Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XV.djvu/17

 SHROPSHIRE SHUMLA waves or other causes, and are themselves de- voured by fishes, aquatic birds, echini, and star fishes. Other species are found in the Medi- terranean. Though the American shrimp re- ceived from Say a different name from that of Europe, there seem to be no well marked specific differences. The long-beaked, almost transparent crustacean, commonly called shrimp in New England, and used sometimes for bait, has been described by Mr. Stimpson as palce- monopsis vulgaris. SHROPSHIRE, or Salop, a W. county of Eng- land, bordering on the counties of Chester, Stafford, Worcester, Hereford, Radnor, Mont- gomery, and Denbigh; area, 1,291 sq. m. ; pop. in 1871, 248,064. The surface is greatly diversified. Toward the frontiers of Wales it becomes wild and mountainous, while the other parts are comparatively level. The Sev- ern flows S. E. between the elevated and the level portions, and has a course within the county of nearly 70 m., all navigable. Its chief tributaries are the Tern and the Teme. There are several small lakes, of which Elles- mere, covering 116 acres, is the largest. There is communication by canals with all the im- portant rivers of England. The soil varies much, and there are considerable tracts of moorland, but much of it is easily worked and yields good crops. Large numbers of cattle are reared. Lead mines are worked to a con- siderable extent. Iron, coal, and limestone are found, and the manufacture of iron is exten- sively carried tm. There are manufactures of machinery, glass, stone-china ware, earthen- ware, and coarse linen and woollen goods. The principal towns are Shrewsbury, the cap- ital, Bridgenorth, Wenlock, and Ludlow. SHROVE TIDE (A. S. scrifan, to absolve in confession), the days immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. These days were so desig- nated because on them, and especially on the last of them, people were wont to confess their sins as a preparation for Lent. Shrove tide or confession tide comprised a whole week in some countries. In most Roman Catholic countries it began on the Sunday be- fore Lent. While the ancient penitential can- ons were in vigor, all adults were enjoined to present themselves to the bishops and priests, in order that private penitents might be shriv- en in private and assigned a day for receiving communion, and that public penitents might be instructed as to what they should do to be reconciled at Easter. This practice continued substantially long after public penance had fallen into disuse. It is mentioned in the homilies of ^Elfric (died about 1005) as being in force in England in his time. Shrove tide soon became a season of feasting and merri- ment, especially Shrove Tuesday, the eve of the long Lenten fast. This day is still called mardi gras (fat Tuesday) by the French, and Shrove tide is known to them as les jours gras. Shrove Tuesday is also popularly called Pancake Tuesday in English-speaking coun- tries, from the common practice of eating pan- cakes on that day, the use of eggs having been formerly forbidden during Lent. SI 1 1 BRICK, I. John Templar, an American naval officer, born in South Carolina, Sept. 12, 1778, lost at sea in 1815. He entered the service as a midshipman in 1806, and was at- tached to the Chesapeake in her affair with the Leopard in 1807. In May, 1812, he was made a lieutenant, and served in the Constitution in her action with the Guerriere in August, 1812, and in the Hornet's with the Peacock in February, 1813. For his services in these engagements he received medals from con- gress. He was second'lieutenant of the Presi- dent when she was captured by a British squad- ron in January, 1815. In that year he was first lieutenant of the Guerriere, and was pres- ent in all the operations against Algiers. On the conclusion of peace, he was despatched with the treaty to the United States in the Epervier sloop of war, which was never heard from after she left the Mediterranean. II. William Branford, an American naval officer, brother of the preceding, born in South Caro- lina, Oct. 31, 1790, died in Washington, D. C., May 27, 1874. He was appointed midshipman in June, 1806, and in May, 1807, joined the sloop of war Wasp. At the beginning of the war of 1812 he was an acting lieutenant on board the Hornet, and was soon transferred to the frigate Constellation, which rendered im- portant services in defence of Norfolk and the navy yard at Gosport. In 1813 he was trans- ferred to the Constitution, in which he made two cruises, and aided in the capture of three ships of war, including the Cyane and Levant (1815). When the Levant surrendered he was ordered to her command. He returned to the United States in May, 1815, second in com- mand of the Constitution, and was awarded a sword by his native state and a medal by con- gress. In December, 1815, he was made se- nior lieutenant of the Washington, 74 guns, un- der Creighton, the first ship of the line which made a full cruise under the United States flag, returning in 1818. He became command- er in 1820 and captain in 1831, and on Feb. 3, 1844, was appointed chief of the naval bu- reau of provisions and clothing. On July 9, 1846, he was appointed to command the Pa- cific squadron; on July 8, 1853, the eastern coast squadron ; and on Sept. 8, 1858, the Bra- zil squadron and Paraguay expedition, from which he returned May 11, 1859. On July 16, 1862, he was commissioned rear admiral. SIIOILA, a walled and strongly fortified city of European Turkey, in Bulgaria, 48 m. W. of Varna and 185 m. N. W. of Constantinople ; pop. about 20,000, exclusive of the garrison. It lies on the N. slope of the Balkan, about midway between its crest and the lower Dan- ube, in a gorge, enclosed on three sides by mountains. The inhabitants of the higher por- tion of the town are principally Turks ; of the lower, Jews, Armenians, and Greeks. There