Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 16.djvu/739

* RAHL. 651 RAIL. ler des neunzehnteti Jahrhunderts, iv. (XOrd- lingen, 1885). RAHN, ran, Johaxx Rudolf (1841 — ). A Swiss art-iustorian, born at Zurich. After study- ing at the universities of Zurich, Bonn, and Ber- lin and investigating in Italy the art-monuments of the early Christian Era, lie established himself as privat-docent in his native city, where he was appointed professor at the university in 1877, and at the Polytechnicum in 1883. His prin- cipal works include: Geschichte der bildenden Kihiste in der Schiceiz ron den altesten Zeiten bis ziim Hchliiss des Mittelalters (1876) ; Kunst- vnd Wanderstudien aiis der Hchu-eiz (188.3); Schireizer Hliidte im Mittelalter (1889); Die mittelaUerlichen Ktinstdenkmdler des Kantons Tessin (1893); and similar treatises on other cantons. In 1879 he became editor of the Anzeiger fiir schweizerische AUertumskunde. RAHU, ra'hoo (Skt. Rahu, the seizer, from rabh, Gk. a/ipa.veiv, lambanein, to seize). In Indian mythology, the son of Vipracitti and Sim- hika. and the demon who is the cause of the eclipses of sun and moon. At the churning of the milk-ocean, Kahu. one of the Daityas or demons, came unnoticed among the gods and ob- tained a portion of the ambrosia thus produced. His head was cut off by Vishnu; but the nectar had reached his throat and consequently his head had already become immortal. Out of hatred for the sun and moon, who had informed on him, he now pursues them with implacable hatred, seizing them at intervals, and thus caus- ing their eclipses. According to a later form of the legend both the head and the tail of the demon called Ketu ascended to heaven, and there still produce the eclipses of sun and moon either by swallowing them or by making them unclean by his approach. Rahu was accordingly reck- oned among the planets which, on account of their wanderings, are regarded as of evil omen. In modern India he is the godling of two low- caste tribes, the Dusadhs and Dhangars, in the eastern districts of the Xorthwest Provinces, where he is propitiated by the rite of passing through a fire kindled in his honor. Rahu is a post-Vedic demon, his Vedie predecessor as the fiend who eclipses the sun being Svarbanu. In Hindu astronomy Rahu is the moon's ascending, and Ketu is its descending node. RAHWAY, ra'wa. A city in Union County, New Jersey. 20 miles southwest of Xew York Citv; on the Rahway River, and on the Penn- sylvania Railroad (Map: New Jersey, D 2). An attractive suburban city, Rahway is well laid out, and has many handsome residences of busi- ness men of the greater cities in the vicinity. There is a public library with 15,000 volumes. As an industrial centre, Railway is of consider- able importance, its establishments including an extensive printing house and manufactories of steel castings, chemicals, felt goods, music bo.xes, carriages, electrical supplies, lace curtains, and shirts. Population, in 1890, 7105; in 1900, 7935. RAIBOLINI, ri'bo-le'ne, Fbaxcesco. See Fraxci.v. RAIFFEISEN, rif'I'zen, Pkiedbich Wilhelm (1818-88). A Cierman economist, founder of the German agrarian loan funds, born at Hamm an der Sieg. In 1835 he entered the army, but was compelled to abandon that profession because of Vol. XVI. —t2. an affection of the eyes, and entered the civil service. The agricultural crisis of 1846-47, which Raiffeisen believed to be due to the difficulty with which the small landowner secured credit, led him to establish in Heddesdorf and Weyer- buseh mutual credit associations, through which the small farmer might obtain loans at a low rate of interest, thereby escaping his former de- pendence upon usurers. Raiffeisen carried on an extensive propaganda for his idea, organizing numerous mutual credit associations, until in 1866 his health was so shattered by overwork that he was compelled to retire from public service. After he had partially recovered, he founded in 1878 the Landivirtschaftiiches Genos- senschaftshlalt, published at Xeuwied. Before his death the agricultural loan associations had become numerous and had proved of the greatest value to the small farmers. Raitfei.sen wrote: Instruktion zur Gesclmffs und Buchfiihrung der Darlehnskassenvereine (1869) ; Die Darlehnskas- senvereine (1887) ; Ktirze Anleitung zur Griind- ung von Darlehnskasseniereinen (1888). RAIKES, raks, Robert (1735-1811). The founder of Sunday schools; He was born at Gloucester, England, September 14, 1735; suc- ceeded his father as printer and proprietor of the Gloucester Journal (1757) and so continued till 1802. He is first heard of in connection with volunteer jail visitation (1708). and called pub- lic attention to the pitiable condition of the prisoners. In July, 1780. he opened in Gloucester his first school on Sunday for the instruction of children. Consult his Life by Ciregory (London, 1877) ; also Harris, Robert Raikes, the Man and his Work (Bristol, 1899). See Sund.ay Schools. RAIL (OF. raale. rasle, Fr. rale, rail, rattling in the throat, from OF. roller, Fr. raler, to rattle in the throat, from ilDutch ratelen, Ger. rasseln, to rattle: connected with Cik. KpaSalvav, kra- dainein, to swing; so called from its cry). A bird of the subfamily Rallinie, especially of the genus Rallus. related to the coots and gallinulcs, and more remotely to the cranes. Rails have a slender bill, usually longer than the head, the body of a very compressed form, wings of mod- erate length, a short tail, long and strong legs, and long toes. The only European species is the common or water rail {Rallus aquaticus), which dwells in marshes and the reedy margins of lakes and rivers. It is generally a bird of passage, breeding in the nortli, and migrating southward on the approach of winter. The bird is about IIV-! inches long. The se.xes are similar in plumage, olive brown, marked with black above; bluish ash color beneath, with white transverse markings on the belly. The water rail feeds on worms, mollusks, and soft vegetable substances. It is in high esteem for the table. In the United States six or seven species are known. The Virginia rail {Rallus Virginianus) is numerous in many parts of the Eastern States, but not often seen, because of its great shyness. It is rather smaller than the water rail of Eu- rope, but mucli resembles it in appearance, haunts, and habits, which are those of the rails in general. ( See Colored Plate of G.me Bibds ac- companying article Gbol'se and also Colored Plate of Eggs of Game and W.ater Birds.) The king- rail, or fresh-water marsh-hen (Rallus elegans) is a much larger bird, inhabiting marshes throughout the Eastern United States, while the clapper-rail.