Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/287

Rh was entrusted with important studies connected with the chemistry of wine. In 1885 he was ap- pointed state analyst of California, with charge of the examination of various food-products. Prof. Rising is a member of the Chemical society of Ber- lin, and of similar societies in this country. His writings include accounts of original investigations in scientific journals, and, in addition to his official reports, he has published the results of his special studies prepared at the instance of the state board of health and other state bodies.

RISLEY, Samuel Doty (riz'-ly), physician, b. in Cincinnati, Ohio. 16 Jan., 1845. He entered the Na- tional army in 1862 as a private, served three years, and attained the rank of sergeant. He was gradu- ated at the University of Iowa in 1868, at the medi- cal department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1870, and settled in Philadelphia. After his appointment as surgeon to the dispensary staff of the Episcopal hospital he abandoned general prac- tice, devoting himself to eye and ear diseases, be- came chief of the dispensary for these diseases on the opening of the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1875, lecturer on ophthalmoscopy in its medical department in 1877, and subse- Siently assistant surgeon there in the same branch, e is a member of various medical societies, and has invented an optometer with perimeter attach- ment for measuring errors of refraction in the human eye and mapping the field of vision, and an ophthalmoscope with cylindrical lenses, securing a wide range of spherico-cylindrical lenses. He has published numerous papers on his specialty, which include "The More Frequently Occurring Forms of Conjunctival Disease" (1877), and the " Mydriaties Compared" (1884).

RISTORI, Adelaide, Italian actress, b. in Cividale, Friuli, 29 Jan., 1822. Her parents, who were comedians, placed her upon the stage at a very early age, and she soon gained reputation in comedy, Soldoni's plays being her favorite pieces. She subsequently turned to tragedy, and attained eminence in that line. After her marriage with the Marquis Giuliano Capranica del Grillo she withdrew from the stage for several years. In 1855 she made her début in Paris, where she met with great success. During the succeeding ten years Ristori made various tours in Europe, visiting all of the principal cities. In September, 1866, she began her first American tour, which lasted until May of the following year, and during 1869 she travelled through South America. In May, 1874, she began a journey around the world, in the course of which she appeared again in South America and in Mexico, going thence to the United States. Her last visit to this country was during the season of 1884-'5, and lasted seven months. During this time, besides appearing in her principal roles, she played in &ldquo;Macbeth&rdquo; with Edwin Booth, and gave also one performance of &ldquo;Mary Stuart&rdquo; at the Thalia theatre, speaking English, while the other actors spoke German. The tragedies in which she especially excels are &ldquo;Queen Elizabeth,&rdquo; &ldquo;Marie Antoinette,&rdquo; &ldquo;Maria Stuart,&rdquo; &ldquo;Myrrha,&rdquo; &ldquo;Francesca de Rimini,&rdquo; &ldquo;Macbeth,&rdquo; &ldquo;Pià dei Tolomei,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Medea.&rdquo; Her autobiography, which is largely made up of analyses of her acting in some of her best roles, has been translated and published under the title &ldquo;Studies and Memoirs&rdquo; (London, England, 1888) and in the &ldquo;Famous Women&rdquo; series (Boston, Mass., 1888).

RITCH, John Warren, architect, b. in Putnam county, N. Y., 22 June, 1822. He came to New York in 1831, and, after spending eleven years in the office of William Hurry, the architect, he estab- lished himself in 1846 in the practice of his pro- fession in New York city, where he has since con- tinued. Among his important works in New York city are the Bank of commerce, the Union dime savings bank, the buildings of the American ex- press company and the Merchants' despatch com- pany. St. Luke's hospital, the State emigrant hos- pital, the Nursery and child's hospital, and the artificial islands and Quarantine hospital in the lower bay. He also designed and erected the bridge that crossed Broadway at Fulton street from 1867 till its removal two years later. During 1847-'8 he edited the " American Architect."

RITCHIE, Alexander Hay, artist, b. in Glas- gow, Scotland, 14 Jan., 1822; d. in New Haven, Conn.. 19 Sept., 1895. He studied under Sir Will- iam Allan, receiving a premium during the first year. In 1841 he came to New York, whence, after several years, he removed to Brooklyn, where he af- terward resided. He was elected an associate of the National academy in 1863 and an academician in 1871, and had exhibited frequently at the academy since 1848. Mr. Ritchie was known both as a paint- er and as an engraver. His works in oil include "Mercy knocking at the Gate" (1860); "Fitting out Moses for the Fair " (1862) ; " Death of Lincoln " (1869); "Baby, who's that!" (1871); and numerous portraits, among which are those of Prof. Charles Hodge (1863) and Dr. James McCosh (1870). Among his numerous engravings, mostly executed in the mezzo-tinto manner, are "Amos Kendall"; "Mercy's Dream " (1850); "George Washington," after a painting by Peter F. Rothermel (1852) ; and " Lady Washington's Reception-Day," after Daniel Huntington: "On the March to the Sea," after Felix 0. C. Darley (1868) ; and " Henry Clay " (1848), "Washington and his Generals," and "Death of Lincoln," after his own paintings. He had en- graved a large number of portraits.

RITCHIE, David, revenue officer, b. in Eng- land in 1836 ; d. in Bay Shore, L. I.. 3 March, 1874. He was appointed to the U. S. revenue service from the District of Columbia in 1862 as 3d lieutenant, and became 1st lieutenant in 1867, and captain in 1871. While in command of the revenue steamer " Moccasin," 30 Aug., 1872, he went to the rescue of the passengers and crew of the steamer " Metis," which was wrecked off Watch Hill, R. I. He and his crew picked up forty-two persons out of a rough and dangerous sea and recovered seventeen dead bodies. For this service Capt. Ritchie and his command received the thanks of congress by joint resolution, 24 Jan., 1873.

RITCHIE, John William. Canadian jurist, b. in Annapolis, 26 March, 1808: d. in Halifax. 13 Dec., 1890. He was the son of Thomas Ritchie, a Nova Scotia judge, of Scottish origin. He was educated at Pictou, and was admitted to the bar of Nova Scotia in 1832, and to that of Prince Edward island in 1836. In 1850 he was a commissioner for consolidating the statutes of Nova Scotia, and subsequently to adjust the tenant's right question in Prince Edward island. In 1864 he became a member of the executive council of Nova Scotia, and in 1867 he was appointed to the Canadian senate. In June, 1870, Mr. Ritchie was appointed judge of the supreme court of Nova Scotia, and in 1873 he became judge in equity. His brother, Sir William Johnstone, Canadian jurist, b. in Annapolis, N. S., 28 Oct., 1813 ; d. in Ottawa, Canada, 25 Sept.. 1892, studied law with his brother, and was admitted to the bar of New Brunswick in 1838. He was appointed queen's counsel in 1854, and was a member of the executive council of the province from October, 1854, until he was appointed puisne judge of