Parker. The British were commanded by Major Pitcairn, who, on observing the preparations made to resist his progress, halted his men to load, and then advanced at double-quick, he himself riding in front and ordering the Americans to lay down their arms and retire. As the militia held their ground. Major Pitcairn fired his pistol at them, and having given the order to his men, the latter discharged their muskets, with the result of killing four and wounding nine of the militiamen. The latter retreated, four being killed while fleeing. A scattering fire from Captain Parker's men wounded three British soldiers, and the militia being dispersed, the British force proceeded to Concord to effect the main object of the expedition. The distance is only about six miles, and the place, which became the second battleground of that day, was reached at about 7:30 o'clock. The country was by this time thoroughly aroused, and as many as 180 militiamen had assembled, who, as the British came into view, fell back and took position on the side of a hill, afterwards crossing the North Bridge over the Concord River by order of Colonel Barrett, who had assumed command. The British, being left in possession of the town, proceeded to the destruction of such arms and provisions as they could find, a detachment being sent to gain control of the North and South bridges. This body was attacked by the militia at the North Bridge, and a brisk fight followed, which resulted in slight losses on both sides. The British, having effected all the damage possible, commenced to retreat, being followed by the Americans, who kept up a galling fire and harassed them. The timely arrival of a large force under Lord Percy prevented a disaster. The news of these encounters thrilled the country and impressed the Americans with a sense of their own capability to contend with the tried regulars of the British Army.
LEXINGTON. A city and the county-seat of Lafayette County, Mo., 40 miles east of Kansas City, on the south bank of the Missouri River, and on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé and the Missouri Pacific railroads (Map: Missouri, C 2). It has the Wentworth Military Academy, Central Female College, and Baptist Female College. The city is the centre of a hemp-growing region; and coal is mined in the vicinity and extensively shipped. The government is administered under a charter of 1848, subsequently amended, by a mayor, elected biennially, and a unicameral council. Lexington was settled in 1825, and incorporated about five years later. Population, in 1890, 4537; in 1900, 4190. There is a hill to the northeast of the city, where in September, 1861, 3000 Union soldiers, under Col. James Mulligan, sustained a siege against 18,000 Confederates under Gen. Sterling Price, at last surrendering the town and garrison on the 20th. A few days later Price withdrew, leaving only a small garrison, and on October 16th, a Union force of about 230 under Major J. White released the Union prisoners here and captured about 70 of the Confederates.
LEXINGTON. A town and the county-seat of Rockbridge County, Va., about 45 miles northwest of Lynchburg; on the north fork of the James River, and on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and a branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (Map: Virginia, E 4). It has picturesque surroundings, and is the centre of a fertile agricultural region. There are some manufactures. The town is the seat of Washington and Lee University (q.v.), and of the Virginia Military Institute, founded in 1839. Among objects of special interest are the statues of Generals Lee and Jackson, whose graves are also here. The famous Natural Bridge (q.v.) is 14 miles south, and in the opposite direction are several mineral springs which have become popular resorts. Lexington owns and operates its water-works. Population, in 1890, 3059; in 1900, 3203.
LEX′IS, Wilhelm (1837—). A German political economist, born at Eschweiler, near Aix-la-Chapelle. He studied mathematics and natural science at the University of Bonn, and in 1861 went to Paris, where the economics of France chiefly claimed his attention. He was appointed professor of political economy at the University of Strassburg in 1872, and accepted a call to the chair in the same branch at Dorpat in 1874, at Freiburg in 1876, at Breslau in 1884, and at Göttingen in 1887. A partial list of his writings includes: Einleitung in die Theorie der Bevölkerungsstatistik (1875); Zur Theorie der Massenerscheinungen in der menschlichen Gesellschaft (1877); Die Wirkung der Getreidezölle (1889); Der gegenwärtige Stand der Währungsfrage (1896); Die neuen französischen Universitäten (1901). In collaboration with others he edited Handwörterbuch der Staatswissenschaft (7 vols., 2d ed., Jena, 1898-1901).
LEX LOCI. See Conflict of Laws.
LEYDEN, or LEIDEN, lī′den. One of the oldest and most famous cities of the Netherlands, situated in the Province of South Holland, on several arms of the Old Rhine, 22 miles southwest of Amsterdam and six miles inland ( Map: Netherlands, C 2). It is a regularly built town, and is too large for its present population. Of its churches the most noteworthy are Saint Paneras (Hooglandsche Kerk), a fine late Gothic building originally erected in the fifteenth century and restored in 1885; and the Church of Saint Peter, dating from 1315, and containing many monuments to distinguished scientists. The sixteenth-century town hall in Dutch style, and the Lakenhal (‘cloth hall’) or Municipal Museum, dating from the seventeenth century, are the most prominent secular buildings. On an elevation in the centre of the town are the ruins of the old Burg. Besides its university (see Leyden, University of), to which it chiefly owes its fame. Leyden has a gymnasium, two other high schools, and a navigation school. Leyden was the birthplace of Rembrandt. In the fifteenth century its textiles were famous throughout Europe. The chief manufactures are various woolen products, cotton goods, leather, iron products, and spirits. There is a considerable trade in local manufactures and dairy products. The population of Leyden is believed to have been about 100,000 in the eighteenth century. In 1900 it was 54,421.
The most brilliant event in the history of Leyden was its heroic defense against ihe Spaniards, who besieged the city for a whole year—1573-74. The citizens withstood the siege almost to the last point of endurance, when William of Orange at last relieved them by opening the dikes and flooding the country. From 1609 to 1620 Leyden was the place of refuge of a band of English Non-Conformists from among whom came the
