214 AIKMAN AIMARD ciseness ; " England Delineated " ; "A Memoir of Howard the Philanthropist," with whom he had intimate friendship ; " General Biography " (10 vols. 4to). In medicine he rewrote Lew- is's "Materia Medica," and some smaller works. II. Arthur, son of the preceding, horn May 19, 1773, died in Bloomsbury, April 15, 1854. In 1797 he published the "Journal of a Tour through North Wales and Shropshire." From 1803 to 1808 he was editor of the "Annual Eeview." In connection with his brother Charles, he published in 1807 "A Dictionary of Chemistry and Mineralogy." In 1814 ap- peared the first edition of his "Manual of Min- eralogy." He was for many years resident secretary of the society of arts, and con- tributed to its "Transactions." He was also one of the founders of the geological society, and for 36 years a fellow of the Linnsean so- ciety. III. Liit), an English authoress, sister of the preceding, born at Warrington, Nov. 6, 1781, died at Hampstead, Jan. 29, 1864. Af- ter having assisted her father and aunt (Mrs. Barbauld) in their literary work, she pub- lished a poetical volume in 1810 under the title of " Epistles to Women," modelled after the style of Pope. Her most important works are her memoirs of the courts of Elizabeth (1818), James I. (1822), and Charles I. (1833), and her "Memoirs of Addison" (1843). She also wrote memoirs of her father and her aunt. She was regarded as one of the most accom- plished literary women of her time, and was also celebrated for her conversational powers and her social qualities. AIRMAN, illiani. a Scottish portrait painter, born Oct. 24, 1682, died in London, June 4, 1731. He spent three years in Italy, travelled in Turkey, practised his art some years in Ed- inburgh, and in 1723 settled in London, where he was liberally patronized, and on intimate terms with the leading spirits in art and let- ters. His works closely resemble those of Sir Godfrey Kneller. AILANTUS (Malay, ailanto, tree of heaven, the name of one species in the Molnccas), a tree of the sub-family ailantea, which is one of the four divisions of simarubacea of Lindley. The species A. glandulosa, native of China, was introduced into England in 1751, and into North America about the beginning of this century. The tree resembles a gigantic stag's horn sumach, with very large leaves, unequally pinnate, and footstalks from one to two feet in length. It has many flowers on a terminal pedicel, whose anthers smell disagreeably, like animal effluvia containing phosphorus. It grows very fast, especially in poor calcareous soil, and has spreading roots. There is a resi- nous juice in the bark, which hardens in a short time. The wood is hard, heavy, glossy, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is propa- gated by root-cuttings. It sometimes has only male flowers, but in warm countries produces both male and female, and consequently fruit. A. excelsa is found about Delhi and further south. There are other species in southern Asia, and on the islands of the Indian ocean. The other plants of the same order are natives of tropical America, India, and Africa. AILLT, Pierre d', or Petrns de Alliaeo, a French prelate and theologian, surnamed the Hammer of Heretics and the Eagle of the Doctors of France, born in 1350, died in 1420 or 1425. He was distinguished as a preacher and philo- sophical disputant (being a leader of the nom- inalists), and early became a doctor of the Sor- bonne, in 1384 grand master of the college of Navarre, in 1389 chancellor of the university, and in 1398 bishop of Cambrai ; he was also almoner and confessor to Charles VI. His ex- ertions led to the calling of the council of Pisa in 1409, for the healing of the papal schism, and he was one of its most active members. He was made cardinal by John XXIII. and sent as papal legate to Germany. In this capacity he took a prominent part in the council of Constance, 1414-'18, where he promoted the condemnation of John Huss and Jerome of Prague, but zealously advocated a reform in the church, maintained the superiority of councils to the popes, and aided in the election of Martin V. in place of the three rival popes. He was afterward papal legate at Avignon till his death. His published writings are numer- ous, including Concardantia Astronomies cum Theologia, &c., written in accordance with the astrological views of the age. AILREI), Ealred, or Ethelred, an English histo- rian and theologian, born in 1104, died June 12, 1166. He was educated at the Scottish court, entered the Cistercian order, and became abbot of Revesby in Lincolnshire, and after- ward of Rievaulx in Yorkshire. His extraor- dinary sanctity is said to have been attested by miracles both before and after his death. His numerous works (in Latin) include a life of Edward the Confessor, an account of the battle of the Standard, and other historical pieces, published by Sir Roger Twysden in Ilistorm Anglicana) Scriptores decem (2 vols. fol., 1652); M Mirror of Divine Love," " Mirror of Charity," sermons, &c., partly published at Douai in 1631, and in several collections. AILSA CRAIG, an isolated rocky islet ot Ayr- shire, Scotland, 10 m. oft' the coast at Girvan, and 25 m. S. S. W. of Ayr; lat. 55 16' 12" N., Ion. 5 7' W. It is of conical shape, about two miles in circumference at the base, and rises 1,098 feet above the surface of the ocean. Its summit can only be gained on the E. side ; the other sides are nearly perpendicular, two of them resembling in structure the columns of Fingal's cave. The top is covered with ver- dure, and is the resort of great numbers of sea birds, goats, and rabbits; and there are the ruins of an ancient three-story tower. Tho island is the property of the marquis of Ailsa, who takes his title from it. AIMARD, Gnstare, a French novelist, born about 1818. He made a voyage as a cabin boy
to America, and spent ten adventurous years