Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume X.djvu/807

 McMINN ence on the delicate relations between Victor Emanuel and Pius IX., and generally on ac- count of his life-long sympathy with monarchi- cal forms of government, his undisguised pre- dilection for a strongly conservative and mili- tary administration, and his rigorous treatment of the press and of popular manifestations. But in his official capacity he has so far shown a desire to respect the institutions as they temporarily exist under the authority of par- liamentary laws, and in the midst of the tur- moil of the assembly, the clash of rival fac- tions, and the doubts in regard to the ultimate fate of the present political experiment, he has displayed both loyalty and alacrity in guard- ing the vital interests of the nation. His ad- ministration has witnessed the further recov- ery of the country from the effects of the war, the extinction of the indemnity to Germany, and the relief of the territory from the last remnants of German occupation (Sept. 16, 1873). MacMahon put an end to the danger of complications arising from the civil war waged by the Garlists, by recognizing Serrano as chief of the Spanish executive (Aug. 13, 1874) simultaneously with the cabinets of Lon- don and Berlin. Increasing armaments in Ger- many and the reorganization of the French army, joined to the spirit of animosity engen- dered by the war, continue to give to the rela- tions with the German empire an abnormal character ; but the president shows great reluc- tance to disturb the apparently peaceful rela- tions of France with Germany and other na- tions. Mme. MacMahon (born duchess de Cas- tries) is noted for her charities and social tact, and for her intimate relations with the ultra- montane clergy and the old nobility. McMINN, a S. E. county of Tennessee, bor- dered on the S. W. by the Hiawassee river and drained by its tributaries; area, 475 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 13,969, of whom 1,830 were colored. It has an undulating surface and fertile soil. It is intersected by the East Ten- nessee, Virginia, and Georgia railroad. The chief productions in 1870 were 43,925 bushels of wheat, 350,833 of Indian corn, 77,810 of oats, 13,102 of sweet potatoes, 17,858 Ibs. of wool, 124,218 of butter, and 2,249 tons of hay. There were 2,336 horses, 2,653 milch cows, 4,423 other cattle, 9,829 sheep, and 16,552 swine. Capital, Athens. MeMULLEN, a S. county of Texas, watered by the Nueces, Kio Frio, and San Miguel riv- ers; area, 1,092 sq. m.; .pop. in 1870, 230. In the river valleys the land is good and tim- ber abounds. The upland is only adapted to pasturage. In 1870 the county contained 27,523 cattle and 5,030 sheep. MeNAB, Sir Alan Napier, a Canadian statesman, born at Niagara, Feb. 19, 1798, died in Toron- to, Aug. 8, 1862. His grandfather was a royal forester of Scotland, and his father was lieu- tenant of dragoons and principal aide-de-camp to Gen. Simcoe during the revolution. In 1813 Alan became a midshipman on board Sir MACNEIL 801 James Yeo's ship, and accompanied the expe- dition to Sackett's Harbor and other American lake ports ; but he soon abandoned the navy for the army, was present as ensign of the 100th regiment at the capture of Fort Ni- agara, and commanded the advanced guard at the battle of Plattsburgh. After the war he studied law, and practised in Hamilton, acting also as clerk of the journals in the assembly of Upper Canada. In 1829 he was elected a member of the assembly for the county of Wentworth, and after serving three terms was returned by the electors of Hamilton. He was subsequently chosen speaker of the lower house. During the insurrection of 1837-'8 he commanded the militia on the Niagara fron- tier, having the rank of colonel. He routed the insurgents near Toronto, Dec. 7, 1837. A portion of these, under W. L. Mackenzie, then took possession of Navy island in Niagara riv- er, where they were joined by sympathizers from the American side, and commenced can- nonading the Canadian village of Chippewa. Supplies were brought to them from the Amer- ican side by the steamer Caroline. McNab sent over a body of men, who seized the Caro- line in American waters, set fire to her, and sent her adrift over the falls of Niagara. This act, which gave rise to much angry feeling in the United States, was formally sanctioned by the British government. For his services during the insurrection McNab was knighted, July 14, 1838. After the union of the two provinces of Canada (1841) he became speaker of the legislature. He was prime minister under the governorship of the earl of Elgin, and for a short, time under Sir Edmund Head, 1854-'6. He was made a baronet in 1858, and in 1860 a member of the legislative council. McNAIRY, a S. W. county of Tennessee, drained by branches of the Big Hatchie river ; area, 620 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 12,726, of whom 1,500 were colored. The Mobile and Ohio railroad passes through it, and the Mem- phis and Charleston skirts the S. border. The chief productions in 1870 were 44,599 bushels of wheat, 370,431 of Indian corn, 18,362 of oats, 22,028 of sweet potatoes, 13,509 Ibs. of wool, 110,865 of butter, and 3,347 bales of cotton. There were 2,338 horses, 1,149 mules and asses, 2,999 milch cows, 5,561 other cattle, 9,865 sheep, and 21,801 swine. Capital, Purdy. MACNEIL, Hector, a Scottish poet, born at Rosebank, on the Esk, Oct. 22, 1746, died in Edinburgh, March 15, 1818. He served a mer- cantile apprenticeship in Glasgow and Bristol, and passed many years in the West and East Indies, and at sea in the capacity of admiral's secretary. He spent his last years in Edin- burgh in affluence. He published in 1788 a statement concerning the treatment of negroes, and in 1789 his poem of "The Harp," founded on a legend of the Hebrides. During a resi- dence near the field of Bannockburn he wrote in verse " Scotland's Skaith, or the History o' Will and Jean." His later writings include