SHIPTON, MOTHER, a half-mythical English prophetess; born near Knaresborough, Yorkshire, in July, 1488. She was christened Ursula Southill. Tradition has it that she was the child of Agatha Shipton and the devil. Some of her alleged "prophecies" have been handed down to us. She became the wife of a shipbuilder, Tobias Shipton, and died about 1559.
SHIRAS, GEORGE, JR., an American jurist, born in Pittsburgh, in 1832. He was educated at Yale University, from which institution he received, besides the degrees of A.B. and LL.B., also the hon- orary degree of LL.D. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1856, he practiced law in Pittsburgh until appointed asso- ciate justice of the United States Supreme Court in October, 1892, retiring in February, 1913. In 1888 he served as a presidential elector. SHIRAZ, a city of Persia and capital of the province of Fars; much celebrated in Persian poetry for its climate, its wine and roses, and its beautiful gardens; situated in a broad plain, 115 miles E. N. E. of Bushire and 35 miles S. W. of the ancient Persepolis. It is inclosed by ruined walls, and previous to the earthquakes contained many splendid mosques, bazaars, caravansaries, and other public buildings. The wine of Shiraz, which is very strong and resembles Tokay, is, however, still famous throughout the East. Rose water is prepared in large quantities. Inlaid articles in wood and metal, glass, and woolens are made here. The city was founded in the 8th century, and from its beautiful situation and charming climate became a favorite resort of the Persian princes. In 1812 a destructive earthquake laid a large portion of it in ruins, and another in 1824, which cost the lives of 4,000 of the inhabitants, completed the wreck of its prosperity. It was, however, rebuilt, and numbered 40,000 people, when a third and more terrible visitation, in April, 1853, laid almost the whole town again in ruins, and caused the death of 10,000 people. It has been rebuilt to a considerable extent. The tombs of the poets Hafiz and Sadi, both natives of the town, exist in the vicinity. Pop. about 55,000.
SHIRE, in the United States, a divi- sion of a State, comprising several con- tiguous townships — a distinction must be drawn between the application of this word as between English and American usage; as, for instance, it is correct in the United States to say "the county of Berkshire"; whereas in England such an expression would be tautological, or, in other words, would convey the sense of "a county of a county." SHIRE, a river of southeastern Africa draining Lake Nyassa into the Zambesi, which it enters on its left bank after a course of about 270 miles nearly, due S. It is navigable throughout its entire length, with the exception of about 35 miles of falls and rapids, during the course of which it descends as much as 1,200 feet. SHIRLEY, JAMES, an English drama- tist; born in London, England, Sept. 13, 1596; went to Merchant Taylors' School, whence he passed in 1612 to St. John's College, Oxford. Laud esteemed him highly, but discouraged him from seeking holy orders. He migrated, however, to Catharine Hall, Cambridge, took orders, and held for a short time a living at or near St. Albans, but becoming a Catholic resigned it, taught school for two years, and then retired to the metropolis, lived in Gray's Inn, and set up for a play maker. For his plots Shirley drew on his own inventiveness. Beaumont and Flet- cher were his models, even more than Ben Jonson. Most of his plays are tragi- comedies. His chief plays were "Love Tricks" (1625) ; "The Maid's Revenge" (1626); "The Brothers" (1626); "The Witty Fair One" (1628) ; "The Wedding" (1628) ; "The Traitor," his finest and also his strongest tragedy (1631); "The Changes, or Love in a Maze" (1632) ; "The Gamester," an admirable comedy, (1633) ; "The Lady of Pleasure" (1635) ; and "The Cardinal." In 1646 he printed a volume of his poems, including his masque of "The Triumph of Beauty." As a writer of masques he is second only to Ben Jonson. Among his best was "The Triumph of Peace," presented by the Inns of Court before the king and queen in 1633. The only complete edi- tion of his works is that edited by Gif- ford and Dyce (6 vols. 1833). There is a selection of five plays with "The Tri- umph of Peace," in the "Mermaid" series, by E. W. Gosse (1888). He died in pov- erty, Oct. 29, 1666. SHIRWA, or TAMANDTTA, a lake of southeastern Africa, on the Shire river, to the S. E. of Lake Nyassa. It is a secluded basin, lying at an elevation of 2,000 feet above the sea, and surrounded by mountains which reach a height of 7,000 to 8,000 feet. It is mostly shallow and infested by hippopotami and croco- diles. SHISHAK, the name of several mon- archs of the 22d or Bubastite Egyptian dynasty. Shishak I.'s name is found in the portico built by the Bubastite dynasty at the great temple of Karnak, and on
