TRIPOLITZA I the United States to increase its pay- ment for immunity from the depreda- tions of the Tripolitan corsairs. After several conflicts by sea and land, peace was concluded June 4, 1805. TRIPOLITZA, a town of southern Greece, in the province of Arcadia. Pre- vious to the revolution it was the capital of Morea, but Ibrahim Pasha took pos- session of it in 1828 and razed it to the ground. It has since been rebuilt. Pop. about 12,000. TRIPP ANT, in heraldry, a term ap- plied to beasts of chase, as passant is to beasts of prey, etc. The animal is rep- resented with the right foot lifted up, and the other three, as it were, on the ground, as if trotting. Counter trippant is when two animals are borne trippant contrary-ways, as if passing each other out of the field. TRIPTOLEMUS, in mythology, the son of Celeus, King of Attica, by Neeera. The goddess Ceres wished to make him immortal, but was prevented through the meddling curiosity of his mother. She, however, taught him agriculture, and rendered him serviceable to mankind by instructing him how to sow corn and make bread. She also gave him her chariot, drawn by two dragons, in which he traveled over the earth, and distrib- uted corn to all the inhabitants of the world. TRIPTYCH (trip'tik), a wi-iting tab- let in three parts, two of which might be folded over the middle part; hence sometimes an ecclesiastical register of names on a triple tablet, or a book or treatise in three parts or sections. Also a picture, carving, or other representa- tion, generally on panel, with two hang- ing doors or leaves, by which it could be closed in front. Triptychs were con- structed of various materials and dimen- sions; ivory and enameled triptychs were adorned with sacred subjects and emblems. They were frequently used for altar pieces. The central figure is usually complete in itself. The subsidi- ary designs on either side of it are smaller, and frequently correspond in size and shape to one-half of the prin- cipal picture. TRIREME, in classical antiquity, a galley or vessel having three ranks or benches of oars on each side, a common class of war ship among the ancient Romans, Greeks, Carthaginians, etc. They were also provided with large square sails, which could be raised during a fair wind, to relieve the rowers. When two ships engaged, if tolerably well matched, the great object aimed at by each was, 5 TRISTAN DA CUNHA either by running up suddenly alongside of the enemy, to sweep away or disable a large number of his oars, or, by bearing down at speed, to drive the beak full into his side or quarter, in which case the planks were generally stove in, and the vessel went down. But if one of the parties was so decidedly inferior in sea- manship as to be unable to cope with his antagonist in such maneuvers, he en- deavored, as he approached, to grapple with him, and then the result was de- cided, as on land, by the numbers and bravery of the combatants. TRISAGION, one of the doxologies of the Eastern Church, repeated in the form of versicle and responses by the choir in certain parts of the liturgy, and so called from the triple recui'rence in it of the word /iag'ios= holy. TRISTAN, or TRISTRAM, the center figure of a circle of old Celtic myths, which with countless modifications and additions afterward appeared in all the chief European literatures. According to the story, Tristan, son of Rouland Rise, Lord of Ermonie, and Blanche Fleur, sister of Mark, King of Cornwall, was sent by his uncle to woo vicariously and bring home as bride to the British king the fair Isolt, Yseult, or Ysonde, princess of Ireland. Tristan does so, but they unfortunately partake of a love charm which is not intended for them. They fall passionately but hopelessly in love with each other. The intrigue was carried on for years, and the story nar- rates the adventures — grave and gay — which resulted from the somewhat diffi- cult position of the actors. They died simultaneously, and the king generously allowed them to be buried side by side. But "even in our ashes live their wonted fires," a vine and a rose-bush grew from the graves, and, meeting, twined amo- rously their branches together. The most important romance extant on the sub- ject is that composed about 1170 by the Norman-English chevalier, Luce de Gast. The legend got abroad to France, and from thence mixed with the Arthurian myths to Germany, where Gottfried of Strassburg renarrated part of the story in a lively poem (1210), which had great popularity in the Middle Ages. Hans Sachs is one among a host of old writers who have treated the subject. The Auch- inleck MS. of "Sir Tristan" was pub- lished by Walter Scott in 1806. TRISTAN DA CUNHA (da-kon' ya), the largest of three islands in the South Atlantic (the others being Night- ingale and Inaccessible Island), about 1,500 miles S. W. of St. Helena. It is mountainous, and one peak rises to the
