Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 6.djvu/483

Rh sum 1,116,000 had been spent on the railroad previous to the close of 1873, when the further execution of the work ceased. The interest and sinking fund of this loan are far in arrears; the country is bankrupt, and the Government has made no attempt to pay even part of its liabilities. The value of the coffee exported in 1874 was estimated at 892,800; and that of hides, timber, &c., at 20,000. Imports are chiefly of Manchester goods, hardwares, flour, salt, and sugar, chiefly shipped from England ; but trade with France, Germany, and the United States was increas ing in 1875. Only about a fourth part of the trade of the republic passes through Puerto Limon on the Atlantic, to which there is a mule track, the bulk of goods being carried round to the Pacific port of Punta Arenas, whence there is a highway to the interior. Costa Rica was one of the first discovered portions of the American continent ; Columbus touched on its shores in his third voyage, and it is probable that Spanish adven turers first established themselves within it after the fourth voyage of Columbus in 1502. In 1821, when all the pro vinces which formed the kingdom of Guatemala declared their independence of the mother country, two parties, one desiring union with Mexico under the dynasty of Iturbide, the other seeking to form a separate republic, divided opinions in the revolted provinces. In Costa Rica the town of Cartago chose the former ; San Jos6 the latter. The opposing factions met at a place called the Laguna de Ochomogo. The republicans were victorious, and the seat of government was transferred from Cartago to San Jose&quot;. In 1824- Costa Rica joined the federation of the Central American States, but on the dissolution of that union in 1839 became an independent republic. Internal disturb ances and overturnings of the Government have been less frequent in Costa Rica than in the other states of Central America, and its progress has been correspondingly greater. Of recent years, however, the Government has been obliged to maintain an army to guard itself against smouldering revolutions, and at the present time (1877) angry dis cussions are taking place with Nicaragua on the question of boundaries. On the other hand, an attempt is being made to induce the Central American republics to join again in forming one government. See map.

1em  COSTANZO, (about 1507-1591), an Italian historian and poet, was born at Naples about 1507. His great work is Le Istorie del Regno di Napoli dal 1250 fino al 1489, which first appeared at Naples in 1572, and was the fruit of thirty or forty years labour ; but ten more years were devoted to the task before it appeared in its final form at Aquila (1582). It is still one of the best histories of Naples; and the style is distinguished by clearness, simplicity, and elegance. As a poet Costanzo is remark able for finical taste, for polish and frequent beauty of expression, and for strict obedience to the poetical canons of his time.  COSTELLO, (1803-1865), a journalist, novel ist, and miscellaneous writer, was born in Ireland in 1803. He was the son of Colonel J. F. Costello, and choos ing his father s profession, was educated at Sandhurst College, and served for a short time with his regiment in Canada and the West Indies. His literary and artistic tastes led him to quit the army, and he then passed some years (1822-1831) at Paris. During this period he was introduced to Baron Cuvier, and was employed by him as draughtsman in the preparation of his work on comparative anatomy. He next occupied himself in copying illuminated manuscripts in the Bibliotheque Royale ; and to him and his sister belongs the merit of being the first to draw general attention to the beautiful forgotten art, and of thus leading to its revival. About 1832 Costello became foreign correspondent to the Morning Herald, and from this time he was regularly occupied as journalist and con tributor to periodical literature. During the last twenty years of his life he held the post of sub-editor of the Examiner. He wrote A Tour through the Valley of the Meuse (1845), and Italy, from the Alps to the Tiber (1861). Among his novels are Stories from a Screen (1855), The Millionaire (1858), Faint Heart never won Fair Lady (1859), and Holidays with Holgollins (1860). He died in London, September 30, 1865. A few years before his death a pension of 100 per annum was conferred on him.  COSTELLO, (1799-1870), an historical and miscellaneous writer, elder sister of the preced ing, was born in Ireland in 1799. Her father dying while she was young, during the occupation of France by the allies, she aided in the support of her mother and brother by her skill as an artist. At the age of sixteen she pub lished a volume of verse entitled The Maid of the Cyprus Isle, and other poems. This was followed in 1825 by Songs of a Stranger, dedicated to W. L. Bowles. Ten years later appeared her Specimens of the Early Poetry of France, which was illustrated by beautifully executed illuminations, the work of her brother and herself. It was dedicated to Moore, and procured her his friendship as well as that of Sir Walter Scott. Henceforth literature was the labour of her life. Her principal works are&amp;gt; A Summer among the Bocages and Vines (1840); The Queen s Poisoner (or The Queen- Mother], an historical romance (1 841 ) ; Ream and the Pyrenees (1 844) ; Memoirs of Eminent Etiglishivomen (1844); The Rose Garden of Persia (1845), a series of translations from Persian poets, with illuminations by herself and her brother ; The Falls, Lakes, and Mountains of North Wales (1845) ; Clara Fane (1848), a novel ; Memoirs of Mary of Burgundy (1853) ; and Memoirs of Anne of Brittany (1855). She died at Boulogne, April 24, 1870.  COSTER, . See and.  COSTS. When a person brings an action in law against another and succeeds, it is only fair that the defendant, besides paying the sum which he ought to have paid, should also recoup the expenses incurred by the plaint iff in prosecuting a rightful claim. On the other hand, when the action fails, the defendant is justly entitled to be repaid the expenses he has incurred in defending a wrongful claim. That costs should follow the event may therefore be taken as the first principle of the law relating to this subject ; but there are many special circumstances which interfere to modify its application. The action, though successful, may be in its nature frivolous or vexatious, or it may have been brought into a higher court where a lower court would have been competent to deal with it ; and on the other hand the defendant, although he has escaped a judgment against him, may by his conduct have rendered the action necessary, or otherwise justifiable. In such cases the rule that costs should follow the event would be felt to work an injustice, and exceptions to its operation have therefore to be devised. The law of England as to costs, simple as the subject may appear, is in reality highly complicated.