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ISAAC

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ISCHIA

work was A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, and in it he made use of the quaint manners arid customs still to be seen in the New York of his day. He engaged in business with his brother, the while con-t i n u i n g his literary labors, and, on the faii-, ure of the firm while he was in England, turned to his pen for a liveli-

York, and Irving made an effort to sell the copyright to Murray and, afterwards, to Constable, the English publishers. Finally, on Sir Walter Scott's recommendation, Murray paid $1,000 for the book, afterward increasing it to $2,000. Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Westminster Abbey, among the Sketches^ made his reputation. His studies in Spanish history, at the invitation of Everett, then American minister to Spain, resulted in the writing of the History of Columbus^, Conquest of Granada, the Alhambra and Life of Mahomet. To these were subsequently added the Life of Goldsmith and the Life of Washington, his largest work. In 1829 he was secretary to the American legation in England and in 1842 minister to Spain. His home on the Hudson, near Tarrytown, was in the region which his pen had made classic. Here he lived at "Sunnyside," with his nieces. He died on Nov. 28, 1859. See Life by P. M. Irving and Memoir by Charles Dudley Warner.

Isaac (i'zak) ("he will laugh"), a Hebrew patriarch and pastoral chief, the son of Abraham and Sarah and half-brother of Ishmael. The incidents of his life, as recorded in Genesis, are well-known.

Isabella (iz'd-bel'a) of Castile, queen of Spain, was born on April 23, 1451, being the daughter of King John II of Castile. In 1469 she married Ferdinand V, surnamed the Catholic, king of Aragon. On the death of Henry IV, her brother, in 1474, she ascended the throne of Castile and Leon. Isabella was a woman of remarkable energy and talent, beautiful and possessed of winning grace, although at times proud and ambitious. She was always present in person at state meetings, and her name was placed with that of Ferdinand at the end of all official documents. She died on Nov. 26, 1504. History relates that Columbus, when he applied at the court of Spain for help in his projected voyage of discovery, failed to receive the sanction or aid of Ferdinand and the learned council. Columbus, discouraged, was about to leave for France, when he suceeded in interesting Isabella in his plan. The king remained indifferent,

and pleaded want of funds. The queen in her earnestness exclaimed: "I pledge my jewels to raise the money." Columbus succeeded at last, and to Isabella belongs the honor.

Isabella II, Maria Isabel Luisa, ex-queen of Spain, was born at Madrid in 1830. She was the oldest daughter of Ferdinand VII and Maria Christina. In her third year, by the death of her father, she became queen, her mother being made queen-regent. An insurrection in favor of her uncle, Don Carlos, who sought the crown, at once broke out. For seven years war was carried on with great violence, but was at length checked by the aid of Britain, France and Portugal. On Nov. 10, 1843, sne became queen in her own right, though nominally ruler from 1833, and shortly afterwards married her cousin. The chief events of Isabella's reign were efforts on the part of the United States to purchase Cuba; successful war with Morocco; quarrels with Chile and Peru. The nation became more and more impatient under the despotic rule of the last years of Isabella's reign; and, at length, in September, 1868, a revolution broke out, whicl, ended in the formation of a republican government. Isabella fled to France. In 1870 she renounced her claim to the throne in favor of her son, Alfonso XII, who was proclaimed king in 1874. The latter died in 1885, and was succeeded by his son (born in 1886) as Alfonso XIII, the queen-mother (Marie Christina of Austria) acting as regent during the minority of her son.

Isaiah (l-zafya) ("salvation of God"), the grandest of all Hebrew prophets, was the son of Amos. He spoke his oracles in the reigns of Kings Urziah Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah, about 740 B. C. Very little is known of Isaiah's life. He seems to liave resided at Jerusalem in the vicinity of the 'cmpie was married, and had three son, who were given, he says, "for signs and onders in Israel." The period of his death is noc known; but by Jewish legend he was sawn asunder by order of King Ma-nasseh. It this be true, Isaiah was nearly 100 years old at the time of his martyrdom. His writings, found in the book that bears his name, are very rich in style and variety. Some people say that Isaiah 40-66 was not written by Isaiah. See Prophets of Israel by Robertson Smith and Isaiah by Driver.

Ischia (es'ke a) (the ancient Jinaria), an island on the northern side of the entrance to the Bay of Naples, six miles from the mainland. Its area is about 26 square miles, and its population 22,170. The island has long been a favorite summer resort. It is noted for the excellence of its mineral waters and numerous springs, the great richness of its soil, the exquisite flavor of its fruits and wines and the enchanting character of its scenery. Its highest elevation is the volcano, Mount Epomeo, 2,618 feet above

WASHINGTON  IRVING