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LEFT MIBAMICHI 253 MISHAWAKA cidence continually increases in amount till refraction gives place to internal re- flection. According to the varying den- sity of the strata of air the mirage varies in character. MIRAMICHI (mir-a-mi-she'), the sec- ond river of New Brunswick, entering the Gulf of St. Lawrence through Mira- michi Bay; length 220 miles. MIRAMON, MIGUEL, a Mexican military officer; born in the City of Mexico, Sept. 29, 1832; fought at Cha- pultepec in 1847 and commissioned a Colonel. In 1855 joined insurrection and took Puebla; was captured, escaped, and began guerilla warfare. In 1858 when Zuloaga became president he was made a Brigadier-General; in December, 1858, the government of Zuloaga was over- thrown and in January, 1859, Miramon was chosen provisional president of the Conservative government. He was de- feated by the forces of the Liberal party at the battle of Calpulalpam on Dec. 22, 1860, and soon afterward fled to Europe. When the regency was installed in 1863 he returned to Mexico, but his services were declined and he was again com- pelled to flee the country. Later, how- ever, his offer was accepted by Maxi- milian and he returned in November, 1866. He was placed in command of a division which suffered defeat at the battle of San Jacinto, Feb. 1, 1867. Sub- sequently he was captured and shot with Maximilian and Mejia in Queretaro, June 19, 1867. MIRANDA, state of Venezuela, bor- dering N. coast of Caribbean Sea. Mountainous, pastoral, and agricultural. Produce includes coffee, cocoa, sugar- cane, _ maize, cotton, beans, etc. Cattle breeding is on a large scale. Region one of the richest in republic. Capital, Ocumare. Pop. (1917) 175,810. MIRBEAU, OCTAVE, a French nov- elist and dramatist; born at Trevieres 1850. His first novel, "Jean Marcelin," was published in 1885. "Lettres de la Chaumiere" (1886) brought his name in- to prominence. His other novels are "L'Abb^ Jules" (1888); "Sebastien Roch" (1890); "Le Jardin des Sup- plices" (1899) ; "Memoires d'une Femme de Chambre" (1901). His other books are "Les Vingt-et-un Jours d'un Neu- rasthenique" (1902) and "Dans I'Anti- chambre" (1905). For the stage he wrote "Les Mauvais Bergers" and "Les Affaires sont les Affaires." The latter was produced in New York as "Business is Business" in 1905. Died in 1917. MIRIAM, the sister of Moses and Aaron, probably the one "who watched over Moses in the ark of bulrushes (Ex. ii: 4, 5; Num. xxvi: 59; Mic. vi: 4). Died at Kadeshbarnea (Num. xx: 1). MIRROR, a smooth surface capable of regularly reflecting a great propor- tion of the rays of light that fall on it. The dangers arising from mirror mak- ing come chiefly from the use of the quicksilver. A process has been devised by which mirrors are rendered trans- lucent, without impairing their power of reflection. MIRZA, a Persian title, equivalent to "Prince" when it follows the surname, and merely the common title of honor (like "Mr.") when it is prefixed to it. MIRZAPUR (mer-za-por'), a district in the Northwestern provinces, British India; area 5,223 square miles; pop, about 1,200,000, almost all Hindus. Cap- ital, Mirzapur; situated on the right bank of the Ganges; has manufactures of shellac, carpets, and brasswares; pop. about 35,000. MISDEMEANOR, an offense against the laws of a less heinous nature than a crime, such as assaults, nuisances, non- repair of a highway, and the like. MISENO (me-sa'no), a promontory forming the W. side of the Bay of Poz- zuoli (Cumae), 10 miles N. W. of Naples. On it are ruins of the ancient city of Misenum, which Augustus made one of the principal stations of the Roman fleet. MISERERE (miz-ur-a're), a name given to a psalm in the Roman Catholic service. Also a piece of music com- posed to the "Miserere" or 51st Psalm. Also a small projection or shelf fixed on brackets in the under side of the seat of a stall or pew in churches. MISERICORDIA, or MISERICORDE ("mercy"), a narrow-bladed dagger used by a knight in giving the coup de grace or finishing stroke to a wounded foe. Also the name of a society (of laymen) in Florence, founded in the 13th century, who tend the poor sick, carry victims of accidents or disease to the hospitals, and the dead to their burial. MISHAWAKA, a city of St. Joseph CO., Ind., and the county-seat, situated on the St. Joseph river and the Grand Trunk and the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroads. The city is an in- dustrial center with good waterpower, and its products include rubber goods, plows, cement blocks, machine shop products, automobiles and supplies, ci- gars, and leather goods. It contains an orphans' home, a hospital, a public li- brary, several parks, and a high school. Pop. (1910) 11,886; (1920) 15,195. Vol. VI— Cyc— Q