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ANCHORITE. drove some into the solitude of deserts; afterward, the glory of a life spent in loneliness and austerity became a substitute for that of the martyr's death. The general corruption of society also caused many earnest and well-meaning persons to shun it. The ascetics (see ) set the example of retiring from cities to rural districts and villages; the anchorites went further, and sought to withdraw themselves altogether from mankind; and if the reputation of sanctity which was connected with a life of solitude constituted its chief attraction to some, there can be no doubt that many chose it in the hope of thereby attaining to real sanctity. Many of the anchorites voluntarily subjected themselves to the vicissitudes of the weather, without proper habitation or clothing, restricted themselves to coarse and scanty fare, wore chains and iron rings, and some dwelt on the top of pillars for many years (see ) as extraordinary and conspicuous examples of mortification and penance, of whom the most famous is Saint Simeon Stylites in the early part of the fifth century. Saint Antony (q.v.) was one of the first and most celebrated anchorites. The anchorites were not always able to preserve their solitude unbroken. The fame of their sanctity drew many to visit them: their advice was often sought; and the number of their visitors was much increased by the belief that diseases, particularly mental diseases, were cured by their blessing. Sometimes, also, they returned for a short time to the midst of their fellow men to deliver warnings, instructions, or encouragements, and were received as if they had been inspired prophets or angels from heaven. The number of anchorites, however, gradually diminished, and the religious life of convents was preferred to that of the hermitage. The Western Church, indeed, at no time abounded in anchorites, like the Eastern, and perhaps the reason may in part be found in the difference of climate, which renders a manner of life impossible in most parts of Europe that could be pursued for many years in Egypt or Syria.

AN'CHOR-WATCH. A portion of the crew kept on deck during the night when at anchor. During prolonged heavy weather, or unfavorable conditions, the anchor-watch may be kept on deck during the day. In the merchant service one or two men form the ordinary anchor-watch; in the navy, four to ten; though in either case these numbers may be increased under special circumstances. The duties of the anchor-watch are to veer chain (see ), if occasion demands it, spread or take in awnings, cover hatches, secure loose articles if the wind and sea rise; and, in fact, act as a general guard when the greater part of the crew is asleep.

ANCHOVY, rm-chr/vi (Of uncertain origin, perhaps literally a dried or pickled fish, from Basque antzua, dry). A small fish (Engraulis encrasicholus) belonging to the Stolephoridæ, a family closely related to the herring. It resembles the latter in general appearance, but is thicker in proportion, and is about six inches in length, having a pointed head with the upper jaw projecting, and a widely forked tail. It abounds in the coast waters of southern Europe, and especially in the Mediterranean, where extensive fisheries are carried on, particularly near Leghorn. They approach the coast from the oceanic depths to spawn in early summer, and are caught in seines, to which they are attracted by strong lights in the fishing-boats. Anchovies are salted in small barrels, and have been much used for sauces, etc., since ancient times. There are several nearly related species both on the Atlantic and Pacific coast of America and in other countries, where they also form an important food-preparation.

ANCHOVY (inclnVvil PEAR (so named from being pickled. See ), Grias cauliflora. A plant of the order Myrtaceæ. It grows in boggy places in the mountainous districts of Jamaica and other West Indian islands, attains a height of fifty feet, and has great oblong leaves two or three feet in length. The flowers are numerous, on short peduncles; they are large, whitish, and sweet-scented; the corolla consists of four petals, and the calyx is four-cleft. The fruit is an ovate drupe of a brownish russet color, crowned with the persistent calyx; the stone is marked with eight ridges. This fruit is pickled and eaten like the East Indian mango, and resembles the mango in taste.

ANCHU'SA, an-ku'sa. See.

ANCHYLOSIS,:-n_i'ki-Ir>'sIs. See.

AN'CIENT DEMESNE, de-men' (O. F. demaine, Lat. dominium, Eng. domain). In English law, estates of great antiquity, constituting the ancient patrimonial possessions of the crown. Manors (q.v.) of ancient demesne date back to the reign of Edward the Confessor or of William the Conqueror, and appear in Domesday Book under the description of Terræ Regis. Though they might be alienated and held by a subject, they were properly kept in the King's hands for the maintenance of the royal dignity. Whether held by a subject or by the King, they enjoyed certain rights and immunities which were not shared by other manors, even when held by the King; especially the right to administer their own justice, free from the interference of the ordinary royal tribunals. Two important and distinctive varieties of tenure developed on these ancient demesne lands: one a privileged form of customary tenure (q.v.), midway between copyhold (q.v.) and socage (q.v.) tenure, which came to be known as customary freehold; and the other a peculiar form of socage tenure, which received the name of tenure in ancient demesne. Though these tenures still survive in England, they have been shorn of most of their peculiar characteristics and assimilated to the more usual tenures. See Pollock and Maitland, History of English Law, second edition (London and Boston, 1899).

ANCIENT LIGHTS. Windows that have existed so long that they have acquired an indefeasible right to the light which enters them, free from interference by the owner of the premises over which the light comes. The easement of ancient lights, so called, is the right gained by the owner of a dwelling or other building to restrain his neighbor from interfering with windows which have been in existence from time immemorial. The term does not, therefore, describe a peculiar and distinctive right, but only a method by which the familiar easement of light may, like other easements, be acquired — the method, namely, of prescription (q.v.). Ancient lights belong to the class of negative easements, which cannot generally be acquired by prescription in the United States. In England