Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume X.djvu/475

 LILBURNE the lilac is largely used for forcing, the clusters of white lilacs being very popular as winter liowers and for holiday presents. The forcing is done in board structures with a strong arti- ficial heat; the flowers develop in the dark, and the varieties are used indiscriminately, as when produced under these conditions the flowers of all are white. LILBURNE, John, an English agitator, born at Thickney Puncharden, Durham, in 1618, died in 1657. He was apprenticed at 12 years of age to a clothier in London, from whom as well as from his father he imbibed opinions in opposition to the existing hierarchy. In 1636 he went to Holland for the purpose of getting Dr. Bastwick's pamphlet against the bishops Erinted ; and he subsequently privately circu- ited this publication, with others of a similar character, in England. Having been betrayed by an associate, he was arraigned before the court of the star chamber, and was condemned, in February, 1637, to receive 500 lashes, to be pilloried and confined in the Fleet prison, and to pay a fine of 500 and give security for his good behavior. His fearless bravery on this occasion when confronted with his judges gained him the name of "Free-born John." Four years later the house of commons de- clared the punishment illegal, barbarous, and tyrannical ; and as a reparation he subsequent- ly received from parliament 3,000 out of cer- tain sequestered estates. Upon the establish- ment of a parliamentary army he enrolled himself as a volunteer, and fought at Edgehill and Brentford. At the latter place he was taken prisoner, and would have been executed as a rebel had not Essex, the parliamentary general, threatened retaliation on royalist pris- oners. Disliking the Presbyterian tendencies of Essex, he obtained a commission as major of foot under the earl of Manchester, and sub- sequently, as lieutenant colonel of dragoons in Manchester's own regiment, fought at Marston Moor. For his intemperate language and pub- lications against Prynne, Lenthal, and other Presbyterian leaders, he was committed to New- gate on a charge of seditious practices. On this occasion Marten interfered in his behalf. He took an active part in organizing the "Lev- ellers," and his pamphlets appealing to the fanaticism of the soldiery were a leading cause of the disaffection which prevailed in the army in 1648-'9. He accused Cromwell and Ireton of a design to usurp the sovereignty ; and for reading to a numerous assemblage at Winches- ter house a pamphlet entitled " England's New Chains," he was in March, 1649, committed by order of parliament to close custody in the tower, whence his political pamphlets issued without cessation. Various unsuccessful at- tempts were made to conciliate him. He was tried in October by a common jury, a special commission of members of parliament being appointed to determine his sentence, and was acquitted, the populace celebrating the event by bonfires all over London. A medal com- LILLE 469 memorating the trial was subsequently struck, having the following inscription: "John Lil- burne saved by the power of the Lord, and the integrity of the jury, who are judges of law as well as of fact." He soon after retired to Holland, but returned to England in 1653, and was again arrested, tried, and acquitted. Finally he settled in Eltham, Kent, and joining the Quakers preached the doctrines of that faith until his death. An account of his trial, entitled "Truth's Victory over Tyrants," was published in 1649. LILLE, or Dsle (originally ride, the island; Flem. Ryssel), a fortified city of France, capi- tal of the department of Le Nord, formerly of French Flanders, 7 m. from the Belgian fron- tier, 58 m. S. E. of Calais, and 127 m. N. N. E. of Paris; pop. in 1872, 158,117. The annex- ation of several adjacent communes in 1858 more than doubled its population. It is trav- ersed by the river Deule and connected with the sea by a canal, and has ample railway com- munication. The fortifications of Lille are considered to be Vauban's master work, and the city is one of the most important of France, both in a military and industrial point of view. It has seven gates, one of which has a triumphal arch in honor of Louis XIV., and contains more than 30 public squares and as many bridges. The h6tel de ville was mostly rebuilt in 1849, but a brick Gothic gate house with towers is part of a palace built by John the Fearless, and inhabited by the emperor Charles V. Part of the building is devoted to a school of art, containing in its collection of drawings by old masters 86 by Raphael and nearly 200 by Michel Angelo. Lille is the seat of the prefect and other departmental authorities, a military divi- sion, a court of primary jurisdiction, a commer- cial court, a chamber of commerce, a lyceum, an academy, a medical and pharmaceutical school, schools of design, sculpture, and architecture, a botanical garden, and several literary societies. Lille rivals English manufacturing towns in the spinning of cotton ; there are more than 30 establishments for the purpose in active operation. Flax is largely grown in the vicin- ity, and the manufacture of linens is the most important branch of industry; ribbons and woollens are also produced ; but the manufac- ture of tulles and cotton lace has greatly de- clined. The tobacco manufactory of the govern- ment produces about 11,000,000 Ibs. annually. The trade in domestic products, and in wine, oil, madder, and brandies, is very brisk. Fairs are held annually in February and December. Part of the site on which the city now stands is said to have been anciently occupied by a cas- tle built by Julius Caesar. The city was found- ed in the 9th century, and it was enlarged and fortified in the course of the llth. Henry III. of Germany seized it in the middle of the llth century, and Philip Augustus of France in 1213. Destroyed by the latter on account of the re- volt of the citizens, Lille was rebuilt by the countess Jeanne. In 1297 it was conquered by