Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 7.djvu/581

Rh and Mark the cholevic ; and it is characteristic of Dürer s thought that Peter is put in ths background, studying off a book held open by John, the favourite evangelist of the Reformation and of Luther; in this representation of John some have recognized the features of Melanchthon; its likeness to the poet Schiller is a coincidence much more obvious. These various classes of work were carried on in the face of failing health. In the canals of the Low Countries Diirer had caught a fever, of which he never shook off the effects. The evidence of this we have in his own written words, as well as in a sketch which he drew to indicate to some doctor with whom he was in correspondence the seat of his suffering; and again, in the record of his physical aspect the shoulders already somewhat bent, the features somewhat gaunt, the old pride of the abundant locks shorn away which is preserved in a portrait engiaved on wood just after his death, from a drawing made no doubt not long previously. That death came suddenly, so suddenly that there was no time to call his dearest friends to his bedside, on the night of the 6th of April. Diirer was buried in the vault belonging to his wife s family, but since disturbed, in the burying- ground of St John at Nuremberg. He left a name that will be honoured by the latest posterity, and a place that nothing could till in the affections of his noblest contem poraries. This is the grave and feeling Requiescat of Luther, in a letter written to their common friend, Eoban Hesse : - &quot; As for Diirer, assuredly affection bids us mourn for one who was the best of men, yet you may well hold him happy that he has made so good an end, and that Christ has taken him from the midst of this time of troubles, and from yet greater troubles in store, lest he, that deserved to behold nothing but the best, should be compelled to behold the worst. Therefore may he rest in peace with his fathers : Amen.&quot;

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1em 1em 1em  D’URFEY,, more generally known by the familiar name of Tom d'Urfey, an English satirist and song writer, was descended from a family of French Huguenot refugees, and was born at Exeter. The year of his birth is unknown. He was originally bred to the law, which he forsook for the more congenial employment of writing plays and songs. His humour both in writing and in singing the latter procured him access to the highest circles, and made him a favourite even at court. Addison in the Guardian (No. 67) relates that he remembered more than once to have seen Charles II. leaning on Tom d Urfey s shoulder and humming over a song with him. He was a strong Tory and Protestant, and it is said that his songs had consider able influence in strengthening the cause of his party. Hia dramatic pieces, numbering upwards of thirty, were well received, but were so licentious that none of them kept the stage after the dissolute period for which they were written. D Urfey, by imprudence and extravagance, became poor as he grew old ; and having prevailed on the managers of the playhouse to act his comedy of the Plotting Sisters for his benefit, Addison wrote the above mentioned paper in the Guardian, with another (No. 82) giving a humorous account of his eccentricities, in order to procure him a full house. He died at an advanced age iii. His songs, pub lished in 6 vols., under the title of Pills to Purge Melan choly, were reprinted in fac-simile in.   DURHAM,, one of the northern shires of England. The county is triangular in form, its eastern limit or base being a coast-line exposed to the German Ocean It is separated from Northumberland chiefly by the Tyne and its tributary the Der went, and from Yorkshire by the Tees. Towards its western extremity it joins Cumberland and Westmoreland. Its greatest length is 45 s, and its greatest breadth 36 s; and it contains an area of 1012 , or 647,592 s. It is divided into four wards, Chester and Easington in the north, and Darlington and Stockton in the south. There were formerly three outlying portions of the county, shown in old maps, and known as North Durham (including Norhamshire and Islandshire), Bedlingtonshire, and Crayke. These were attached to the county as having formed parcels of the ancient &quot; patrimony of St Cuthbert,&quot; of which the land between Tyne and Tees was the chief portion.

Physical Features.—The western angle of the county is occupied by spurs of the Pennine chain, and hence is mountainous, with black, naked, and barren regions, from, which issue numerous streams flowing to the sea. The elevations vary from 1000 to 2196 feet. There are some beautiful and fertile valleys in the eastern and central parts, pleasantly varied with hill and dale, and alternately appro priated to corn and pasture. Extensive tracts, principally in the western part of the county, are waste, but rich in minerals. In the southern districts the area of cultivation 