Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 01.djvu/133

ALBEMARLE SOUND with temporary authority over Samar and Leyte Islands, for the purpose of occupying and opening to trade the various hemp ports. He had several sharp fights to gain possession of his new command. Pop. about 250,000.

ALBEMARLE SOUND, an inlet near the N. E. extremity of the State of North Caroiina, running inland for 60 miles, with a breadth of from 4 to 15 miles. It has no great depth of water, and a narrow island at its mouth prevents the sound from being affected by the tides. Into its upper extremity the Roanoke and Chowan rivers debouch. It is connected by channels with Chesapeake Bay and Currituck and Pamlico Sounds.

ALBERONI, GIULIO (al-ber-ö´nē), cardinal and minister of the King of Spain, was the son of a gardener. Born in 1664, at Firenzuola, a village of Parma, and educated for the Church, his first office was that of bell-ringer in the Cathedral of Piacenza. Possessed of uncommon talents, he soon became canon, chaplain, and favorite of the Count Roncovieri, and Bishop of St. Donnin. The Duke of Parma sent him as his minister to Madrid, where by cunning and intrigue he became privy councillor, prime minister, and cardinal. He engaged himself with schemes for the benefit of the Spanish nation; but, being undermined by foreign influence, he was deprived of his posts and banished to Rome. Died at Placentia, 1752.

ALBERT I., Duke of Austria, and afterward Emperor of Germany, was son of Rudolph of Hapsburg, who founded the Austrian imperial dynasty. He was crowned in 1298, after defeating and slaying his competitor, Adolphus of Nassau, and was assassinated in 1308 by his nephew John, son of the Duke of Suabia, whose paternal estates he had seized. The story of William Tell is connected with Albert I.

ALBERT II., King of Hungary and Bohemia and Duke of Austria, succeeded Sigismund as Emperor of Germany in 1438, He held a great diet at Nuremberg, in which the Vehmic or secret courts were suppressed. He died the following year, as he was preparing to take the field against the Turks, who were ravaging Hungary.

ALBERT I., King of the Belgians, born April 8, 1875, son of Prince Philippe de Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and of Flanders, who died Nov. 1, 1905. At the death of his uncle, Leopold II., Dec. 17, 1909, Albert ascended the throne. His character has proved to be in complete antithesis to that of his predecessor, whose profligate and shameless life had been the scandal of Europe. His family and public life has been without reproach, and his winning qualities have won him the esteem and affection of his people. On Oct. 2, 1900, he married Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria. He has three children, of whom Prince Leopold, born Nov. 3, 1901, is the heir to the throne. The reign of Albert prior to the outbreak of the World War in 1914 was one of marked progress and prosperity. The Socialist party was strong in Belgium, and labor troubles were frequent and at times serious, but the tact of the king was successful in composing them. When the war broke out, the king placed himself at the head of his army, and throughout the conflict shared the hardships of his men. When the overwhelming forces of the Germans had taken possession of the little kingdom, the government was removed to Havre, France. In the four years of conflict that ensued the king exhibited military qualities of a high order, and played a prominent part in the 1918 operations that compelled the Germans to evacuate his kingdom. After the armistice was signed he made a triumphal entry into Ghent, Brussels, and other cities of Belgium, and was received with the wildest rejoicings. In 1919 he visited the United States with his wife and the heir apparent, and everywhere was met with enthusiastic welcome. See WORLD WAR; BELGIUM.