Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/670

* NIMBUS. 570 NIMES. nimbus which was the rule up to the Renais- sance, when the nimbus went out of fasliion for all figures except occasionally in the form of a poised circlet or band. The interior of the nim- bus, of whatever form, is gilt, either plain or in rays, excepting occasionally that of the Vir- gin, made of blue or some oilier color or starred. Vp to the Renaissance the nimbus forms a circle against the background, but Renaissance artists tilted it or poised it naturalistically. God the Father was not represented until the' late Middle Ages, and to Him was given a circular nimbus, but the Kenaissance often gave it a triangular radiating shape. The dove of tlic Holy Ghost also had a circular nimbus. So had all "duly canon- ized saints, for it wa.s a symbol of the blessed- ness of eternal life in heaven. In later art the nimbus became lighter and more aerial, melting, as it were, into the picture; and in Raphael's saints it occasionally fades into the very faintest indication of a golden tinge aroimd the head. Jlosaie paintings, frescoes, illuminated manu- scripts, and altar-pieces are the principal classes of monuments illustrating the use of the nimbus. {See lcoN-0(itAriiY. NIMEGUEN, nim'c-g6n (Dutch Xijm€ge7i). A city in tlic I'rovince of Gelderland, Holland, on the Waal, four miles from the German frontier ( Map : Netherlands, D 3 ) . It is situated on several liills, has the form of an amphitheatre, and is. fur the most part, poorly built, with steep and narrow streets. The town is strongly fortified and garri- soned. Among the notcworthj- edifices are the t'hurch of .Siinl Ste])hen, a handsome Gothic struc- ture dating from the thirteenth century, and the town hall, with a museum of Roman antiquities. In the beautiful Valkhof Park are ruins of an ancient Imperial palace. Ximeguen is a large market for cattle and agricultural products, espe- cially grain and wine. It is noted for its Weiss- bier and its eau de cologne, and has manufactures of Hour, cigars, tin. and other metal ware, leather, and furnitiire. Population, in 1895, 37,008; in 1900, 42,750, chiefiy Catholics. Ximeguen was founded by the Romans, who made it a permanent camp, in order to kceji in subjection the Teutonic tribes northeast of the Rhine. In the Middle Ages it was a member of the Hansealic League. It was taken by the .Spaniards in 1585, but was recovered six years later. The Peace of Ximeguen in 1078-79 brought to a close the war between France and the Dutch and their allies, initiated by Louis XIV.'s inva- sion of the Xetherlands in l(i72. Peace between France and Holland was concluded on August 11. 1078: between France and Spain on September 17. 1078; between France and the Emperor on February 5, 1079; and between Holland and Sweden, the ally of France, on October 12, 1079. France secured possession of Franehe-Comt<' and a portion of Flanders. The Peace of X'imeguen was the culminating point in Louis XIV.'s career and made France the leading power of Europe.

NIMES, nem. The capital of the Department of Gard, France, in Lower Languednc. situated on a fertile jjlain at the southern base of a range of outlying hills of the Cevennes, 17-1 miles south-southwest of Lyon.s (Map: France. L 8). The climate of Nimes is not particularly agree- able, owing to its winds and dust storms, and to its heat in summer. It is a unique city in that it contains very ancient construction side by side with modern and handsome buildings, streets, etc. It has splendid monuments of Roman times, and its antiquities are of almost every description. The fine Esplanade, ap- proached by the sjjaeious Avenue Feuch^res, and llankcd by the innnense Roman amphitheatre, and adorned by a magnilicent fountain decorated with statues by Pradier, forms a centre of strik- ing interest. Here also are found the modern Palace of .lustice, and a statue to .Soleillet. the French explorer. The amphitheatre — Les Arf-nes — is an ellipse 438 feet long, and while sr.i;iller than the famous ones of Italy, is in a better state of preservation. Its construction is inter- esting. It was built at the beginning of our era and was capable of seating 24,000. Its restora- tion was begun in 1858. The most striking structure in Xlmes is t'.ie far-famed Maison-Carree. an imposing Roman temple, well preserved. It is 70 feet long and 40 feet wide, and is embellished with 30 Co- rinthian cohimns. The whole edifice is in ex- cellent taste and possesses rich features. It is now thought to have been built early in our era. It evidently belonged in the ancient forum. After haing served various degraded uses dur- ing the centuries, it was artistically restored in the eighteenth century. It contains a collec- tion of Roman relics, some exhibiting a fine style of workmanship. Its Venus of Ximes. however, is mediocre. The Romanesque Church of .'^aint Paul has splendid mural paintings by the two Flandrins. Ximes has a Reformed Grand Temple of a very simple architectural style. The uninteresting cathcilral was built of mate- rials from ancient ruins. The .Tardin de la Fontaine is ,a lovely garden, with a canal, cas- cades and basin*, and a statue of. toninus Pius, who was Ijorn in Xlmes. Among the Roman remains arc the Tour Magne. 90 feet high, affording a fine view; a little Temple of Diana; and the Porte d'Auguste. The Hotel- Dieu has an attractive facade. The Central Prison, with a capacity for 1400 per.sons, was an ancient citadel. The Ecole des l?eaux-.rts is modern. The city library has 75,000 volumes. This collection is installed in a former .Tesnit college which has been provided with a handsome modern facade. The Maison-Carree contains an archa'O- logical museum. In the picture gallery in the southern part of the town are some creditable paintings. Xlmes has a Calvinistic consistory, a lyceum, a Protestant normal school for wo- men, a Catholic seminary for priests, and in- dustrial and art schools. The manufacturing in- dustries are still important, though declining. Silk, wine, liquors, are extensively produced and dealt in. Ximes also manufactures upholstery, shawls, lace, handkerchiefs, carpets, leather, and iron products. Pcquilation. in 1901, 80.005, nearly one-fourth being of the Reformed faith. Xlmea (Lat. A'cmoi/SH-s) was the leading Roman colony in Gaul after n.c. 120. and was a jirovincial city of true magnificence. It fell under the scourge of the Vandals in a.d. 407. and was lilundered by the X'orthmen in 859. It turned Calvinist at the Reformation and entered upon a troubled career, .fter the fall of Xapoleon its citizens — or the Handes Verdcts — persecuted the Protestants. Guizot ami Damlet were born there. The beautiful ruined Pont du Gard is northe.-ist of Xlmes. Consult : Pievrc. Hi.itoirc dr In lille de imcs, deiiuis If^-'iO jusqu'd nos jours