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HANDEL

834

HANNIBAL

of the human arm, but those of the wrist and hand have been reduced and consolidated; there usually is a rudiment of the thumb, the metacarpal and phalanges of the first finger being well-developed, and the rudiment of the second finger. In the horse more extensive changes have taken place, so that the fore limb rests upon the extreme tip of the third finger; the corresponding metacarpal bone is large and firm. There also are two rudimentary bones (the splint bones) representing the second and fourth bones of the palm of the hand, that formerly were fully developed and had jointed digits corresponding to ringers. See FOOT.

Handel (han'del}, George Frederick, a famous musician and composer, was born at Halle in Saxony, Feb. 23,1685. His passion and genius for music were shown at an early age. When about eight, he was placed under Zachau, organist at Halle, and at nine he was master of the organ, violin and other instruments, and wrote a musical composition every week. His first opera, Almira, was brought out in January, 1705, and others followed rapidly. Two years later he went to Italy, where he spent three years and enjoyed a great triumph, visiting Florence, Rome, Naples and Venice. He then visited London, and in 1712 took up his residence there. In 1720 the Royal Academy was founded in the Haymarket, "to secure a constant supply of operas by Handel, to be performed under his direction." Here he remained for 17 years, and produced a great number of operas. His health broke down in 1737, and his career as manager and composer of operas was ended. After resting for a time, he recovered his health, and from this time gave his life to the production of English oratorios. This departure led to his greatest triumph. Saul, Israel in Egypt and the Ode for St. Cecilia's Day were all produced in 1739. The Messiah appeared in 1742, followed by many others during the next ten years. Handel's music had now taken wider possession than ever of the public, bringing him both fame and money. In 1750 he went abroad, and after his return wrote Jephthah, his last oratorio. In 1752 he had lost his sight almost entirely. He died at London, April 14, 1759. See Life by Rockstro.

Hang=Chow (han-kou') or Hangchau, the capital of the province of Che-kiang in China, is situated on the left bank of the Tsien-tang River, where it empties into the Bay of Hang-Chow. It is one of the great commercial, religious and literary centers of China; has clean, well-paved streets and many magnificent temples; and is a principal seat of the silk-manufacture. It formerly had a population of 2,000,000, but during the Taiping rebellion, in 1861, it was laid in ruins, and its present population is not more than 826,000.

Hang'ing Gardens of Ba'bylon. These were once reckoned among the wonders of the world. They are supposed by some to have been built by the imaginary Queen Semiramis, while by others they are ascribed to Nebuchadrezzar. They are said to have formed a square with an area of four acres, and rose in terraces supported on arches of masonry to a height of 75 feet. They were watered from a reservoir built at the top, which was supplied from the Euphrates. They were filled with trees, flowers and fountains; banque ting-rooms were distributed throughout; while the view of the city and surrounding country was extensive and magnificent.

Han'na Marcus Alonzo, U. S. senator, was born at New Lisbon, O., Sept. 24, 1837, and removed to Cleveland in 1852, where he lived until his death in 1904. He was educated at Western Reserve College. Early engaging in business he rose to prominence, becoming head of M. A. Hanna & Co. and president of the Union National Bank, of the Cleveland Railway Co. and of Chapin Mining Co., Lake Superior. He was elected to the U. S. senate in 1897 an(i i*1 J904f anci was a forceful and influential member.

Han'nay James, D.C.L., historian, was born at Richibucto, New Brunswick, April 22, 1842. He was called to the bar in 1866, was reporter of the supreme court from 1867 to 1873, editing two volumes of its reports, and was thereafter occupied for many years in editing newspapers in New Brunswick and the United States. He has been official reporter of the provincial parliament since 1901. Besides many minor articles he has published History of Acadia, The History of the Loyalists, The History of New Brunswick and The History of the War of 1812.

Han'nibal (meaning the grace of Baal), was the son of the great Carthaginian general Hamilcar, and was born 247 B. C. When his father went on his great campaign into Spain, he took Hannibal, then in his ninth year; and it is said that before starting he led him to an altar and bade him swear eternal enmity to Rome. For nine years he was trained under Hamilcar in Spain. After the death of his father he served under his brother-in law, Has-drubal, until the death of the latter, 221 B. C., when the army with one voice chose Hannibal as their general. Determined to carry out his father's purpose to fight Rome on her own soil, Hannibal marched from New Carthage in 218 B. C. with 90,000 foot, 12,000 horse and 37 elephants. Crossing the Pyrenees, he was met at the Rhone by an army of Gauls. After defeating them, he crossed the Alps in 15 days in the face of obstacles which were overcome by matchless skill and courage. Thousands of his troops perished in the