(6 vols., Leipsic, 1823-45), which is the standard history of the imperial house of Swabia; “Geschichte Europas seit dem Ende des XVten Jahrhunderts” (8 vols., 1832-'50); “ Beiträge zur neuen Geschichte” (5 vols., 1836-'9); and “Die Vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika” (2 vols., 1845), which was translated into French (1846), and English (London, 1847). It treats of the constitution of the United States, which Raumer compares with those of Europe, of the religious movements in the country, of the political parties, and of its foreign policy.
RAUSCHENBUSCH, Augustus, clergyman,
b. in Altena, Westphalia, Germany, 13 Feb., 1816.
He was graduated at the gymnasium at Elberfeld,
and went in his nineteenth year to the University
of Berlin to study for the Lutheran ministry.
Subsequently he spent some time at the University of
Bonn in the study of natural science and theology.
On the death of his father, who was a Lutheran
pastor in Altena, the son was chosen in 1841 as his
successor. His ministry here, while fruitful in
spiritual results, excited so much opposition, and
was so hampered by his ecclesiastical relations,
that he resolved to emigrate to the United States.
He came to this country in 1846, and preached
for some time to the Germans in Missouri. In
1847 he removed to New York, where he edited
the German tracts published by the American
tract society. While he was residing in New York
his views on the question of baptism underwent a
change, and in 1850 he entered the Baptist
communion, though retaining his connection with the
Tract society until 1853. In 1858 he was called to
take charge of the German department of Rochester
theological seminary, which place he continued
to fill until 1888. He received the honorary
degree of D.D. from the University of Rochester.
RAVEL FAMILY, a company of French actors,
of whom Gabriel, b. in Toulouse, France, in 1810,
was the most noted. The family consisted of ten
principals, who for many years played in the cities
of France. They were in Paris in 1825. and a year
or two later in London, at the Strand theatre and
Vauxhall garden. They were remarkable for their
rope-dancing, ballets, pantomimes, and tricks that
were produced with the aid of stage-machinery.
In 1832 the troupe arrived in this country, and on
16 July of that year made their debut at the New
York Park theatre. This was followed by renewed
engagements at the same place, and performances
in other cities. In 1834 the company went to Eu-
rope on a vacation. A year later they performed
in the French cities, and in 1836 they opened at
Drury Lane theatre in London. From 1837 until
the original Ravels gave entertainments in
this country, that were interrupted by occasional visits to Canada, a tour to the West Indies and South America, and brief vacations in their native land. In the autumn of 1848 they retired from the stage. In 1866 the remains of the old troupe, combined with new auxiliaries, again appeared here for a short season, but met with an unfavorable reception. The representatives of the original Ravel family gave a variety of performances that were largely unique. Among their harlequinades were "Mazulm," "The Green Monster," "The Red Gnome," "Asphodel," and "The Golden Pills."
RAVENEL, Henry William, botanist, b. in St. John's parish, Berkeley, S. C., 19 May, 1814 ; d. in Aiken, S. C., 17 July, 1887. He was graduated
at South Carolina college in 1832, and settled in St. Johns, where he became a planter. In 1853 he removed to Aiken, S. C., and there he spent the remainder of his life. As a young man he evinced a fondness for natural history, and he pursued studies in botany with enthusiasm throughout his long
life. He not only studied critically the phsenogams of South Carolina, but also extended his researches among the mosses, lichens, algæ, and
fungi. Mr. Ravenel discovered a large number of new species of cryptogams, besides a few new phænogams. With the exception of the Rev. Moses A. Curtis, he was the only American that knew specifically the fungi of the United States, and it is doubtful whether any other botanist has ever covered so wide a range of plants. In 1869 he was appointed botanist of the government commission that was sent to Texas to investigate the cattle-disease, and at the time of his death he was botanist to the department of agriculture of
South Carolina, The degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the University of North Carolina in 1886, and he was a member of various scientific societies in the United States and Europe. His name is perpetuated in the genus Ravenelia of the Uredineae, a genus so peculiar in its character that it is not probable that it will ever be reduced to a synonym, also by many species of cryptogams that have been named in his honor as their discoverer. Mr. Ravenel was agricultural editor of the "Weekly News and Courier," and, in addition to his botanical papers, he published "Fungi Caroliniani Exsiccati " (5 vols., Charleston, 1853-'60), and. with Mordecai C. Cooke, of London, "Fungi Americani Exsiccati" (8 vols., 1878-'82).
RAVENEL, St. Julien, chemist, b. in Charleston, S. C., 15 Dec., 1819; d. there, 16 March, 1882. He was educated in Charleston and graduated at
the Medical college of the state of South Carolina in 1840. Subsequently he completed his studies in Philadelphia and in Paris, and on his return set-
tled in practice in Charleston, and became demonstrator of anatomy. Dr. Ravenel spent the years 1849-'50 in studying natural history and physiology under Louis Agassiz, also acquiring considerable skill as a microscopist. In 1852 he retired from practice and devoted his attention chiefly to
chemistry as applied to agriculture. He visited the marl-bluffs on Cooper river in 1856, and ascertained that this rock could be converted into lime.
In consequence, he established with Clement II. Stevens the lime-works at Stoney Landing, which furnished most of the lime that was used in the
Confederate states. At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted as surgeon in the Confederate army. While in Charleston he designed the torpedo cigar-boat, the "Little David." which was built on Cooper river and did effective service during the investment of Charleston in 1863 by Admiral Du
Pont. He was surgeon-in-chief of the Confederate hospital in Columbia, and was director of the Confederate laboratory in that city for the preparation
of medical supplies. At the close of the war he returned to Charleston, and in 1866 he discovered the value of the phosphate deposits in the vicinity of that city for agricultural purposes. Dr. Ravenel then founded the Wando phosphate company for the manufacture of fertilizers, and established
lime-works in Woodstock. The last work of his life was the study of means of utilizing the rich lands that are employed for rice-culture along the
sea-coast, which would be thrown out of cultivation and rendered useless when the import duty on that article should be removed.
RAVENSCROFT, John Stark, P. E. bishop, b. near Blandford, Prince George co., Va.. in 1772 : d. in Williamsborough, N. C., 5 March, 1830. His father and family removed to Scotland soon after the boy's birth, and John was sent to school in the north of England. In January, 1789, he returned
