Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/284

AIDE-TOI ET LE CIEL T'AIDERA. (q.v.), as Guizot, who was president for some time, Duchâtel, Duvergier de Hauranne, Dubois, Remusat, Thiers, Cavaignac, etc. Le Globe was the organ of the association, and afterward Le National. The society had a great .share in bringing about the revolution of July, 1830. and was at first countenanced by the new government; but after a short time it was dissolved (1832).

AIDIN, i-den'. or Guzel-hiss.^r. An important town in the Turkish Vilayet of Aidin (21. .500 square miles: population, 1.39(5.500), in Anatolia. It is on the river Meander, about 56 miles southeast of Smyrna, with which it is connected by rail (Jlap: Turkey in Asia, B 4). It is picturesquely situated near the ruins of ancient Tralles, and has well shaded streets, fine bazaars, and a number of mosques. It has an extensive trade in flgs and cotton. Its population is about 36,000.

AID'-MA'JOR. An adjutant in the French army. See .-:i,iuta.t.

AIGNER, a'nyfi', Joseph Matthaus (1818- 86). An Austrian painter. He was born at Vi- enna and studied under Anierling. He took part in the revolution of 1848, but subsequently was pardoned. He was particularly known for his portraits, including those of Grillparzer, Feueh- tersleben, Lenau, and Rubinstein.

AIGRET, a'^ret or fi-gret', or Aigrette (Fr. ). A small white heron or egret. (See Egret.) Hence, a plume or erect ornament of feathers, originally the long filiform tuft of feathers that spring from the back of the egret in the breeding-season, and arranged to adorn the hair, a bonnet, headdress or helmet, or something similar to this, especially wlien jeweled. "A" small bundle of these feathers has been used among Eastern nations as an ornamenr. and worn in the front of the turban, caftan, or other headdress by personages of high rank, be- ing occasionally mounted with, or its form imi- tated by, precious stones; and the gift of an egret so bejeweled has been one of the most distinguished marks of honor that could be be'stowed by an Oriental ruler upon a favorite minister or successful leader." The fashion has spread to Western nations and given rise to various decorations on military hats, and for women's hair and bonnets. The demand of millinery, indeed, during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, caused such inroads upon the breeding colonies of white herons in all parts of the world that these birds are everywhere gi-eatly diminished in numbers, and in some regions, "as in Florida, are almost exterminated. As the desired plumes grow only during the breeding season, the killing of a bird for their sake usually means the death of a family and the rapid depopulation of the colony. From' this point of view, and remembering that gieat cruelty is likely to accompany the obtain- ing of the plumes, the statement of the annual sates of aigrets in London and other great mar- kets is appalling to all persons of a humane mind and delicate taste.

AIGUEBELLE, ag'bel'. Palt- Alexandre Xeveie r)' I is:) 1-7.5). A French naval officer who entered the Chinese army. He distinguished him- self against the Taipings in 1862-04. commanded the Fianco-C'hinese corps, and captured Hang- chow-fu, for which service he was made a mandarin of the first class. He established the arsenal at Fu-chow-fu and taught the Chi- nese to construct European vessels, the first Chinese man-of-war being launched under liis su- pervision in 1869. In that ^-ear he was made Grand Admiral of the Chinese fleet.

AIGUES-MORTES, ag'mort' (anciently Lat. Aqua: Uortua, Dead Springs). A small town in France (population. 1901. 4223), in the Depart- ment of Gard, which claims to have been founded by the Roman Marius (Map: France. L 8). It is situated in an extensive marsh impregnated with sea salt, and is about three miles from the ilediterranean, with which it is connected by a canal. It was from Aigues-Mortes that St. Louis sailed in 1248. and again in 1270. for the Crusades — a proof that the sea then reached this spot. In 15.38 Francis 1. had an interview at Aigues-ilortes with Charles V.

AIGUILLE, a-gwel' (Fr., a needle). The name given to certain sharp mountain peaks in the Alps often covered with ice and snow, and so called from their resemblance to needles. jVround Chamounix a number of the peaks bear this name. The term is also applied to an in- strument used by engineers to pierce a rock for the reception of gunpowder in blasting.

AIGUILLETTE, .I'gwil-let' (from Fr. aiguil- lettc. a point, pointed tag; diniin. of aiguille, needle). A detachable portion of a military dress uniform consisting of bullion cords and loops and worn on the right shoulder. In the United States Army it is now worn by officers of the adjutant-general's and inspector-general's de- partments, chief and assistant of office of rec- ords, aids-de-camp, and adjutants of regiments. Aids-de-camp and military secretaries who have increased rank wear it with their regimental and corps uniform to indicate their being on stafl' duties.

AIGUILLON, a'gwe'yo.x', Armaxd de Vigxerot Di pi.essis Richelieu. Due d' (1729-82). A French statesman, minister of foreign aflfairs under Louis XV. (1771-74). He became governor of Brittany in 1754. His despotic administration of his province finally brought upon him the condemnafion of the Parliament of Rennes. But Madame du Barry, the mistress of Louis XV., not only saved him from punish- ment, but finally brought about his promotion as minister. He was entirely incompetent, and Louis XVI. replaced him by Vergennes.

AIJALON, a'ja-lon. See Ajaxox.

AIKA'WA, l-kii'wa. A town of Japan, situ- ated on the western coast of the island of Sado (Map: Japan, F 4). It is poorly built but very important on account of the gold and silver mines situated close to it. Its population is over 15,000.

AIKEN, a'ken. A beautiful town and country seat of Aiken Co., South Carolina, on the South Carolina and Georgia railroads, 17 miles east of Augusta (Map: South Carolina. C 3). It has a fine location, at an elevation of 600 feet above sea-level, in an agricultural and pine forest region, and the dryness and comparative mildness of its climate have combined to make Aiken an important health resort. Aiken is the seat of Aiken Institute, for white students; the Schofiehl Xormal and Industrial School and Immanuel Training School, for negroes. Aiken was first incorporated in 1835, and is governed under