The Grand Old Man, the sobriquet of Mr. Gladstone.

Gabelle.

A tax on salt, imposed at various periods of French history. Towards the latter part of the eighteenth century it was a most burdensome impost and its incidence was most irregular. It was abolished in 1791.

Gachupin.

The name given in Central and South America to Spaniards and Spanish partizans during the war of independence.

Gadesden Purchase.

A purchase from Mexico by the United States for ten million dollars of a large tract of land now included in Arizona and New Mexico. The purchase was negotiated by James Gadesden, while United States’ Minister to Mexico in 1853.

Gafol-land.

In Anglo-Saxon times folcland which was let out on rent was so called. Gafol means tribute.

Galleons, The Spanish.

The treasure ships, which sailed once a year from the New World, bringing the tribute of the Colonies to Spain. They were frequently captured by the English gentlemen adventurers and by the buccaneers during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Gallican Confession.

The profession of faith of the French Reformed Church, adopted at the Synod of La Rochelle in 1571.

Gallowglasses.

See Kerns.

Gamelle.

The nickname applied to the Duc d’OrlÉans, when he applied to be allowed to do his term of service as a private in the French Army, saying that he would be proud to eat his dinner out of the gamelle (mess tin) like any other Frenchman.

Gandamak, Treaty of.

A treaty between Great Britain and Afghanistan in 1879. It was stipulated that the foreign affairs of Afghanistan should be under British control, and that a British Resident should be appointed. All Afghan territory occupied during the previous campaign was to be restored, except the Kuram, Pishin and Sibi valleys. Great Britain was to control the Khyber and Michni passes, and to pay the Ameer an annual subsidy of £60,000. Within the year the British Resident, Cavagnari, was murdered in Cabul, almost certainly with the connivance of the Ameer, and the invasion of Afghanistan followed.

Garden of England.

This title is given to the counties of Kent and Worcestershire.

Garden State.

A popular name for the State of Kansas.

Garibaldini.

A democratic party in modern Italy, who desire to realize Garibaldi’s ideal of a United Italy under a republic.

Garter, Order of the.

The premier order of knighthood, instituted by Edward III in 1344.

Gastein, Treaty of.

A treaty signed by Austria and Prussia, at the close of the Schleswig-Holstein War, in 1865, by which Schleswig was ceded to Prussia and Holstein to Austria, while the latter power made over to Prussia all her rights in the Duchy of Lauenburg.

Gauchos.

The shepherds of the Pampas, or plains in the interior of the Argentine Republic. They supported Ortiz de Rosas, who was practically dictator of that state from 1835 to 1852.

Gautiers.

Insurgent bands of peasants in Normandy, circ. 1580.

Gavelkind.

In Anglo-Saxon and early Norman times all estates not held on military tenure were subject to the law of Gavelkind, by which the inheritance was divided equally among the sons. This tenure survived the decay of the feudal system in Kent only, and where it exists, real estate, in case of intestacy, still passes to the sons in equal shares, instead of to the eldest.

Gem of Normandy.

Emma, daughter of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and wife of Ethelred II of England, and afterwards of Knut, was known by this name.

Gemot.

The Shire Court in Anglo-Saxon times.

General Congress.

An assembly summoned at Philadelphia in 1774, after the passing of the Boston Port Act, as a preliminary to a general revolt against English rule. Twelve of the thirteen colonies were represented, Georgia alone holding aloof.

Geneva Convention.

A convention signed at Geneva in 1864, by which the Powers bound themselves to observe certain regulations in warfare, tending to ameliorate the condition of the wounded. The Red Cross, the badge of the Convention, is a protection to all working under it, and to all buildings, such as hospitals, over which it is flown.

Gentoo Laws.

The digest of Hindoo and Mohammedan law prepared in Calcutta, circ. 1790, under the direction of Sir William Jones.

Georges’ Conspiracy.

See Pichegru.

Geraldines.

The clansmen of the Fitzgeralds of Desmond and Kildare, one of the great families of Norman nobles who settled in Ireland at the time of the conquest under Henry II. They were exceedingly turbulent, and during Tudor times were constantly intriguing with Spain, and rebelling against English rule. Their last and most serious rising was in 1569, when they held out against the royal troops until 1580, when the clan was practically broken up, and ceased to be a power in Irish politics.

German Concordat.

See Aschaffenburg.

Germanada.

An association of the people of Valencia directed against the privileges of the nobles, formed in 1519, with the connivance of the Emperor Charles V.

Germanic League.

A league composed of the smaller German States, with portions of the dominions of Prussia and Austria, and the Free Cities, constituted at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Its constitution underwent considerable changes in the course of the risings which took place in various states in 1848, while in 1866 Prussia annexed all the states north of the Main.

Germany, Unification of.

This was accomplished at Versailles in 1871, when Hesse, Baden, WÜrtemberg, and Bavaria applied to be allowed to enter the North German Confederation. At the same time the King of Bavaria invited William to assume the Imperial Crown, and on his acceptance the German Empire, as it at present exists, was constituted.

Gerrymandering.

See Jerrymandering.

Gersamma ReginÆ.

See Queen’s Gold.

Ghazi.

A Mohammedan fanatic who believes that he will enjoy exceptional bliss in Paradise, if he dies in the act of killing an unbeliever. In Asiatic warfare, especially among the Afghans and the Afridi hill tribes, a mob of Ghazis usually lead the attack.

Ghazi.

A Turkish title of honour, signifying the Victorious, bestowed upon successful generals, as in the cases of Osman Pacha and Moukhtar Pacha.

Ghent, Convention of.

A convention of the Netherlands provinces in 1477, whereat the Groote Privilegie, the Magna Charta of Holland, was granted by Mary of Burgundy.

Ghent, Pacification of.

An agreement between the Estates of Holland and Zeeland and the Prince of Orange on the one side, and the Provinces of Brabant, Flanders, Hainault, Artois and others on the other, signed in 1576. It recognized the reformed religion in Holland and Zeeland, abolished the edicts of Charles V, and agreed to the expulsion of the Spaniards.

Ghent, Treaty of.

A treaty between Great Britain and the United States, signed in 1814, at the close of the war of 1811. The basis of the treaty was the status quo ante. Commissioners were appointed to delimit the frontiers of the United States and the British Colonies. Both parties undertook to aid each other in the suppression of the slave trade, and it was provided that all Indian tribes that had been dispossessed during the war should be restored to their lands.

Ghibellines.

See Guelfs.

Giants, Battle of the.

The battle of Marignano, where Francis I defeated the Swiss in 1515, was so called by Trivulzio, the French Marshal.

Gin Act.

An Act passed in 1736, imposing a duty of 20s. per gallon on gin sold by retail, and a £50 fee for every retailer’s licence. The Act was evaded, and though gin was openly sold as before, no duties were paid and no licences taken out. It was therefore repealed in 1743.

Giovane Italia, La.

See Young Italy.

Gisors, Treaty of.

A treaty between Henry I of England and Louis VI of France, signed in 1113, after the defeat of the French at Puysac, and the loss of AlenÇon. The French King renounced his claim to suzerainty over Maine, Belesme and Brittany.

Gladstone’s Umbrella.

A phrase constantly used during the general election of 1885, having reference to the way in which Mr. Gladstone succeeded in uniting under his banner the various sections of the Liberal party.

Glamorgan Treaty.

A treaty concluded in 1644 between the Irish Catholics and the Earl of Glamorgan, acting for Charles I. The published conditions were the removal of the disabilities imposed on the Catholics by Poyning’s Act, a general amnesty, and a limitation of the period during which titles to land might be questioned. There was, however, a further secret treaty, granting the Catholics the right of public worship in all churches not occupied by the State Church, in return for which they agreed to provide 10,000 men for the King’s army in England, to be paid for out of the church revenues.

Glasgow Riots.

An outbreak in Glasgow, under the leadership of a mechanic named Finlay, in opposition to the Act of Union with England in 1706.

Glen Grey Act.

An Act amending the regulations as to Kaffir reservations in Cape Colony, passed in 1894. It provided for the division of the reservations into six-acre plots, and the granting of inalienable titles to the allottees, with succession to the eldest son. At the same time all subsidies were withdrawn, with the object of encouraging industry among the Kaffirs.

Glencoe, Massacre of.

The treacherous massacre, in 1692, of the clansmen of Macdonald of Glencoe, under the orders of Breadalbane, a member of the Clan Campbell, the hereditary foes of the Macdonalds. An appearance of legality was given to the massacre by the fact that Macdonald had delayed till the last moment taking the oath of allegiance to William and Mary, and owing to stress of weather did not actually take it till after the prescribed date.

Glippers.

The name given to the Netherlanders who sided with the Spanish King’s party, circ. 1570.

Glorious First of June.

The name given to the battle off Ushant, fought on June 1, 1794, in which Lord Howe utterly defeated the French fleet.

Gold-bugs.

The name given in the United States to the supporters of the single gold standard.

Golden Book.

The book containing the names of the noble Venetian families who were qualified to be members of the Grand Council. It was compiled in 1319.

Golden Bull (Germany).

An edict issued in 1356 by the Emperor Charles IV, to settle certain disputes as to the composition of the Electoral College, which had led to constant civil strife in Germany. It was provided that the Electors should be seven in number: three ecclesiastical, namely, the Archbishops of Cologne, TrÈves and Mayence; and four lay, namely, the King of Bohemia, the Duke of Saxony, the Count Palatine of the Rhine, and the Margrave of Brandenburg. The Electors became absolute monarchs within their own dominions.

Golden Bull (Hungary).

The Hungarian Charter of liberties, extorted by his nobles from Andrew II of Hungary in 1222. Among other concessions it provided for the annual assembling of the Diet.

Golden Fleece, The.

One of the oldest orders of chivalry, founded at Bruges by Philip the Good of Burgundy, in 1430. When the Netherlands became a Spanish province, the Golden Fleece was made a Spanish order, and, Charles V being also Emperor of Germany, it was claimed by his successors of the House of Hapsburg as an Austrian order. It has thus, at the present day, two branches, and two sovereigns, namely, the King of Spain and the Emperor of Austria.

Golden Horde.

A Tartar kingdom founded in the thirteenth century by a grandson of Genghis Khan. It was the Khans of the Golden Horde who ruled over Russia during the Tartar domination.

Golden League.

A league of the Catholic States of Switzerland, formed in 1586, to defend the Catholic Faith.

Golden State.

The popular name for California, from its rich gold deposits.

Gomarists.

The followers of Gomarus, and opponents of Arminius, the two professors of theology at Utrecht whose differences, in 1604, divided the Dutch Church, and led to the convening of the Synod of Dort in 1618. Gomarus supported the sterner doctrine of Calvin, Arminius favoured a milder and broader form of religious belief.

Good Parliament.

A Parliament of Edward III, which met in 1376. It secured a change in the Council, and brought about the return to power of William of Wykeham and the clerical party. This Parliament is noteworthy as offering the first instance in English history of the impeachment of an officer of State: that, namely, of Lord Latimer, the Chamberlain.

Gordon Riots.

A dangerous outbreak of the London mob, led by Lord George Gordon, in June, 1780, in opposition to the various measures proposed for the relief of the Catholics. London was in the hands of the mob for four days, before the troops were called out and the rioters dispersed.

GÔshi.

In old Japan, a class ranking between the Samurai and the agricultural class. Like the Samurai they were entitled to wear two swords. They owed no allegiance to feudal lords, but farmed their own lands.

Gothenburg System.

A system of licensing which originated at Gothenburg in 1865. All the houses licensed for the sale of alcohol are in the hands of a company and run by salaried managers. All the profits of the company, after payment of five per cent. to the shareholders, are paid into the treasury of the town.

Gotteshausbund.

A league of the nobles and communes of the Engadine, formed in 1367, to protect the liberties of the country from the encroachments of Austria.

Gowrie Conspiracy.

A conspiracy headed by the Earl of Gowrie and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, in 1600, to murder James VI of Scotland. It is supposed that their motive was to avenge the death of their father, who had been executed sixteen years before, though both the brothers had been treated with the greatest kindness by the King. James was decoyed to Gowrie House, in Perth, on the plea of examining a suspicious prisoner, and was attacked in the absence of his suite, and nearly overpowered. He managed to give the alarm, and was rescued by Sir James Ramsay, his page, and others of his followers. The King’s story was at the time doubted by many people, but documents afterwards came to light proving the existence of a plot at least to kidnap the King.

Grace, Act of.

An Act of indemnity passed in 1690, granting a pardon for all political offences committed up to the time of the passing of the Act, the only exceptions to the general amnesty being such of the regicides as might still be living, and about thirty other persons, against none of whom, however, were any proceedings taken.

Grace, Act of.

An Act passed in 1784, restoring the estates forfeited for high treason in 1745, to the descendants of their former owners.

Graces.

A number of concessions granted to Ireland by Lord Falkland in 1628, in return for the aids which were destined to relieve the embarrassed exchequer of James I.

GrÁgÁs.

A codification of the laws of the Norsemen, made by Magnus the Good, King of Denmark and Norway (1035-1047).

Gran Capitan, El.

Gonsalvo of Cordova, the famous Spanish Captain (1453-1515), was so called.

Gran Reunion Americana.

A secret society formed in London about 1800 to aid the movement in the Spanish-American Colonies in the direction of independence. Among its leaders were O’Higgins, Miranda and Bolivar.

Granary of Europe.

The Island of Sicily was formerly so called, owing to its remarkable fertility.

Grand Alliance, 1701.

An alliance formed in 1701 between England, Holland, and the Empire, to maintain the balance of power, supposed to be threatened by the bequest of the Spanish Crown to a French Prince. It was followed by the war known as the War of the Spanish Succession.

Grand Alliance, 1813.

The alliance between Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sweden and Austria, which led to the downfall of Napoleon, and his first abdication in the following year.

Grand Corruption.

A nickname of Sir Robert Walpole, in allusion to his constant employment of bribery to gain his ends.

Grand Old Man.

The sobriquet of Mr. Gladstone, generally abbreviated into G.O.M.

Grand Monarque.

Louis XIV of France was so called.

Grand Rebellion of Virginia.

A rising of the Virginian colonists under Nathaniel Bacon in 1676, against the corruption of the Government and the excessive taxation. After a strenuous resistance they were at last overpowered by the Royalists, and the only result of the rising was that Virginia was deprived of her constitution, and all the old grievances were revived.

Grand Serjeanty.

A form of tenure from the Crown, the condition being the performance of certain service, when called upon, such as acting as Chamberlain or Butler on occasions of state.

Grangers.

See Patrons of Husbandry.

Granite State.

The State of New Hampshire is so called from the extent of the granite formation within its borders.

Grattan’s Parliament.

The free Irish Parliament established in 1782 is known by this name, Grattan having led the agitation which brought about the abolition of the old restrictions.

Graubund.

See Grey League.

Greased Cartridges.

The ostensible cause of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was the issue to the native troops of cartridges for the newly issued Enfield rifle, which were said to be greased with a mixture of cows-fat and hogs-lard. This would be obnoxious to both the Hindoo and the Mohammedan Sepoys, and the story was used by the instigators of the revolt to engender the belief that an attempt was being made forcibly to convert them to Christianity.

Great Commoner.

A sobriquet of the younger Pitt.

Great Contract.

A proposed arrangement between James I and the Parliament in 1610. James offered to surrender all the emoluments of the Crown from feudal tenures, excepting the aids, in return for which Parliament proposed to vote James an annual subsidy of £100,000. The King, however, did not consider the amount sufficient, and the bargain was not concluded.

Great Dauphin.

Louis, the son of Louis XIV of France, was so called.

Great Intercourse.

A treaty signed in 1496 between Henry VII and Philip of Burgundy, stipulating for free commercial intercourse between the dominions of the two sovereigns, and joint efforts for the suppression of piracy. By this treaty also Perkyn Warbeck was expelled from Burgundian territory.

Great Session, Court of.

The old Supreme Court of Wales, abolished in 1831.

Great Storm.

The famous storm of November 26-27, 1703, when the first Eddystone lighthouse was destroyed. Twelve men-of-war and many merchant vessels were wrecked on the coast, and over 8,000 persons drowned. The damage done in London is said to have exceeded two millions sterling.

Great Triad Society.

An important secret society in China, supposed to be pledged to the expulsion of the Manchus and the establishment of a Chinese dynasty.

Greater Bull.

See Ausculta Fili.

Green Bag Enquiry.

A sealed bag of documents laid on the table of the House of Commons by the Government in 1817, and said to contain papers justifying the double suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act which had taken place during the year. A committee, chosen entirely from the supporters of the Government, was appointed to investigate its contents.

Green Mountain Boys.

An organized band of settlers in Vermont, formed in 1773 to resist the encroachments of the New Yorkers, who claimed Vermont as part of the territory of that State under the charter of Charles II.

Green Mountain State.

The popular name of the State of Vermont, U.S.A.

Greenback Party.

A party formed about 1874 in the United States, which advocated the payment of the national debt in paper money. It ceased to exist in 1884.

Grenville Act.

An Act passed in 1770, transferring from Parliament to a Parliamentary Committee the duty of investigating and determining the validity of disputed elections.

Gretna Green Marriages.

These were made illegal by an Act passed in 1856, whereby it was declared that the Scotch marriage law should only apply in cases where one at least of the parties had resided in Scotland for the twenty-one days immediately preceding the marriage.

Grey League.

A league of the landowners and communes of the western part of the Grisons, formed in 1395.

Griffith’s Valuation.

An official valuation of Irish properties, made by Sir Richard Griffith as Commissioner of Valuation under the Irish Valuation Act of 1827. This valuation was the basis of the outcry against the landlords, the figures showing that in many cases excessive rents were being paid.

Grondvet.

The fundamental law or constitution of the South African Republic as adopted by the communities established north of the Vaal in 1849.

Groote Privilegie.

A charter granted to the Netherlands by Mary of Burgundy in 1477, at the Convention of Ghent. It gave the cities and provinces of the Netherlands the right to hold diets at their discretion, and forbade the Duchess or her descendants raising taxes or making war without the consent of the Estates.

Grosbec.

A nickname bestowed on Napoleon III on account of his prominent nose.

GrÜtli, Men of.

The Swiss who, according to tradition, took a solemn oath at GrÜtli, near Lucerne, on November 7, 1307, to free their country from the domination of Austria. The three leaders were FÜrst of Uri, Stauffacher of Schwyz, and Melchthal of Unterwalden.

Guadeloupe Hidalgo, Treaty of.

A treaty between the United States and Mexico in 1848, at the close of the Mexican War. It provided for the cession to the United States of New Mexico and California, in return for a cash payment of fifteen million dollars. The United States also took over the debts of Mexico to American citizens, amounting to about three and a half million dollars.

Guelf Fund.

The indemnity payable to the King of Hanover by Prussia, as compensation for the loss of his sovereign rights. This fund was sequestrated by Prussia in 1868, on the plea that the King was intriguing against her, and was employed by Bismarck in subsidizing the Press. (See Reptile Fund.)

Guelfs and Ghibellines.

The two great parties into which Italy was divided, during the lengthy struggle between the Empire and the Papacy. The Guelfs were the Papal, the Ghibellines the Imperial faction, but there were occasions when this division of parties was not adhered to, as in the case of the Second Lombard League of 1255. These names had their origin in the civil war of 1139, in the course of which the Imperialists under Conrad III were besieging the town of Weinsberg. An attempt was made by the rebels to relieve it, and in the battle which followed the rebels charged with the cry of “Welf,” to which the Imperialists replied with “Waibling.” These names became recognized as descriptive of the two parties, and were later Italianized into the better known forms.

Guerre Folle.

The rising of the Dukes of Brittany and Orleans against the Regent Anne, in 1484, is so called.

Gueux, Les.

A confederacy of patriotic noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands, formed in 1566 under Brederode and Count Louis of Nassau. The Confederacy was broken up in the following year, and many of its members perished on the scaffold.

Gulathing’s Law.

One of the codes of law of the Norsemen. It was codified by Hakon the Good of Norway (934-960), but was probably of far earlier date.

Gulf States.

The name given to the States which border on the Gulf of Mexico, namely, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Gulistan, Treaty of.

A treaty between Russia and Persia, signed in 1813, by which Persia, after a two years’ war of disastrous defeats, surrendered all her possessions north of Armenia, together with the right of navigating the Caspian Sea.

Gunpowder Act.

An Act passed by the Irish Parliament in 1793, forbidding the importation of arms and gunpowder into Ireland, and rendering their possession without a license illegal.

Gunpowder Plot.

A plot to blow up the Parliament House during a sitting of Parliament, the leaders in which were Catesby, Winter and Fawkes, and which was connived at by the Jesuits. It was hoped thereby to bring about a Catholic rising in England. The plot was betrayed by Tresham, one of the conspirators, to Lord Monteagle, his brother-in-law, and the conspirators were either arrested or killed during their flight.