Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/817

* MAJOK DOMUS. 725 MAKAW. dynasty. (See Cakolixgians.) Both h( son Charles Maitel, who died in 741, wt he and his vere kings in everything but name. The latter, who won his surname Martel (the Hammer) by his vic- tory over the Saracens at Tours in 732, was able to bequeath the kingly power to his suc- cessor, Pepin the Sliort. The latter, weary of the anomalous state of things, with the approval of the Pope, became king in name as well as in fact about 751. The last of the ilerovingians was deposed and ended his life in a monastery. Consult: Sergeant, The Franks (Xew York, 1898) ; Brunner. Deutsche Rechtsgeschichte (2 vols., Leipzig. 1887-92). MAJOR-GENEKAL. In the United States Army, the rank next above that of brigadier- general, and beluw that of lieutenant-general. The command appropriate to his grade is four regiments, or in time of peace a department. In w*r he would command a division or a corps. See Rank and Commaxd. MAJORITY (ilL. majoritas, from Lat. major, greater i. The period when the legal disabilities and peculiar advantages and privileges incident to infancy cease. A person upon attaining his majority has a last opportunity to disaffirm and avoid legal transactions to which he was a party during the period of his minority, and which were voidable because of his disability. Certain privileges of citizenship, such as voting and hold- ing office, usually commence at this time. See Age: lNr.XT; and consult the authorities there referred to. MAJOR PROPHETS. A name used of the prophets Isaiah. .Jeremiah. Ezekiel. and Daniel and of the books of the Old Testament written by them, from the length of their writings. The other prophets of the Old Testament are grouped under Ihe tilh' nf minor prophets (q.v.). MAJTJ'BA HILL. A height of the Drakens- berg, the northwest point of Xatal. South Africa, a few miles nortliwest of Newcastle. It was the scene of the British defeat by the Transvaal Boers on February 27. 1881. The British had occupied the height which commanded the Boers' position at Laing's Xek after a night march and climb of eight hours. They were resting in fancied security, when toward noon the Boers, who. on realizing the situation, had climbed the hill un- perceived, rushed the British camp. In the fight that ensued. 02 British soldiers, including the commander. Gen. Sir G. P. CoUey. were killed, and about 1.50 wounded and taken prisoners. The loss of the Boers in killed and wounded was about 130. MAKALLAH, ma-kal'la. or MACTTLLA. A seaport on the south coast of Arabia. 300 miles northeast of Aden (Map: Turkey in Asia (Arabia), R 13). It has a well-protected har- bor, and is much frequented by vessels for the purpose of laying in stores. Next to Aden it is the chief port on the southern coast. Popula- tion about IS.OUO, chiefly Arabs and Abyssinians. MA-KA-RA, mii' kii' rii'. Another name for the Egyptian princess Hata.su (q.v.). MAKART, maTcart, Hans (1840-84). An Austrian painter. He was born at Salzburg, May 28. 1840. and went to Vienna in 1858 to study at the .cademy. but. dissatisfied with the prevailing methods, he returned after a few months to his native city. Through the munifi- cence of the Prince-Archbishop von Tarnoczy, he was enabled to study at Munich, at first under the landscape painter Schill'mann, and from 18(J1 to 1865 under Piloty. He visited London and Paris in lStj3, and soon after went to Rome with a stipend from the Austrian Government. His first work to attiact wide attention was the '"Plague in Florence," a scene of voluptuous hor- ror, the bold composition of which raised a storm of applause and adverse criticism as intense. In 1809 the Emperor Francis Joseph invited him to settle in Vienna, and caused a sumptuous studio to be fitted up for him. His '"Abundantia" pic- tures ( 1870, New Pinakothek. Munich ), repre- senting the "Fruits of the Earth" and the "Fruits of the Sea," displayed even greater wealth of color than his former pictures. In 1873 followed "Venice Doing Homage to Caterina Cornaro," exhibited in Philadelphia in 1876, and now in the National Gallery, Berlin. The winter of 1875-70, which he spent in Egypt, suggested his "Cleopatra" (1875, Stuttgart Museum), "An- tique Hunt on the Nile," and other Egyp- tian subjects. His most ambitious historical painting, "Entry of Charles V. into Antwerp" (1875-78, Hamburg Gallery), for which he made special studies on a trip to Antwerp and Spain in 1877, was awarded a medal of honor at the Paris Exposition of 1878. This work gave rise to more discussion and moral indignation over the 'glorification of the flesh' than any of ills other productions. The last of his larger compositions. "Diana's Hunting Party" ( 1880, in the Metropolitan Museum, New Vork), is one of his best works, remarkable for its grand landscape surroundings. His remaining paint- ings include: ''The Five Senses" (1879). and "Triumph of Ariadne" ( Vienna Museum ) : "Sum- mer" (1881, Dresden Gallery), and "Spring" (1884), his last creation. Makart was appointed professor at the Acad- emy of Vienna in 1879. His health was always delicate, and. as a result of overwork, he suc- cumbed to brain disease, on October 3. 1884. He was preeminently a decorative genius, a brilliant improvisor rather than a well-trained painter, a gorgeous colorist, but weak in draughtsmanship. Ilis sole aim was the cult of sensuous beauty, but his riotous fancy lacked the sustaining power of an intellectual basis ; all simplicity and re- pose are lost in his striving after effectiveness. Vet with all his shortcomings, he was one" of the most imaginative artists of modern times. He was the first to bring back the German school to the study and practice of color. Consult: Liitzow. Hans Makart (Leipzig, 1880) ; Stiassny, Hans Makart mid seine blei- bende Bedeiitung (ib., 1886); Van Rensselaer, in Portfolio (1886"). MAKAW. A small tribe of expert and daring fishers living about Cape Flattery, at the ocean entrance of Puget Sound, northwestern Wash- ington. They are of Wakashan stock ( q.v. ), hav- ing apparently crossed over from Vancouver Isl- and and conquered a territory for themselves on the southern mainland. In former times they were noted for their fierce and warlike character and still keep up their reputation as being among the most daring boatmen along the coast. The women are skillful basket-makers. JIany of the men have beards, which are said to be due to an admixture of white blood from the crew of a