Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 02.djvu/26

LEFT BETTEBTON" 12 BEVIS OF HAMPTON" BETTERTON, THOMAS, English actor, born in 1635; excelled in Shake- spear's characters of Hamlet, Othello, B^-utus, and Hotspur, and was the means of introducing shifting scenes instead of tapestry upon the English stage. He wrote the "Woman Made a Justice," a comedy; "The Amorous Widow, or the Wanton Wife"; "Diocletian," a dramatic opera; etc. Mrs. Sanderson, whom he married in 1670, was also an actress of repute. He died in 1710, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. BETTING, or WAGERING, a con- tract by which two or more parties agree that a certain sum of money or other thing shall be paid or delivered to one of them on the happening or not happen- ing of an uncertain event. At common law, wagers are not per se, void, but statutes prohibiting betting have been passed by many of the States. When one loses a wager and gets another to pay the money for him, an action lies for the recovery of the money. Wagers on the event of an election laid before the poll is open, or after it is closed, are illegal. In horse-racing, simple bets upon a race are unlawful both in England and the United States. In the case even of a legal wager, the authority of a stake- holder, like that of an arbitrator, may be rescinded by either party before the event happens. BETTY, WILLIAM HENRY WEST, better known as the Young Roscius, an English actor, born at Shrewsbury in 1791; first appeared on the stage at the age of 11 in Belfast, and achieved an immediate success. For almost five years he sustained the heaviest parts before crowded and enthusiastic audiences. In 1805 Mr. Pitt adjourned the House of Commons to permit members to witness the boy's Hamlet. He quitted the stage as a boy actor in 1808, but after study- ing for a while at Cambridge, returned to it in 1812. He retired finally in 1824. He died in London, Aug. 24, 1874. BETITLA, a genus of plants, the typi- cal one of the order betulaeese (birch- worts). The B. alba, or common birch, the B. 7mnai, or dwarf birch, and the B. rapyracp.a, or paper or canoe birch, are species included in this genus. BETWA, a river of India rising in the Vindhya range in Bhopal, and, after a N. E. course of 360 miles, joining the Jumna at Hamirpur. BEVELAND, NORTH and SOUTH, two islands in the province of Zeeland, Netherlands, in the estuary of the Scheldt. North Beveland is 13 miles 1— Vol in length, contains about 15,000 acree; in 1532 it was submerged and remained under water for several years. South Beveland is about 20 miles in length, con- tains 84,000 acres; the soil is fertile, producing wheat, potatoes, and fruits. BEVERIDGE, ALBERT JEREMIAH, an American lawyer, born in Highland CO., 0., Oct. 6, 1862; was brought up on a farm; graduated at DePauw Uni- versity; and engaged in law practice in Indianapolis. He entered political life in 1883, and soon won a reputation as an effective orator. On Jan 17, 1899, he was elected United States Senator for In- diana, as a Republican. Soon after his election he went to the Philippines, made a thorough study of conditions, and, on the assembly of Congress in December following, delivered a thrilling speech in the Senate in support of the Adminis- tration's policy, regarding the islands. In 1906 he introduced an agricultural bill calling for a closer inspection of the pack- ing industry. He was a leader of the Progressive party in 1912. Publications: "The Russian Advance" (1903); "The Young Man and the World" (1905) ; "America of To-day and To-morrow" "Pass Prosperity Around" "What is Back of the War" "John Marshall, a biography" (1908) (1912) (1915) (1916) BEVERLY, a city in Essex co., Mass.; on the Boston and Maine railroad; 2 miles N. of Salem. It was founded Oct. 14, 1668; was incorporated as a city, March 23, 1894; contains several villages; and is connected by trolley lines with Salem, Peabody, Gloucester, and Wenham. It is the seat of the New Eng- lang Institute for the Deaf and Dumb; is principally engaged in the manufacture of ladies' boots and shoes, and leather; has considerable shipping and fishery interests; contains high and graded schools, a public library, a National bank, a number of handsome residences belong- ing to Boston business men. Pop. (1910) 18,650; (1920) 22,561. BEVIS OF HAMPTON, the hero of a popular English medieval romance. The son of Sir Guy, Earl of Hamtoun, who was treacherously murdered by Divoun, Emperor of Almayne, he was given by his false mother to some heathen mer- chants to be sold for a slave among the Paynim. By them he was carried to Ermony, where he soon became dear to King Ermyn, and dearer still to his only daughter Josian. His chief exploits were the overthrow of Brademond of Damas- cus, of a monstrous boar, of the giant Ascapard, whom he spared to become II— Cyc