several times visited and lectured in the United States. In 1920 he went to Russia as the guest of the Soviet Government, and recorded his impressions, which were, for the most part, favorable.
WELLSVILLE, a city of Ohio, in Columbiana co. It is on the Pennsylvania railroad, and on the Ohio river. It is an important industrial center and has manufactures of steel, terra-cotta, boilers, nails, machinery, etc. Pop. (1910) 7,769; (1920) 8,849.
WELSBACH LIGHT, an invention of Carl Auer von Welsbach, an Austrian, in 1884. In Europe it is known as the Auer light. It is based upon the discovery that certain materials became incandescent at a low temperature. The process followed is to saturate a combustible filament in the form of a network with a solution of salt of a refractory earth, such as zirconium. It is then dried out and burned, the combustible element disappearing and leaving a frame of refractory material, which becomes incandescent at a low temperature. The filament is called a mantle and is exceedingly fragile.
WENCESLAUS, or WENZEL, an Emperor of Germany and King of Bohemia; born in 1361; was the son of Charles IV., whom he succeeded in 1378. He was a dissolute and cruel prince. He favored the Hussites, but was unable to save the life of Huss. He died in 1419.
WENDS, the name of a section of the Slavonic race, now dwelling mostly in that part of Germany known as Lusatia, partly in Prussia, partly in the kingdom of Saxony. In the 6th century the Wends were a powerful people, extending along the Baltic, from the Elbe to the Vistula, and S. to the frontiers of Bohemia. They comprised a variety of tribes. The favorite occupation of the Wends was, and still is, agriculture. There are several dialects of the Wend language still extant.
WENER (va'ner), the largest lake of Sweden, and after those of Ladoga and Onega the largest in Europe; situated in the S. W. of the kingdom. It is 147 feet above sea-level, and of very irregular shape. Its greatest length, N. E. to S. W., is about 100 miles; and its breadth may average about 30 miles; area, 2,306 square miles. Its chief feeder is the Klar. By a canal it communicates with Lake Wetter, but its only proper outlet is at its S. W. extremity, where its superfluous waters are received by the river Gotha. In winter it is frozen for several months, and crossed by sledges. It abounds with fish.
WEREWOLF, or MAN-WOLF, the same as the French loup-garou, an im- aginary being believed in during the Middle Ages.
WERNIGERODE, a town of Prussia, province of Sachsen; on the slopes of the Harz Mountaius, at the confluence of the Zilligerbach and the Holtzemme; 40 miles S. W. of Magdeburg. It has a beautiful "schloss" containing a library of 100,000 volumes, specially rich in collection of Bibles and hymnologies, a gymnasium, three churches, a rathhaus dating from the 14th century, and built, as are also many of the private houses, in a picturesque Gothic style, a thiergarten or park, an orphanage, etc. Wernigerode has manufactures of linen, cloth, tobacco, and bricks. Pop. about 20,000.
WERRENRATH, REINALD, an American singer, born in Brooklyn, in 1883. He graduated from New York University in 1905. After studying music under several instructors he appeared as a concert singer with marked success in recitals and oratories in the United States. In 1919 he made his first appearance on the operatic stage at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York.
WESER (vā'zer), a river of Germany; formed by the junction of the Fulda and Werra at Miinden; flows generally in a N. W. direction, and, after a very circuitous course, traverses the city of Bremen, and then falls by a vdde mouth, much encumbered with sandbanks, into the German Ocean. Its length, including the Werra, is about 480 miles. The navigation for vessels of large size ceases about 10 miles below Bremen. See Bremen.
WESLEY, CHARLES, an English hymnist; born in Epworth, England, Dec. 18, 1707; younger brother of John Wesley; educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. He accompanied his brother to Georgia as an ordained clergyman, but after his return to England he became, in 1738, a preacher in the Methodist connection, and materially assisted the success of the movement by his numerous hymns, large collections from which have been frequently published. Two of his sons, Charles and Samuel, were celebrated for musical genius. He died in London, March 29, 1788.
WESLEY, JOHN, an English clergyman; founder of Methodism; born in Epworth, England, June 17, 1703, son of the rector of Epworth; educated at the Charter House, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He took his degree of B. A. in 1724, was ordained deacon in 1725, be-
