Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 13.djvu/703

* MISTRAL. 625 MITCHEL. ern coast of FraiKc ami in oUier parts of tlic Meditonaneau coast region. Tliis wind is iden- tical in origin with the Bora of the Casqjian Sea and of Austria, Turkey, and Sovithern Russia. Jl is also [jcrfectly analogous to the strong north- west winds of the United States. In both cases the atmosphere over a great extent of country is circulating about a region of low pressure or a so-called storm centre, moving along over the surface of the earth usually toward the east or northeast. When such a storm centre passes over Southern Europe, the cold -winds from Russia sweep southward with great force toward it. The warm southerly siroccos give place to cold north- erly Boras and Mistrals, which are very drj' ; the cloudy hazy skies are replaced Ijy cloudless trans- parent air. During the first few hours the wind seems to come in descending and viident gusts; afterwards it becomes more moderate, but is still very strong. When it descends over moimtain slopes upon the water, as it does along the coast of France. Italy, and Austria, it makes naviga- tion difficult and even dangerous to small craft. MISTRAL, Frederic (1830-). A French poet, the leader of the modern Provencal revival in Southern France. He was born at Jlaillane, Bouches-du-Rlione, September 8, 18.30, and went to school in Avignon. Here he came under the iiilluence of Joseph Roumanille (q.v. ). who had already conceived the idea of raising the native speech to higher uses. Roumanille's Provencal poem /,( Mcirriaridcto fired tlic youth's enthu- siasm, and when lie returned to Maillane. at the ■end of his school days, he wrote a poem in four cantos, Li ilrissoun, the best parts of which he has preserved by insertion into his riper works. His father, seeing his intellectual superiority, had him study law at Aix. Mistral, however, did not practice law, but gave himself up heart and soul to the work of creating a literature in Pro- vencal. With six friends he founded the society of the Felibres in 18.54, and contributed to their annual organ. L'AniKina ProuroiQau. The i)ubli- eation in 18.39 of Mircio is the most im|)ortant €vent in ^Mistral's life and in the history of the movement. It was a revelation to the Felibres, and through the enthusiastic praise of Lamartine it obtained a national success. Mireio is a narra- tive pastoral poem in twelve cantos, a wonder- ful expression of what is most chai'acteristic and best in the rural life of Provence. The language is the dialect of Saint-Remy, raised to the dig- nity of a literary language by a process of puri- fication and enrichment strictly in accord with its genius. At tliis time also Mistral publislied some of his best lyrical poems, notably one called The Cotintcss, a vigorous protest against the cen- tralization prevailing in France. In 18fi7 he published a second long poem. Caletirlnu (French, CnJrndiil) ; it treats of mediaeval legends and traditions, and abounds in symbolism. In 1875 appeared his only volume of lyrics. lAsi Ixclo tl'or. In 1870 the Felibrige was formally organized into a great assli. In 1S!)7 appeared a third long narrative poem, Lou poucmo dou rose, his best work after Mircio. It is a singularly felicitous combination of fanciful legends and realism. Consult: Gaston Paris, Pcnscurs et jiortcs (Paris, ISDti) ; Welter, Frederic Mistral, drr Dichter dcr Prorcncc (Marburg, 1899) : Dow- ner, Frederic Mistral (New York, 1901). The best English translation of Mireio is that of Har- riet Preston (Boston, 1872). There are prose translations in French by Mistral of all his works, and these translations accompany the original text in all editions. See Fklibrige. MISTRETTA, me-stret'ta. A town of Sicily, 50 miles northwest of Catania (Map: Italy, J 10). It is situated in one of the most fertile sections of the island, and is devoted to farm- ing and cattle-raising. Lignite is mined in the vicinity. Population, in 1901 (commune), 13, 48L MISTRIAL. An invalid or illegal trial of an action, the result of which is without legal etTect on the cause of action, and which leaves the parties in the same position as if there had been no attempt to try the case. Where the prosecution of a person charged with a crime results in a mistrial, the accused maj' be again tried, and cannot plead the constitutional de- fense that he has been twice in jeopardy, as that can be true only where the proceedings against him are valid and legal. See Tri.l; and com- pare NoxsriT. MITANI, me-til'ne. See Am.r.a Letters. MITAXJ, nif'tou. The capital of the Govern- ment of Courland, Russia, situated in a low region on the Aa, 25 miles southwest of Riga (Map: Russia, B 3). It has an immense palace erected by Biron in 1738 on the site of an older ducal palace and now used as a Government building. Two gymnasia, a provincial museum with a library, and a theatre are the jirincipal educational establishments of the town. The in- dustries of Mitau arc unimportant ; the chief manufactures are spirits, flour, chocolate, oil cloth, ink, and iron products. The trade in grain and lumber is rather extensive. Population, in 1897, 35.011, about 50 per cent. German, 30 per cent. Lettish, 15 per cent. Russian, and the re- mainder Jewish. The majority of the inhabitants are Protestants. Mitau was founded by the Knights Swordbearers. in the second halt of the thirteenth century, and became a cit' in 1435. In 15(i it became the capital of the Duchy of Courland. and in 1795 it was annexed to Russia. MITCH'AM. An important railway junction and suliurli of Lomlon. F.nghind. in Surrey, four miles northAvest of Croyilon (Map: London. GO). It is noted for its extensive gardens, the soil of which is especially adapted for the cultivation of roses, lavender, peppermint, and other medicinal herbs, which in the manufacture of essential oils and perfumes yield superior products. Mitcham Common, covering 480 acres, is a favorite recrea- tion trround. especiallv for golfers. Population, in 1901. 14.904. MITCH'EL. .Tonx (1815-75). An Irish Xa- tionalist agitator. He was born in Dungiven. Ireland : was educated at Trinity College. Dub- lin; and studied and practiced law. Through his Life of Hur/h O'XriL Prince of Vlstcr (1845), he gained a rejiutation as a writer and a Nation-