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GOLDEN AGE

778

GOLDSMITH

There have been a number of revolts, the last occurring in 1900-01. Its exports are mainly palm-kernels and oil, india-rubber, gold dust, ivory and monkey skins. Gold is mined by Europeans. In 1910 the output of gold amounted to nearly four million dollars. The climate is very unhealthy, and the inhabitants are chiefly negroes. The chief towns are Cape Coast Castle (population 11,364) and Accra (population 19,585). See The Siege of Kumasi by Lady Hodgson.

Golden Age, a term used to describe a period of great prosperity and happiness. Many nations use it to describe the early ages, in which happiness and innocence were thought to have been universal, the traditions of such a period being very common. In Roman literature the golden age was the period from 250 B. C. to 14 A. D., when Livy, Cicero, Ovid, Terence, Caesar, Sallust, Vergil, Plautus and Horace flourished. The reign of Queen Anne in England is often called the golden age of English literature, with such writers as Dryden, Pope, Addison, Steele, Johnson and Gay. The term is also referred to a future period of prosperity, intelligence and purity — the dream of all mankind.

Golden Fleece, in Greek story the fleece of the ram Chrysomallus, to recover which the famous expedition of the Argonauts set out. The name was given to a celebrated order of knighthood of Austria and Spain, founded by Philip III in 1430. It was instituted for the protection of the church, and the number of its knights was 31, who themselves filled vacancies by vote. In 1713 there was a dispute between Charles VI of Austria and Philip V of Spain for the sole right of conferring the order, but it was settled by giving it to both. The sign of the order is a golden fleece, hanging from a gold and blue enameled flint stone, emitting flames and borne by a ray of fire.

Golden Gate, a passage, one mile wide, forming the entrance to the bay of San Francisco. It is defended by two forts, one outside and one inside.

Gold'enrod, the popular name of a species of Solidago, a genus belonging to the composite family. There are about 85 species of goldenrod, most of which belong to North America. They are autumn bloomers, and their characteristic masses of small yellow flowers are prominent features of autumn vegetation. They are associated in relationship and in season with the asters. Being so distinctly a North American flower, the goldenrod is favored by many for adoption as our national flower. In its various forms it adapts itself to all conditions of soils and climates here existing. Only two or three species belong to Europe, but several of our species are carefully cultivated there in gardens. The plant has a prolonged season of blooming; the conspicuous flowers and the ease with which nectar and pollen are to be obtained from them attract many insects. The stem usually is simple and unbranched, resembling a rod; the leaves are generally sessile, long and narrow; the florets grow in clusters along the stem. The flowers have rays, and all the many kinds save one are yellow. This exception is the whiterod or silverrod, its florets being cream-white.

Goldfinch, a small bird with golden plumage, common in the United States and other countries. It is about five inches long, with a cone-shaped bill; in the summer the male is yellow, with a black crown, and wings and tail black and white. This bird and the yellow warbler are often called the yellow bird. It feeds on seeds, especially of the dandelion, thistle and sunflower, and is called the thistle bird. The goldfinches remain over winter in many parts of the United States, but with duller plumage, being grayish brown above with a yellow crown, the under parts a soiled white, and throat yellow. The name is also applied to an European finch that is common in gardens and is a favorite cage-bird. The latter have the forehead and throat blood-red, and a patch of brilliant yellow on the wings. The goldfinch is a gentle, sociable, happy bird; its call cheery; its summer song a flood of melody.

Goldfish, a small ornamental carp, artificially bred in aquaria throughout the world. It originally was a Chinese fish of an olive-green color, but by breeding golden and silver varieties have been produced. Those that have escaped from the fountains in Washington into the Potomac River have produced young that return to the original greenish hue.

Gold'smith, Oliver, the son of a curate, was born in County Longford, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1728. He went to school in the neighborhood and then to Dublin as a free scholar. Here he took part in a college riot and ran away, but his brother arranged matters for his return and he took his degree in 1749. He was intended for the ministry, but the bishop rejected him, and he set out for America, getting no farther than Cork, however, where $250 was given him to study law in London. This he lost in gambling at Dublin, and set out for Edinburgh to study medicine. Unsuccessful in this, he set forth upon a foot-tour through Holland, France, Germany and Italy, returning to England in 1756. He now tried several occupations, all without success. Here appeared his first work, under an assumed name — a translation of Memoirs of Jean Marteilhe of Bergerac. In 1759 he published his Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe, and began writing for The Bee, The Busybody and the Ladies' Magazine. In 1760-61 appeared his celebrated Chinese Letters,