, Dr Longley, was consecrated in 1836. The cathedral, formerly the collegiate church, has a dean, a subdean, four prebendaries, and two vicars. It is a fine old building, recently placed in good order. It was once adorned with two steeples, one of which was blown down, and the other has been removed. The market-place is one of the finest in the north of England, and is well attended on Thursdays. Ripon was once celebrated for making spurs, but that trade has vanished. Cotton-mills have been erected, which afford more employment. The municipal government consists of a mayor, four aldermen, and eleven councillors. The population amounted in 1821 to 4563, and in 1831 to 5080. Near to it is the magnificent seat and grounds of Studley Royal.
RITE, among divines, denotes the particular manner of celebrating divine service.
RITORNELLO or Repeat, in Music, the burden of a song, or the repetition of the first or other verses of a song at the end of each couplet.
RITUAL, a book directing the order and manner to be observed in performing divine service in a particular church, diocese, or the like. The ancient heathens had also their rituals, which contained their rites and ceremonies to be observed in building a city, consecrating a temple or altar,
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in sacrificing and deifying, in dividing the curiae, tribes, centuries, and, in general, in all their religious ceremonies. There are several passages in Cato’s books De Re Rustica, which may give us some idea of the rituals of the ancients.
RIVA, a city of the Austrian province of Trieste, in the circle of Roveredo. It is placed on the lake of Garda, in a beautiful situation, and has a good haven, from which a considerable trade is carried on between Italy and Germany. Here many vessels are built. The inhabitants amount to 3350, and some of them are employed in making hardware. It is said that a million dozen of Jews’ harps are made annually in this place, and distributed over all Europe.
RIVERHEAD, a town of the county of Kent, in the lathe of Sutton and hundred of Codsheath, twenty-two miles from London. The river Darent, which rises within the parish, has given its name to it. In this parish is the elegant seat of Lord Amherst, called Montreal. A new church in the Gothic style has been lately erected and consecrated. It is situated within the parish of Seven Oaks. The population was in 1801, 750; in 1811, 1012; in 1821, 1216; and in 1831, 1420.