The encyclopedia Britannica;
A dictionary of arts, sciences, literature and general information
TEncyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, and the section shown is taken from Volume IV.
Excerpt:
Bisharin (the ancient Ichthyophagi) are a nomadic tribe of African “Arabs” of Hamitic origin, dwelling in the eastern part of the Nubian desert. In the Middle Ages they were known as the Beja, and they remain the most characteristic of the Nubian “Arabs.” Along with the Ababda and Hadendoa, they represent the Blemmyes of classical writers. Linguistically and geographically, the Bisharin form a connecting link between the Hamitic populations and the Egyptians. Nominally they are Mahommedans, but they preserve certain non‑Islamic religious practices and exhibit traces of animal worship, such as their rule never to kill the serpent or the partridge, both regarded as sacred.
Bishop, Sir Henry Rowley (1786–1855) was an English musical composer, born in London on 18 November 1786. Trained by Francisco Bianchi, he wrote his first piece, Angelina, in 1804. His ballet Tamerlan et Bajazet (1806) was a success, followed by several others including Caractacus. His first opera, The Circassian’s Bride (1809), was lost when Drury Lane burned down after its premiere. Later works such as The Maniac (1810) established his reputation. Bishop composed prolifically for Covent Garden, producing operas, burlettas, cantatas, and incidental music to Shakespeare’s plays. His most enduring success was Clari (1822), which introduced the famous air “Home, Sweet Home.” He later wrote Aladdin (1825) for Drury Lane, but it failed. Bishop served as director of the Philharmonic Society, wrote the popular song “My Pretty Jane,” and was knighted in 1842—the first musician to receive that honour. He died in 1855 in impoverished circumstances, though his glees and songs remain admired for their clear melodies and pure harmony.
Bishop, Isabella (1832–1904), better known as Isabella Bird, was an English traveller and author. Born in Yorkshire, she began traveling at twenty‑two. Her first book, The Englishwoman in America (1856), was based on her correspondence from Canada. She journeyed widely—to the Rocky Mountains, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand—producing lively travel books. Her reputation was secured by her Asian travels: Unbeaten Tracks in Japan (1880), Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan (1891), Among the Tibetans (1894), Korea and Her Neighbours (1898), The Yangtze Valley and Beyond (1899), and Chinese Pictures (1900). She married Dr. John Bishop in 1881 but was widowed in 1886. In 1892 she became the first female fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She continued traveling into her seventies, riding a thousand miles in Morocco in 1901. She died in Edinburgh in 1904.
Contributor Notes
- D. LI. T. stands for Daniel Lleufer Thomas, Stipendiary Magistrate for Pontypridd and Rhondda, formerly Assistant Commissioner and Secretary to the Welsh Land Commission.
- D. Mn. is Rev. Dugald Macfadyen, M.A., Minister of South Grove Congregational Church, Highgate, Director of the London Missionary Society, and author of Constructive Congregational Ideals.
- E. Br. refers to Ernest Barker, M.A., Fellow and Lecturer in Modern History at St John’s College, Oxford, formerly Fellow and Tutor of Merton College, and Craven Scholar in 1895.
- E. Ca. is Egerton Castle, M.A., F.S.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, author of English Book Plates and Bibliotheca Dimicatoria.
- E. C. B. denotes Right Rev. Edward Cuthbert Butler, O.S.B., D.Litt., Abbot of Downside Abbey, Bath.
- E. Es. is Edmond Esmonin.
- E. G. refers to Edmund Gosse, LL.D., noted critic and author (see the biographical article on Gosse).
- E. H. C. is Ernest Hartley Coleridge, M.A., Balliol College, Oxford; editor of Byron’s poems and the letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
- E. H. B. denotes Sir Edward H. Bunbury, Bart., F.R.G.S. (d. 1895), M.P. for Bury St Edmunds (1847–52), author of A History of Ancient Geography.
- E. H. M. is Ellis Hovell Minns, M.A., Lecturer and Assistant Librarian at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and University Lecturer in Palaeography.
- E. K. refers to Edmund Knecht, Ph.D., F.I.C., Professor of Technological Chemistry at Manchester University, author of A Manual of Dyeing, and editor of the Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists.
- E. L. B. is Edward Livermore Burlingame, Ph.D., editor of Scribner’s Magazine, formerly on the staff of the New York Tribune.
- E. Ma. denotes Edward Mansel, Barrister‑at‑Law of the Middle Temple, co‑editor of the Journal of Comparative Legislation.
- E. O. is Edmund Owen, M.B., F.R.C.S., LL.D., Consulting Surgeon to St Mary’s Hospital, London, and to the Children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street.
- E. Pr. refers to Edgar Prestage, Special Lecturer in Portuguese Literature at the University of London, and member of the Lisbon Academy of Sciences.
- E. Wa. is Rev. Edmond Warre, M.A., D.D., D.C.L., C.B., C.V.O., Provost of Eton and author of Grammar of Rowing.
- E. W. B. denotes Sir Edward William Brabrook, C.B., Barrister‑at‑Law of Lincoln’s Inn, Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies (1891–1904).
- F. By. is Frank Brinkley, Captain R.N., Foreign Adviser in Japan, correspondent of The Times, and editor of the Japan Mail.
- F. D. A. refers to Frank Dawson Adams, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.G.S., Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at McGill University, Montreal, and President of the Canadian Mining Institute.
- F. G. P. is Frederick Gymer Parsons, F.R.C.S., Vice‑President of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain, lecturer at St Thomas’s Hospital.
- F. H. denotes Francis Hueffer, Ph.D. (1845–1899), musical critic of The Times, author of The Troubadours, and editor of the Great Musicians series.
- F. J. C. is Sir Francis J. Campbell, LL.D., F.R.G.S., Principal of the Royal Normal College for the Blind, Norwood, London, and writer on the education of the blind.
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It was formerly published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., and other publishers. It was written by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 contributors.
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Download!encyclopedia Britannica Volume IV (1910) PDF
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