PENINSULA, a piece of land almost surrounded with water, and connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land or isthmus. With the definite article the term is specifically applied to Spain and Portugal.
PENINSULAR WAR, the war carried on in the beginning of the 19th century in Spain and Portugal by the British forces, aided by the native troops, against the French. Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterward the Duke of Wellington, landed with 10,000 British troops, at Figueras, in Portugal, Aug. 1-3, 1808, and on the 21st defeated the French at Vimiera. On August 30 the Convention of Cintra was signed, by which Junot agreed to evacuate the country. Wellesley returning home, the command of the army, now increased to 20,000 men, was given over to Sir John Moore, who was forced by Soult to fall back on Corunna, where a battle was fought on Jan. 16, 1809, in which the former lost his life. Wellesley again received command of the army, and, after a series of sanguinary but generally successful combats, drove the French across the Pyrenees, entering France on Oct. 7, 1813.
PENITENTIARY, a prison in which convicted offenders are confined and subjected to a course of discipline and instruction with a view to their reformation.
PENITENTIARY, one of the offices of the Roman Curia, taking special cognizance of matters relating to the confessional and dispensations from such impediments to marriage as are not diriment. The dignitary who presides over the office described above. He is a cardinal priest and must be a doctor of theology or canon law. That part of the church to which penitents are restricted Canon penitentiary: In the Roman Church a canon appointed in compliance with a decree of the Council of Trent which directs that in every cathedral church, if possible, a penitentiary should be appointed. He must be 40 years of age, master of arts, a doctor, or a licentiate in theology or canon law. His duty is to deal with reserved cases, and his attendance in confessional is considered equivalent to presence in choir. A prison: a reformatory for criminals.
PENN, WILLIAM, founder of the State of Pennsylvania; son of Sir William Penn; born in London, Oct. 13, 1644. He received a good education, completing it at Christ Church, Oxford, but disappointed his father's expectations by turning Quaker, and was discarded by him. Sir William afterward relented, and sent his son abroad. Young Penn visited France and Italy, and returned to his native country in 1664. He spent two years in the study of law at Lincoln's Inn, and was then sent to Ireland to manage his father's estates; but, happening to hear a discourse at Cork, by Thomas Loe, a leading Quaker, he reverted to his former opinions, and traveled to propagate this new faith. He was taken up for preaching, and sent to prison; but was released through the interest of his father. After his return to England, he was sent to the Tower, on account of a book which he had written;
WILLIAM PENN
and, while there, he composed his principal work, entitled "No Cross, no Crown," intended to show the benefit of suffering. On his release, he resumed his former labors, and was apprehended, with some others, and tried for preaching at a conventicle in Gracechurch Street. The jury persisted in finding them not guilty, and were fined for acting contrary to the dictates of the judge. Admiral Penn was reconciled to his son before his death, and left him all his property. He continued firm in his attachment to the Society of Friends. In 1681 he obtained from the crown, in lieu of the arrears due his father, the grant of the province in North America, and it was Charles II. who, in honor of Penn, proposed the name Pennsylvania. The code of laws which Penn prepared for the province was exalted in aim, comprehensive in scope; yet, with slight exceptions, its details were marvelously practical. Accompanied by emigrants, Penn sailed from Deal Sept. 5, 1682, for America, and landed at New Castle, Del., Oct. 24, and at Upland, Pa., (now Chester), Oct. 29, 1682. The work of organization was rapid. A few
