judicious, and he has played with rare discretion the difficult and elevated part assigned to him in this country. He has avoided all connexion with politics, without any sacrifice of his dignity, or any concealment of his opinions on the social duties of life; and of such great questions as the education and advancement of the people, and the encouragement of art, science, and literature, he is an eminent patron. The peculiar perils that beset him, as the Consort of the Queen, were to attempt either too much or too little in public life. Any error in this respect might have subjected him to the charge of ambition or meddlesomeness on the one hand, or of insensibility or indifference on the other; but from these and other dangers, his heart and his intellect have aided in preserving him, and he has gained the respect of all parties in the state, and the general approbation of the people. Scandal has never once breathed upon his name, and he has fulfilled all the duties of a gentleman and a citizen, in such a manner as to set an example to all around and beneath him, and to make the most illustrious home in the country among the most exemplary and the most happy in every relation of life. ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, heir apparent to the British throne, was born November 9, 1841. After receiving his preliminary education from tutors, his Royal Highness studied at Edinburgh and Oxford, and pursued the usual course of study at those universities. His progress and excellent qualities were thus spoken of by Lord Brougham on a late occasion at a public meeting in Glasgow:-"Of the Prince of Wales I have only to say that—as my learned friend Sir David Brewster, the principal of that university, can attest he gained universal respect and esteem among all his teachers and all his fellowpupils. I will only add that, soon after leaving Edinburgh, upon a late occasion in last May, I found that at Oxford he held precisely the same place in the esteem of his teachers and in the esteem of his fellow-pupils." The Prince left England in the summer of 1860, accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle, for the purpose of visiting Canada and the United States. In both countries his reception has been most enthusiastic. Carrying with him the prestige of his august mother, her Majesty Queen Victoria, the loyalty of the Canadians and the generosity of the Americans have at once been evidenced in every stage of his progress. On his return it is intended that he should enter the University of Cambridge. ALBERT, properly called ALEXANDRE MARTIN, a French mechanic, Member of the Provisional Government of 1848, was born at Bury (Oise) in 1815. The son of a small farmer, he served an apprenticeship as a mechanical modeller at the house of one of his uncles; he went to Paris, and was present, when fifteen years old, at the revolutionary outbreak of July, 1830. He founded in Lyons the republican journal, "La Glaneuse," which indulged in severe attacks on the Government. He took an active part in the insurrection of Lyons, and was one of the chiefs of the "Society of the Rights of Man," in that city. In 1840 he founded a popular journal, “L'Atelier.” When the revolution of February, 1848, broke out, Albert, who was working as a buttonmaker, took an active part in the contest. In his double capacity of revolutionary writer and mechanic, he formed a friendship with Louis Blanc, seconding the propositions of the latter by his speeches, writings, and influence. By Louis Blanc's means he was placed on the Provisional Government, and all the proclamations which bore his name had attached to it "Ouvrier," to identify him with the class whom he was supposed to represent. Albert was named representative for the department of the Having received the military education Seine to the Constituent Assembly. always given to the heirs apparent of Arrested as an accomplice or instigator of the attempt of the 15th May, he was arraigned for the crime, but declared the tribunal incompetent, and refused to plead; condemned in consequence, he was sentenced to banishment, but has, instead, been sent to the Penitentiary of Tours. the great military monarchs and autocrats of the Continent; and having, moreover, been adequately instructed in all the branches of polite learning, forming the usual education of European gentlemen, he visited all the provinces of his future empire. He also made several tours in Italy. As hereditary prince, he enjoyed the entire confidence of his ambitious father, the late Emperor Nicholas I., and was familiarized by that monarch with all the details of his policy and system of government. At one period this hereditary prince was upon unfriendly terms with his next brother, the Grand Duke Constantine. Nicholas had not failed to perceive the difference of disposition in his two sons, and so forcibly did the possible results impress themselves on his mind, that he took every means to effect reconciliation between them. On the sudden death of the Emperor Nicholas—a death hastened by the vexation and grief consequent upon his foiled ambition in the attempt to seize upon the Ottoman ALBONI, MARIETTA, a well-known vocalist, was born at Forli, in the Romagna. She received a superior musical education, and made very considerable progress in music in her native town; afterwards studying under Bertollotti and Rossini, at Bologna. She made her début at the Communal Theatre of Bologna, whence she went to the La Scala of Milan; she afterwards visited Germany, Russia, and Hungary. She made her first appearance before an English audience in the spring of 1847, and astonished those who had scarcely heard of her powers, by her superb voice, her careful training, and her accomplishments. Since then she has professionally visited Paris, and nearly all the continental cities of note, gaining lite-empire-Alexander was peacefully prorally "golden" opinions. Her appearances in this country have been frequent. The success of Alboni is of course chiefly to be attributed to the character of her voice and her talent as a singer. Her voice is a contralto of the greatest possi-policy proved him to be a humane and ble extent, flexibility, and purity, and the richness and facility of her vocalization are wonderful. There is no trace in her performances of labour or study; she seems to sing by inspiration; but as an actress she is not so remarkable. By marriage, Mdlle. Alboni, although she retains her maiden name, has become Marchesa di Pepoli. claimed in his stead. One of his first acts was to end the hopeless war in the Crimea, before it assumed still more formidable dimensions, and to ratify the peace of Paris. His next act of domestic enlightened man, as well as a prudent sovereign, who could see and measure the dangers of the future-an act no less beneficent than the emancipation of the serfs of his empire. In this he has had to contend with the prejudices of the higher classes; his firm but conciliatory demeanour has, however, effected the change gradually, and it is hoped that ALEXANDER II. ALEXANDER NI- the opposition hitherto shown will be COLAEWITCH, Emperor of all the Russias, eventually overcome, and that his kind was born on the 29th of April, 1818, intentions may be shared by their preand succeeded his father Nicholas Pav-sent opponents. Alexander has taken lowitch on the 2nd of March, 1855. no active part in the recent struggle of Western Europe, consequent upon the of the Tories to power he was appointed policy and pretension of the Emperor Sheriff of Lanarkshire, an office corresNapoleon, but has contented himself ponding as nearly as may be to that of with watching the current of events. County Judge in England, if the jurisHe married, in 1841, the Princess Marie diction of the latter had extended to all Alexandrowna, daughter of Louis IV., classes of judicial proceedings without Grand Duke of Hesse, by whom he has regard to the amount in dispute, or to had five sons and one daughter. Nicho- the distinction of law and equity, and las Alexandrowitch was born on Sep- to criminal as well as civil business. It tember 8th, 1843. The other sons are was originally intended, doubtless, Alexander Alexandrowitch, Wladimir that the judicial business of Scotland Alexandrowitch, Alexis Alexandrowitch, and Sergius Alexandrowitch. The only daughter is Marie Alexandrowna, Grand Duchess of Russia, born in 1853. ALFORD, THE VERY REV. HENRY, D.D., Dean of Canterbury, a poet and Biblical critic, was born in London in 1810, and educated at Ilminster Grammar School, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He has published several poetic productions, which have been well received, has held several University appointments, and various preferments in the Church. His Greek Old and New Testaments have been carefully prepared. He is also the author of several papers contributed to serials and other periodical publications, and his work entitled "The Poets of Greece" exhibits an intimate and correct knowledge of the language. He has published many volumes of sermons, and critical memoirs on matters pertaining to ancient history. Owing to his eminent talents as a preacher, he was appointed by Lord Palmerston, Dean of Canterbury in 1857. He The con should be divided fairly among the local judges, but Scotch institutions, particularly those connected with the law, rejoice in an immunity from legislative interference, which perpetuates many abuses. Thus the jurisdiction of some Scotch sheriffs is confined to a population of little more than 20,000, while that of the Sheriff of Lanarkshire includes a city of nearly 400,000 inhabitants. has, however, the assistance of Deputy Sheriffs; his court being often one of appeal from their decisions. sequence of this is that Sir Archibald Alison, since the date of his appointment as sheriff, has gone through an immense amount of work in his capacity of judge. Sir Archibald is popularly known as an historian, and his work on the "History of Europe" has been extensively read, and has brought its author into a world-wide reputation. It has been reprinted in America, and translated into many foreign languages. Sir Archibald Alison has published other historical and political works, and is the author of numerous contributions ALISON, SIR ARCHIBALD, BART., to "Blackwood's Magazine," collected an historian, of Scotch parentage and and republished under the general title education, was born at the Parsonage of " Essays." He is firmly attached to House of Kenley, in Shropshire, and the principles of the Conservative party. highly distinguished himself during his Sir Archibald belongs to the most connexion as a student with the Edin-vigorous and masculine type of Scottish bergh University. In 1814 he was intellect. Going through an amount of called to the Scotch bar, and in 1823 business far beyond the powers of an ordiapgrønted an advocate depute, an office nary man, his literary works are thrown which he held until 1830, when the off, currente calamo, without revision, Whigs came into power. On the return without condensation, and without a due cans, and was published in 1809, being amount of attention to consistency, sym- | Historical Dictionary," which contained metry, and elegance of diction. Before notices of about seven hundred Amerirecent changes in the civil procedure of the Scotch courts, Sheriff Alison's merits as a lawyer were not known, from the circumstance that errors in his decisions regarding matters of fact, arising from haste in disposing of the inordinate amount of business thrown upon him, were at that time attributed to defective knowledge of legal principles. His powers as a writer have been underestimated from the same cause. He must not be judged of by the slipshod pages of the "History of Europe," but by some of his minor productions, which entitle him to a place among the best and purest cotemporary writers of English prose. Sir A. Alison has received many public recognitions of his eminent literary services. He was created a Baronet in 1852, is a D. C. L. of Oxford, and he has held the office of Rector in the Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities. Amongst his miscellaneous works not mentioned above are his "Principles of the Criminal Law" (1832), "The Practice of the Criminal Law" (1833), Free Trade and Fettered Currency" (1847), "The Life of the Duke of Marlborough" (1847), and subsequent editions in 1852 and 1855. In 1852 he published a continuation of his " History," being the "History of Europe from the Fall of Napoleon to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in 1852," and in the early part of this year (1860) Sir Archibald published another edition of the entire work. ALLEN, WILLIAM, D.D., an American author, was born at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, January 2, 1784. He entered Harvard College, and graduated there in 1802. He was President of Bowdoin College in 1820, but resigned in 1839. He succeeded the celebrated Dr. Channing as Regent in Harvard College. Whilst filling that office he prepared his "American Biographical and ALMODOVAR, DON ILDEFONSO DIAS DE RIBERA, COUNT OF, a Spanish general and politician, was born at Valence about the end of the last century. He entered as a pupil of the School of Artillery, at Segova, but had scarcely joined the army when he was thrown into the dungeons of the Inquisition by the retrograde party. For his deliverance he was indebted to the revolution of 1820, the cause of which he embraced with ardour. In 1823, when absolutism was again rampant, he sought safety in exile, and did not return to Spain until after the death of Ferdinand VII. When he did return he rapidly rose to the first ranks of the liberal party, and was elected President of the Cortes, at the same time he re-entered the army (1834) with the rank of Field Marshal. In 1836 he became Minister for Foreign Affairs, under his friend Espartero, the Regent, and lost this office on the fall of that statesman in 1843. Since then he has remained faithful to the liberal cause, but has taken no active part in public affairs. ALVAREZ, JUAN, a Mexican general, was born in 1780, in the state of Guerrero, of an Indian family, and educated 12th Century;" in 1841, "The Hister of the French Literature of the Middle Age;" at the same time he furnished a great variety of articles to the "Na tional," and "Revue des Deux Mondes. M. Ampère is one of the best writers et travels of the day. His tours in Ger " many, Italy, Egypt, and North America, have supplied him with observations which his extensive erudition and gene ral knowledge have enabled him to work up into admirable articles for the "Revue des Deux Mondes," His contributions | have been collected and published in 1833 and 1850, under the title of “Lit térature et Voyages." in the midst of a population scarcely influenced by the habits of civilized life. In the southern provinces of Mexico he has succeeded in forming an influence among the half-civilized population, which almost resembles that of an independent monarch. In 1854, when it was asserted that Santa Anna aspired to the Presidency, Alvarez mustered his troops and raised the standard of insurrection. He was joined by other leaders, and Santa Anna in the following year was obliged to leave the country. On the 16th of September following a provisional government was formed, meeting in October at Cuernavaca, in the midst of a village protected by bands of Indians. ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN, & | Alvarez was appointed President, and Danish poet and novelist, was born on Comonfort Minister of War. A few the 2nd of April, 1805, at Odense. His weeks later Alvarez, in spite of a pre- position in early life was by no means diction that he would perish in Mexico, calculated to foster the talent which he proceeded thither. His first measures subsequently exhibited. His parents were aimed at the excessive privileges were in very poor circumstances, and on of the army and clergy, the most im- the death of his father, young Andersen portant of which he abolished by a decree was left almost destitute. He, however, dated 24th November of the same year. evinced an early taste for the drama, This was his most important act while and even in his childish amusements President. Shortly afterwards he handed would compose little plays, in which he over the office to Comonfort, on being and his companions were the juvenile paid the sum of 200,000 piastres. His mother was desirous of now resides at Acapulco in a state of bringing him up to a trade, but the bent complete independence. AMPERE, JEAN JACQUES ANTOINE, bear such trammels. By an accident he of his mind would not permit him to a French writer, traveller, and Member became connected with some players, of the Institute, was born at Lyons, on who gave him a very humble part in a the 12th August, 1800. He is son of the play they were performing. This cir celebrated scholar and physicist. He cumstance fixed the future destiny of studied under the eye of his father. At Andersen, and in 1819 he went to an early age he was one of the principal Copenhagen to seek his fortunes in any contributors to the "Globe," and the position which accident might open out "Revue Française," established by Gui- to him. Like many other geniuses, he zot to oppose the government. In 1830 found that it was difficult to rise from he acted as assistant and successor at obscurity on slender means. the Sorbonne to M. Fauriel and M. ever, was fortunate in at last attracting He, howIn 1837 he obtained the the notice of a musician, who, having chair of French Literature at the Col- taken a fancy to Andersen, obtained lege of France. In 1831 he published sufficient influence to place him in a the "History of Poetry;" in 1839, "The gymnasium, where his abilities soon Literary History of France before the brought him many friends, and thus Villemain. He actors. |