Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/651

* NIELIiO. 553 NIEMEYEK. nieltcd I)}' a iiioclci;ite lieat. The iiigrcilionts are esneiitialiy silviT and sulphur, but other metals are melted with the silver before the sulphur is added. It is used as enamel is used, to till up incised lines and patterns, the metal liaekground being nearly always silver. Thus the top and sides of a silver box may be engraved with elaborate ornaments in scrolls, conventional flow- ers, and the like ; the separate parts are heated, the powdered niello is spread over the wliole surface, and as it melts, fills every incision, even the finest lines and points. The metal is then cleaned and polished, so that the snuioth surface shows a black iiattern on a plain silver ground. In some modern work the black pattern is slight- ly in relief; this suggests the application of the ground and nearly fused niello by hand to the actual lines of the pattern. The art of working in niello dates from an- tiquity. It was in common use under the Byzan- tine Empire, and this tradition has been inherited by the modern Russians, together with so many other forms of decorative art. It was also prac- ticed in Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages, though it was less popular than enamel. A great deal of altar plate and similar decorative objects belonging to the Christian ritual were adorned by niello. The metal-workers of India have always employed the art with high success. Consult: Ottley, Bisiory of Engraving (London, 1810) ; Duchesne, Essai stir les nielles gravures des orferrcs florcntiiis du XVeme siccle (Paris, 1826); Waterton, "On Niello," in Archwological Journal, vol. xix. (London, 1802) ; Passavant, ie peintre-grarciir (Leipzig, 1800-04); Labarte, Arts of the' Middle Agc» (2d ed., Paris, 1872-75) ; Davenport, "Niello Work," in Journal of the So- cictif of Arts, vol. xlviii. (London, 1901). NIEM, ne'em, or NIEHEIM, ne'lilm. DlE- TRUii ui- ( 1340?-1418). A German chronicler, born in the town of Nieheim, in the mediawal Bishopric of Paderborn. He received otllce under the Papal Curia at Avignon, and went with it to Komc in 1370. In 1305 he was made Bishop of Verden (Hanover) by Boniface IX. He ap- pears to have been forced from this dignity by disputes, and in 1403 is met with as abhrcviator in the Pa])al Chancellery. During the subsequent discussions which harassed the Church, he in- sisted on internal reforms. He wrote in this connection his tliree books. De iSchismalc (com- pleted in 1410; printed in 1532, and subsequent- ly), a vivid history of the events of the years 137(i-1410. This with others of his works, such as the Historia de Vita Joannis XXIII. (1682), and the Xenrus Unionifs (incorporated with the Basel l.iOO edition of the De fiehi.imate), forms an important source for historical investiga- tion. Consult the Life br Sauerland (Giittingen, 1873). NIEMANN, ne'nuin, Albert (1831 — ). A German dramatic singcV, born at Erxleben. He was at first a singer in the chorus at Dessau. After a thorough training under Schneider and Nusch. his voice (tenor) attracted the attention of the King of Hanover, who took him into his service. 'agner selected him to sing in Tann- hiiuKer on its first production in Paris in 1801. He sang in the United States, and was remark- able for his ability in the dual role of vocalist and actor. He retired from the stage in 1880. Vol. XIV.— 36. NIEMBSCH VON STREHLENAXT, nemsh fiin straTcnou, Nikolais. See Lenau, Niko- LAL.S. NIEMCEWICZ, nyem-tsa'vich, Julian Ub- SYN ( 17.')7-1S41 ) . A Polish author and states- man, born at Skoki, Lithuania. After graduat- ing from a military school he entereil the army at twenty as an adjutant and became major in 1788, when he was sent as Deputy to the Polish Diet. With a colleague he published the I'cople'.'i I'nper, and was the framer of the so-called 'Constitution of the 3d of May,' making monarchy heieditary in Poland (1791). He was Kosciuszko's adviser and aide, and was severely wounded at Maciejowiee and taken prisoner with his chief ( 1704). While in the fortress of Saints Peter and Paul in Saint Petersburg, he translated Pope's Ilnpe of the Lock and Gray's Elegy. Released by Paul after two years, he came with Koseiuszko to the United States, where he married Mrs. Livingston Kean of New York. On the report of Napoleon's entrance into Poland, he left America for his fatherland in 1807. The King of Saxony appointed him .secre- tary of the Senate in the new Duchy of Warsaw, as well as inspector of schools and member of the Supreme Council of Pul)lie Instruction. When Poland came under Russia's control, he was re- tained in office by Alexander I., but he did not lose faith in the restoration of Poland, and took a most active part in the events of 1830, after which he went into exile. He died in Paris. His Historieal Ballads (1810-19) which aroused the national consciousness of the Poles, have retained much of their hold on the public, and his Meditations at Ursynow are his best lyric poems. The Envoy's Return, among his dra- matic works, and his novel of manners, Johann of Tenczyn, enjoyed a great vogue. The History of Siyismund III.'s Reign (latest ed. 3 vols., Breslau, 1830) and a Collection of .Memoirs on, Ancient Poland are valuable for the material collected. A collection of his works was pub- lished in Leipzig (1838-40), but it is incomplete. Consult a biography in Polish, by A. Czarloryski (Berlin, 1800). NIEMEN, ne'mcn, Pol. pron. nyem'en. A river of Russia and Prussia (Map: Russia, B 3). It rises near the city of JMinsk, and flows westward to Grodno, W'here it becomes navigable. Tlience it flows northward, form- ing the boundary between West Russia and Poland: turning again westward at Kovno, it enters East Prussia, where it takes the name of Memel, and empties into the Kurisches Haft' through a large compound delta beginning near the city of Tilsit. Its total length is 400 miles. It is of considerable connnereial importance, be- ing the outlet for large quantities of timber and grain from Russia. Its navigation is extended through several canal systems. Its banks are mostly low and often nuirshy. and in the delta they are protected from inundations by large dikes. NIEMEYEK, ne'ml-er. Aigu.st Hermann ( 1754-1828). A German educator and theologian. He was born at Halle, and after finishing his studies was appointed professor of theology in the university (1779). In 1807 Niemeyer was carried to France a prisoner of war. A year afterwards, on his return, he became rector of the University of Halle, and its chancellor. As a theologian, he held to a moderate rationalism;