part of the state of Delaware, about a mile from the town of | Espagnolles,' which is stated to have been written by Wilmington, and about 2 m. from the Delaware river, which Brantôme in Spanish, and translated into French by Marc the united stream enters on the right bank a little above Phrasendorp; and two dissertations, the first 'Sur les SerNewcastle. A division of the American army under mens et Juremens Espagnols, the other Sur les Belles Washington, during the war of Independence, was defeated Retraites d'Armées de diverses Nations. The thirteenth conon the banks of the Brandywine, 11th Sept. 1777. The tains the author's Opuscules Divers, seventeen in number, consequence of the battle of Brandywine was the occupation the last being his Testament, a very curious document, of Philadelphia by the British troops. The Brandywine extending to about fifty pages. To these is added a piece flour mills near Wilmington were formerly the most exten- entitled 'Maxims et Avis du Maniement de la Guerre, by sive of the kind in the U. S.; and they still enjoy a high André de Bourdeilles, Brantôme's elder brother. The letters reputation from the quality of the flour produced there. of André to Charles IX., Henry III., and their mother The Brandywine offers a number of favourable sites for ob- Catherine de' Medici, with their answers, form the fourteenth taining water-power, which have been taken advantage of. volume of the collection; and the fifteenth is filled with a Brandywine is the name of a township in Chester co. Penn. history of the family of Bourdeilles, principally taken from (Flint's American Geog.; Hinton's U. S.; Malte-Brun.) Dinet's Théâtre de la Noblesse Françoise, and brought BRANKA [BUCK WHEAT.] down to the time when the edition was published. In the course of this long genealogical detail there is given a life of Brantôme, which fills about eighty pages. His portrait is prefixed to the volume. BRANTOME, the common designation of the French writer, Pierre de Bourdeilles, who was Lord Abbot (Abbé et Baron, or Seigneur de l'Abbaye) of Brantôme, in Guionne. Very little is known of the life of Brantôme, beyond the brief and general sketch given by himself in an epitaph which he left to be inscribed on his tomb. He was a younger son of an antient and distinguished family of Perigord, where he appears to have been born about the year 1527. Having served his apprenticeship in arms under Francis of Guise, he eventually obtained two companies of foot from Charles IX. That king, with whom he was a great favourite, also made him a chevalier of the Order of St. Michael. That of Habito de Christo was bestowed upon him by Don Sebastian of Portugal. He is supposed to have visited in the early part of his life most of the countries of Europe, either in a military capacity or as a traveller. He likewise tells us that Charles IX. gave him the office of one of his gentlemen in ordinary, and a pension of 2000 livres a year. Another dignity which he held was that of chamberlain to M. de Alençon. After the accession of Henry III., by whom he intimates that he was not held in the same estimation that he had enjoyed with the preceding king, he appears to have taken his leave of the court, and retired to his estate of Richemont in his native province. It is sup-sidered dishonoured, or to have forfeited a character for posed to have been after this that he wrote his various works. He died at Richemont on the 15th (the 'Biographie Universelle' says the 5th) of July, 1614. There is no English translation either of the whole of Brantôme's works, or, as far as we are aware, of any part of them. This is no doubt to be accounted for from the comparatively late date at which they appeared; had they been published half or two-thirds of a century earlier, it is probable that the extreme freedom of expression in which they abound would not have shut out Brantôme from our literature, any more than the same objection has deprived us of his equally unscrupulous contemporaries, Rabelais and Montaigne. In this respect, as well as in others, his Mémoires' afford us undoubtedly the most living picture that has been preserved of the age in which he lived, and of the odd system of manners and of morality then prevalent. No mere statement of facts which may be gathered from more formal historians can convey the vivid impression which this writer's whole style and tone of sentiment give us of the entirely different light in which licentiousness in both sexes was then viewed from that in which we now regard it. It seems never to enter Brantôme's head that either man or woman can be convirtue, by the most lavish indulgence in what he calls gallantry. The most abandoned of the female worthies whose lives he details, are spoken of by him as both By his last will he charged his heirs with the publication illustrious ladies and good Christians. So complete is his of his works, or memoirs, as they are often collectively abstinence from every expression that might denote a sense called, ordering that the necessary funds should be provided of there being any thing to blame in the indulgences from the revenues of his estate: although he has known, which he has recorded, that he has been suspected by some he adds, the booksellers pay for liberty to publish books critics of composing his works with a determined purpose not half so interesting or so likely to be well received by the of undermining the belief of his readers in the common public. They did not, however, appear till the year 1666, distinctions between virtue and vice. This however is pro when they were printed in eight duodecimo volumes; accord-bably an unfounded hypothesis. It can hardly be said that ing to the title-page, at Leyden, by John Sambix the Brantôme's moral creed on the subject of gallantry, strange younger,' but in reality, it is said, at the Hague by the as it appears to us, is really different from that which was brothers Steucker. The Biographie Universelle, erro- generally in fashion when he wrote, and had been so for neously we suspect, describes this edition as consisting of ages before. He is not more lax in his judgments upon ten volumes, as dated 1666-67, and as printed by one of the matters of this kind, for instance, than his predecessor Elzevirs, but which of them is not stated. The works were Froissart, or, as we have already observed, than his contemsent to the press by Claude de Bourdeilles, Comte de Montré-porary Montaigne. In his praises of beauty and of knightly sor, grand-nephew of the author. Another edition appeared in 1699, and another in 1722. But the most complete edition of Brantôme is that of 1740 (not 1740-41, as stated in the Biographie Universelle') in fifteen volumes duodecimo, which bears the impress of the Hague on the title-page, but is said to have been actually printed at Rouen. No printer's or bookseller's name appears. The editor, who has appended some explanatory notes, was, according to the Biographie Universelle, Jacob le Duchat; Watt, in the Bibl. Britan., we believe incorrectly, attributes the edition to Prosper Marchand. A reprint of it in the same number of volumes appeared in 1779 at Maastricht (but with the impress of London); and it was once more reproduced in eight volumes, octavo, in 1787, by Bastien, as a part of the collection entitled Mémoires pour servir à l'Histoire de France.' prowess and courtesy, Brantôme writes with warm and cloquent enthusiasm. BRASENOSE COLLEGE, Oxford. The precise date of the foundation of this college is not known. The plan for it was concerted in 1507-8, between William Smyth, bishop of Lincoln, and Richard Sutton, Esq., afterwards Sir R. Sutton of Prestbury, in Cheshire, a member of the privy council to King Henry VII.; and in 1508 they obtained from University College a lease of two of the old halls of Oxford, Brasenose Hall and Little University Hall, with their gardens and appurtenances, for the term of ninety-two years, at the annual rent of 37.; and it was not until the expiration of the above lease that an equivalent estate was made over to University College, and Brasenose College obtained the freehold. On these premises the Of the fifteen volumes, the first contains Les Vies des college first rose. Other messuages or houses of education Dames Illustres Françoises et Etrangeres; the second and for students adjoining were subsequently purchased: in third, Les Vies des Dames Galantes; the fourth and fifth, the first instance Salisbury Hall, to which were afterwards Les Vies des Hommes Illustres et Grands Capitaines added Little Edmund Hall, Haberdasher's Hall, Black Etrangers; the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth, Hall, Staple Hall, and Glass Hall, the chief of these running Les Vies des Hommes Illustres et Grands Capitaines between what is now Lincoln College-lane and the HighFrançois; and the eleventh, Le Discours sur les Duels. street. The present lodgings of the principal were erected The remaining four volumes consist of pieces which had not on the spot where Haberdasher's Hall stood. The first been previously published. The twelfth contains a collec-hall, from which the college took its name, was of great tion entitled Rhodomontades et Gentilles Rencontres antiquity. In the thirteenth century it was known by the same name, which was unquestionably owing to the circumstance of a nose of brass affixed to the gate. As the hall must have had a name before it got one from this circumstance, perhaps we may conclude that the name Brasenose was originally a kind of nickname. It appears that a society was formed almost as soon as the college was projected. We find a principal in the month of June, 1510. The charter of foundation granted to Bishop Smyth and Richard Sutton, Esq., is dated Jan. 15th, 1511-12 and it is supposed that the society became a permanent corporation on the feast of St. Hugh, Nov. 17th, 1512, or perhaps a little earlier. According to the charter, the society was to consist of a principal and sixty scholars, to be instructed in the sciences of sophistry, logic, and philosophy; and afterwards in divinity, and they might possess lands, &c., to the yearly value of 3007. beyond all burdens and repairs. The number of fellows, however, was not completed until their revenues, by being laid out on land, began to be certainly productive. The estates which Bishop Smyth bestowed on the college were chiefly two: Basset's Fee, in the environs of Oxford, which formerly is supposed to have belonged to the Bassets barons of Headington; and the entire property of the suppressed priory of Cold Norton, with its manors and estates in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. It was sold to Bishop Smyth, by the convent of St. Stephen's, Westminster, for eleven hundred and fifty marks. The estates given by Sir Richard Sutton were, the manor of Burgh, or Borowe, or Erdeborowe, in the parish of Somerby, in the county of Leicester, and other estates in the same parish and neighbourhood; an estate in the parish of St. Mary-le-Strand, London, which in 1673 was sold to the commissioners for enlarging the streets after the great fire, for the sum of 1700., and with this an estate was purchased at Burwardescot or Burscot, in Oxfordshire; which was subsequently exchanged for other lands at Stanford, in the Vale of White Horse. Sir Richard Sutton gave also the manor of Cropredy, in the county of Oxford, and certain lands there, and an estate in North Ockington, or Wokyndon, in the county of Essex. In the same year, by indenture with Sir Richard Sutton, the society agreed to keep an anniversary for ever for Bishop Smyth and Sir Richard Sutton, on the days of their respective decease. Sir Richard Sutton's last benefaction to the college, except that of 51. for building a wall, was an estate in Garsington and Cowley, in Oxfordshire, of which he put the college in possession in July, 1522. of Stow, left 1207. to purchase lands, &c. for the maintenance of a fellow in 1538. In the same year Dr. William Clyfton also gave lands for the maintenance of a fellow, Another fellowship was settled on the college by Brian Hygden, dean of York, in 1549, for a native of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, alternately. The concluding fellowship, which is the twentieth, was founded by Mrs. Joyce Frankland, a distinguished benefactress not only to this and to Lincoln College, but to Caius and to Emmanuel College, in Cambridge. Humphrey Ogle of Chalford, or Salford, in Oxfordshire, archdeacon of Salop, provided exhibitions in 1543 for two scholars born in Prescot, or in the diocese of Chester or Lichfield; and in defect of such, any fit persons born in the king's dominions.' John, Lord Mordaunt, in 1570, founded three scholarships. Of Alexander Nowell, the learned dean of St. Paul's, it has been observed, that he came to this college in the thirteenth year of his age, resided thirteen years, founded thirteen scholarships, and died on the 13th day of February, 1601-2, at the advanced age of ninety-five. Joyce Frankland, before mentioned, James Binks, alias Stoddard, George Palyn, Dr. Samuel Radcliffe, John Milward, John Cartwright, Esq., of Aynho, Anne Walker, Hugh Henley, Thomas Church, Richard Read, Sarah duchess dowager of Somerset, Dr. Thomas Yate, William Hulme, Esq., Dr. William Grimbaldston, and others, have either founded or augmented scholarships and exhibitions. The scholarships founded by the Duchess of Somerset amount at this time to twenty in number. They are appropriated to youths educated at the grammar-schools of Manchester, Marlborough, and Hereford, with a permission to the society, in respect of four, to accept of birth in the counties of Hereford, Lancaster, and Chester as a qualification, in defect of candidates educated in those schools. Mr. Hulme gave lands in and near to the town of Manchester to certain trustees resident in that neighbourhood, for the support of four poor bachelors of arts, for a period of four years from the date of that degree. Some of these lands having been subsequently built upon, Brasenose-street (Manchester) standing upon a part of them, and all in various ways greatly improved in value, the trustees, who are noblemen and gentlemen of the counties of Lancaster and Chester, have been incorporated by act of parliament; whereby they have obtained a power of purchasing advowsons, and presenting to the livings. They are bound however to present such priests as are, or have been exhibitioners upon Mr. Hulme's foundation. The nominators to the exhibitions are the warden of Manchester and the rectors of Prestwich and Bury in Lancashire, for the time being; who again can nominate none but members of Brasenose College. The part which the society take in the foundation is only to supply objects for the founder's bounty, and to name the lecturer in divinity. The advowsons which have been purchased are entered in the college list, as the most conve Bishop Smyth composed a body of statutes before the year 1513, but they are not now known to exist. In his will he devolved to his executors the business of correcting and amending these statutes; and accordingly a new code, signed and sealed by four of his executors, was given to the college, and is still preserved. In the year 1521-22 it underwent a complete revision, and was ratified by the seal of Sir Richard Sutton, the surviving founder. Of this how-nient mode of giving information to the exhibitioners. The ever a transcript only remains. In forming these statutes considerable use was made of those of Magdalen College, which had been borrowed from Wykeham's statutes for New College. In these last statutes the college is recognised as commonly called The King's Haule and Colledge of Brasennose, in Oxford,' to consist of a principal and twelve fellows, all of them born within the diccese of Coventry and Lichfield; with preference to the natives of the counties of Lancaster and Chester, and especially to the natives of the parish of Prescot in Lancashire, and of Prestbury in Cheshire. Besides those twelve, there were to be two fellows, masters or bachelors of arts, natives of the diocese of Sarum, or Hereford, agreeably to the intent of a composition between Edmund Audley, bishop of Salisbury, and the college, for that purpose; but for some reason, not now known, this benefaction never took place. In addition to the bounty of their two founders, this society soon obtained numerous benefactions. The first permanent benefaction was that of Elizabeth Morley of Westminster, widow, who died about 1524. Sir Richard Sutton, at her request, had settled on the college in 1512 the manor of Pinchepolles, &c., in Berkshire. John Williamson, clerk, gave 2007. in 1521, to purchase lands for the maintenance of two fellows. John Elton, alias Baker, canon of Salisbury, founded another fellowship in 1528. William Porter, who had been warden of New College, founded a fellowship in 1531. Edward Darby, archdeacon exhibitions are now fifteen, exceeding 1007. per annum each; and the sum of 357. is annually expended in the purchase of books for each exhibitioner. In addition to these and various other minor benefactions, lectureships have also been endowed, since the foundation of the college, in philosophy and humanity, in Greek, in Hebrew, and in mathematics. The actual society of Brasenose College at present consists of a principal and twenty fellows. There are also thirty-two scholarships, and fifteen exhibitions. The number of members, resident and non-resident, upon the college books, according to the Oxford Calendar of 1835, is 396. The Bishop of Lincoln is their visitor. Among the more eminent members of this college were Laurence Nowell dean of Lichfield, Fox the martyrologist, Sir Henry Savile, Sir Henry Spelman, Brerewood the mathematician, Humphrey Lhuyd the Welsh historian, Sir John Stradling; Erdeswick and Sir Peter Leycester the Cheshire antiquaries, Lord Chancellor Egerton, Robert Burton, author of the Anatomy of Melancholy,' Sir William Petty, Elias Ashmole, Jolin Prince, author of "The Worthies of Devon,' and Dr. Whitaker, the author of 'The History of Manchester.' The ecclesiastical patronage of this society consists of thirty rectories, two chapelries, and a lectureship, producing in all an income of about 13,4397. The original edifice of Bishop Smyth and Sir Richard Sutton is still visible in the large entrance quadrangle: but a third story was constructed over a great part of it, with dormer windows, &c., about the time of James I., for the accommodation of additional members. The hall and tower gateway however retain much of their former grandeur and picturesque effect; and the decayed parts of the latter might be easily restored from Loggan's print of 1675; at which time it appears to have been in good preservation, and the tracery of the windows entire. At that date, and till the year 1770, the lodgings of the principal were on each side of the gateway, and over it, according to the antient practice. The present frontage of the college occupies nearly the whole of the western side of the Radcliffe-square; and the site of it, including the principal's house, extends southward to the High-street. The hall, or refectory, on the south side of the principal quadrangle, is lofty and well proportioned. Its windows are partly embellished with the arms of the founders and benefactors, whose portraits also adorn the walls. Among them is the original portrait of Dean Nowell. The first chapel used by the society was a small oratory over the buttery, since converted into rooms. The foundation stone of a new chapel was laid June 26, 1656, and it was finished in about ten years. It is built upon the site where Little Edmund Hall stood. Dr. Samuel Radcliffe, the principal at the time it was erected, contributed 18507. to the building. The contents of the Old Library, which stood at the north-west corner of the large quadrangle opposite the original chapel, were transferred to a new library, built over the cloister, between the chapel and the south side of the inner court, and finished in 1663. The design of this building is attributed to Sir Christopher Wren; the interior was refitted under the superindence of Mr. Wyatt, in 1780. | of action. The Athenians commanded the sea, and the land route lay through Thessaly, a difficult and an unfriendly country. But by the assistance of a few principal Thessalians, who acted as his guides, and by the decision, rapidity, and address of his own movements, he eluded the difficulties which he had reason to apprehend, and reached the Macedonian frontier. We can only give an outline of this expedition, which is but an episode in the Peloponnesian war. The thing chiefly to be remarked is the mild conduct of Brasidas, as compared with the haughtiness and severity usually manifested by Spartan commanders towards their subject allies. Thucydides observes that Brasidas did the Lacedæmonians great service by his equity and moderation, which at that time induced many cities to go over to them; and afterwards, even after the Sicilian war, the wisdom and virtue of Brasidas, to some known by experience, by others believed upon report, was the principal cause which made the Athenian confederates affect the Lacedæmonians; for being the first foreign commander (i.e. first in this war) and esteemed in all points for a worthy man, he left behind him an assured hope that the rest also were like him' (iv, 81). The first fruits of his appearance in Chalcidice were the revolt of Acanthus and Stagirus from Athens; and this success, before winter was completely set in, was followed by the acquisition of Amphipolis on the Strymon. This was the heaviest loss which could have befallen the Athenians, inasmuch as it was the most important of their Thracian dependencies, and they derived from it a considerable revenue, and plenty of timber for shipbuilding, which the soil of Attica did not supply. After the capture of Amphipolis, Brasidas meditated building a fleet in the Strymon, and he requested reinforceThe present principal, Ashurst Turner Gilbert, D.D., ments from Sparta, which it certainly would have been wise elected in 1822, is the eighteenth from the foundation of to have sent. But these were denied, partly because the the college. (Wood's Colleges and Halls of Oxford, by leading men were jealous of him, partly because the goGutch; Churton's Lives of the Founders of Brasenose Col-vernment was intent on concluding the war, and obtaining lege, 8vo., Oxf., 1800; Chalmers's Hist. of the Colleges the freedom of the Lacedæmonians made prisoners in and Halls of Oxford, 2 vols. 8vo., Oxf., 1810; Ingram's Sphacteria. Accordingly, in the following spring in the Memorials of Oxford, 4to.; Oxford Univ. Calendar for ninth year of the war, a truce was concluded, which pro1835.) vided that each party was to retain what it then possessed. It became a question however to which of them Scione, which had surrendered to Brasidas just about the ratification of the truce, did belong; and Brasidas refused to give it up to the Athenians. In this he was wrong, according to Thucydides, who says (iv. 122) that Scione was in the hands of the Athenians when the truce was signed, and two days afterwards; but he probably was ill pleased with the negociation, and must certainly have been reluctant to deliver up that city, by which he had been eminently trusted and honoured, to the certain revenge of the Athenians. This circumstance, and the revolt of Mende, a neighbouring city, which he also received into the alliance of Sparta, alleging that the Athenians had already infringed the terms of truce, led to the continuance of hostilities on the coast of Thrace. The Athenians passed a savage decree to take Scione and put to death the inhabitants, and sent Nicias and Niceratus with an army to enforce it. The year passed without any decisive occurrences; but in the following spring (B.c. 422) the Athenians sent out Cleon to assume the command, who speedily undertook the siege of Amphipolis. Brasidas superintended the defence. In the quality of his troops Cleon had the advantage; the numbers were about equal. But this superiority was more than compensated by the difference of talent in the generals. In short, Cleon was puzzled; and Brasidas, who watched his movements from the city, took at once advantage of a false manouvre, and led his troops to battle, in which the Athenians were completely defeated, but he himself received a mortal wound. He was buried in the public-place of Amphipolis at the public expense, was worshipped as a hero, and, as a still higher mark of respect, it was ordained that he, instead of Agnon the Athenian, should thenceforward be honoured as the true founder of the city aud colony. BRA'SIDAS. The first mention of this eminent Spartan occurs in the first year of the Peloponnesian war, in which he performed a very gallant action in throwing himself at the head of a body of troops into Methone when besieged by the Athenians, and for this exploit was the first that was praised at Sparta in this war' (Thucyd. ii. 25). In the third year of the war he was associated with Cnemus in the command of the Peloponnesian fleet, was present in the second battle in which the Lacedæmonians were defeated by Phormion, and took probably a leading part in a wellcontrived scheme for surprising the Athenian port of Piræus, which failed, as Thucydides intimates, chiefly from the want of due energy in its execution (ii. 85-94). In the fifth year he was associated with Alcidas in the command of the Peloponnesian fleet. In the seventh year he commanded a ship in the armament which attacked the fort of Pylos, newly erected by Demosthenes on the mainland opposite the island of Sphacteria; distinguished himself by superior bravery, and being severely wounded, and fainting, he dropped his shield into the sea, which was picked up and made part of the Athenian trophy. This little incident is worth relating, because the loss of the shield was considered disgraceful. It does not appear that Brasidas suffered in reputation from this accident (iv. 11, 12). Soon after a request for help was preferred to Sparta from some cities in the Chalcidian peninsula, which had thrown off their alliance, or rather their allegiance to Athens. Brasidas was already so well known, that the Chalcidians requested that he might be the leader of any force which should be sent to their assistance; and the text of Thucydides (iv. 80) seems to indicate that no one contested with him the command of a distant and uncertain enterprise. The Lacedæmonians gave him 700 heavyarmed foot; the rest of his army, consisting of Peloponnesian mercenaries, he was collecting in the neighbourhood of Sicyon, where he had the opportunity of protecting and preserving to the Peloponnesian alliance the city of Megara, attacked by an Athenian army (iv. 70-74). This was early in the eighth year of the war. In the same summer he led his army of 1700 heavy-armed foot (containing altogether about 4000 soldiers) to Macedonia. One chief difficulty of the undertaking was to reach the scene If Brasidas had lived he probably would have become one of the most remarkable men in the history of Sparta. His military talents were great; his temper politic and conciliatory; his accomplishments considerable, at least in Sparta, for Thucydides pithily observes, that, for a Lacedæmonian, he was not unable to speak (iv. 84). That he was held in high respect throughout Greece may be gathered, not only from the testimony of Thucydides above quoted, but from the expression put into the mouth of Alci- | instruments, but those used in manufacturing processes and biades by Plato, in the Banquet, that such as Achilles was, we may conjecture Brasidas to have been.' BRASS, Æs of the Romans, is an alloy of copper and zinc, which has been known and used from the remotest antiquity; it is now extensively employed both for useful and ornamental purposes. The direct method of forming brass is by melting together its constituent metals; but it was manufactured long before zinc was obtained in its metallic form. Calamine, an ore of zine, was mixed with copper and charcoal, and the zinc being, by the well-known action of the carbonaceous mat ter, reduced to the metallic state immediately combined with the copper, without separately exhibiting metallic properties. In Germany brass appears to have been made for centuries before the manufacture was introduced into England: this is stated to have been done by a German, who established works at Esher in Surrey in the year 1649. When the requisite furnaces have been erected, the next step in the process is that of reducing copper to a convenient forin for ensuring its ready combination by extending its surface. This is effected by pouring the melted metal into water; by which process what is called shot copper is obtained, in pieces varying in size from that of small shot to that of a bean. The next process is to prepare the calamine, which is a carbonate of zinc. This is first broken into small pieces, and then heated to redness in a reverberatory furnace. In this way, by the loss of carbonic acid and moisture, one ton of calamine is generally diminished to about twelve cwt., and it is when cold reduced to a fine powder and washed. The materials being thus prepared, 45 pounds of the shot copper, 60 pounds of the powdered calamine, and a quantity of powdered charcoal equal to it in bulk, are carefully mixed and put into eight earthen crucibles, this being the number placed in each furnace, made of a peculiar form. There is also commonly mixed with these ingredients a quantity of scrap brass. When the fire has been continued for about seven or eight hours, the operation is finished. Supposing 40 pounds of scrap brass to have been added to the abovementioned quantities of the ingredients, a plate of brass is obtained by pouring the metal into granite moulds, which is generally about 5 ft. in length and weighs about 108 pounds. This plate is used for rolling into thin sheets called latten. Very frequently the metal is poured into cast-iron moulds, by which bars about eight inches in length are obtained: these bars are employed by those who cast brass into small goods, or who mix it by melting with additional quantities of copper so as to produce metal having different shades of colour, as tombac, pinchbeck, &c. Sometimes blende, or the sulphuret of zinc, is employed instead of calamine; it is first roasted to dissipate the sulphur, and there remains an oxide. It has been stated that brass is now sometimes made by the direct union of the metals; but this process requires great caution, for if the heat be too suddenly applied, or if it be raised too high before the metals begin to unite, then the zinc, on account of its great affinity for oxygen, burns, and thus not only is loss occasioned, but the quality of the product is injured by it, owing to the deficiency of zinc. Brass for various purposes is made of different proportions of the two metals, and consequently possesses different qualities; its general properties are, that it has a well-known fine yellow colour, is susceptible of receiving a high polish, and is only superficially acted upon by the air. It is very malleable and ductile when cold, and consequently may be beaten into thin leaves and drawn into fine wire at a high temperature it is brittle. The specific gravity of brass is greater than that deducible from the specific gravities of the metals which constitute it, as shown by the following statement. Brass, containing copper 70 and zinc 30, would give a calculated specific gravity of 8.390; but by experiment it is found to be 8-443: when the proportions are copper 80 and zine 20, the calculated is to the actual density as 8'490 to 8-560. On comparing the composition and density of different kinds of brass, it appears that the density increases with the proportion of copper, as might indeed be expected, and that it is sometimes even equal to that of the copper itself. Brass is more fusible, sonorous, a worse conductor of heat, and harder than copper. It is readily turned in a lathe, and is consequently well adapted not only for philosophical for domestic purposes. In the state of wire it is most extensively employed in pin-making, and for various other purposes; the thin leaves into which brass is made by hammering are called Dutch metal or Dutch gold. Authors differ widely as to the best proportions of copper and zinc for making brass. It is stated, in the supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica, that one part of copper and two parts of zinc are the best proportions for common brass; and that one part of each forms prince's metal of a fine yellow colour. Mr. Parkes, Essays, p. 210, states (and we believe he obtained his information from an accurate source) that the most useful proportions are two parts of copper to one part of zinc, which are not far from one equivalent of each metal. Berthier's analysis of the brass wire of Jemappes confirms the probability of this statement, for he found it to consist of Copper Zinc Lead 64.2 33.1 8 In concluding this article, we shall give the method of analysing brass proposed by Mr. Keates, in the Annals of Philosophy, vol. iii. N.S., p. 326. Dissolve the brass in dilute nitric acid, add a little sulphuric acid and evaporate to dryness, redissolve in excess of dilute sulphuric acid, dilute the solution and boil pieces of polished iron in it, until the solution becomes nearly colourless, filter it while hot, wash the precipitated copper with dilute sulphuric acid, and afterwards with boiling water: this when dried is to be put into a crucible, covered with charcoal powder and melted; the copper being cleansed from any adhering charcoal, is then to be weighed. The filtered solution, from which the copper has been separated, is to be boiled with nitric acid to peroxidize the iron; neutralize the acid with carbonate of soda, and precipitate the iron by ammonia, using an excess of the latter so as to redissolve the oxide of zinc at first precipitated; filter the solution and add to it muriatic acid, evaporate to dryness and heat the dry mass in a platina crucible; to drive off the muriate of ammonia, dissolve the residuum in dilute muriatic acid, and precipitate by carbonate of soda; the precipitate, after being washed and dried, is heated to redness: every 40 parts of this precipitate are equal to 32 parts of metallic zinc. Another and more simple method is the following:-Dissolve the brass in a considerable excess of nitric acid; pass sulphuretted hydrogen gas, also in excess, through the solution. The copper only is precipitated, which is to be treated with nitric acid, the sulphur separated by filtering, and the peroxide of copper precipitated by boiling with soda: 80 grains of this precipitate indicate 64 grains of copper. The solution remaining after the separation of the sulphuret of copper is to be boiled to expel the excess of sulphuretted hydrogen, and then precipitated by carbonate of soda: the precipitate, when ignited, is oxide of zinc, 40 grains of which indicate 32 grains of metallic zinc. (Smith in Lond. and Edin. Phil. Mag. vol. viii.) BRA'SSICA, a genus of Cruciferous plants, comprehending, among other species, the cabbage, cauliflower, brocoli, borecole, rape, turnip, colza, and the like. As these are objects of horticultural or agricultural interest only, they will be spoken of under their respective heads. We shall in this place consider Brassica in a botanical point of view only. It is distinguished from other Cruciferous genera by the following characters:-Its seeds contain an embryo, the radicle of which is embraced in the concavity of the folded cotyledons. Its pod is long, slender, and many VOL. V.-2 Z seeded. The seeds are spherical. The calyx is equal at the base and slightly spreading; the petals are undivided; the stamens entire. In its wild state the caboage (Br. oleracea) is met with in abundance upon the cliffs of many parts of Europe; commonly in the S. part of European Turkey, especially about Mount Athos, on the coast of Kent near Dover, and on that of Cornwall, Wales and Yorkshire. In other places it forms a broad-leaved glaucous plant, with a somewhat woody stem, having but slender likeness to its cultivated progeny; and it is difficult to conceive by what original discovery the species was brought under the influence of domestication so as to have been prepared for the numerous changes and improvements it had to undergo before the races of cabbages, savoys, borecoles, cauliflowers and brocolis could have been founded. Swedish turnip is supposed to be Br. campestris in a cultivated state, a plant with somewhat hispid, lyrate, glaucous leaves, found wild in the S.W. parts of Europe, and apparently also in many parts of England, by the sides of rivers, by ditches, in marshes and elsewhere. It is believed to have been the Foyyudic (góngylis) of Theophrastus. Rape, Rr. Rapa; Colza or Coleseed, Br. Napus, are other -species the native country of which is unknown. Common turnips are considered by botanists to be cultivated varieties of the former. With some it is a matter of doubt whether the whole of these supposed species are not mere varieties derived from one common stock, in consequence of their intermixing so freely with each other that it is extremely difficult to keep their races truly distinct. BRAVA, the south-westernmost of the Cape Verde Islands, lies eight miles to the W.S.W. of Fogo. The island is high, and its mountains rise one above another like pyramids, though, compared with Fogo, it appears low, and its summits are generally covered by a dense atmosphere. The climate is temperate and healthy, and the soil fertile, producing a large quantity of Indian corn, beans, and all sorts of refreshments, but little wood. There is also an abundance of salt, and more saltpetre is procured here than on any of these islands. Brava has several bays and roads, but none safe for vessels of burden. The best of them, called Furna, lies at the N.E. end of the island, where small vessels may lie sheltered from all winds but the S.W. Along the whole coast there is generally a heavy surf, and landing is bad. It is only frequented by small vessels from the other islands for archil, grain, and salt. The natives are few, and all blacks. They are harmless, hospitable, and generous. To the N. of Brava, about five or six miles, are two rocky islets called Rombo, or Romes Islands, which are connected with each other by a reef, but the passage between them and Brava is clear. The shape of the island is nearly oval, six miles long north and south, and about four miles broad. The south point lies in 14° 46′ N. lat. 24° 46′ W. long. (Flinders' and Kruzenstern's Voyages; Voyage of the Leven.) BRAVU'RA, in music (Ital. courage, intrepidity), an air consisting chiefly of difficult passages,-of divisions, in which many notes are given to one syllable, therefore requiring great spirit, much bravery, in the performer. (See, under the word AIR, Aria di Bravura.) Compositions of this sort have, generally, no object but the display of the singer's force, volubility, and distinctness of articulation; though some few fine airs of the kind, by Handel, Hasse, Piccini, Guglielmi, Cimarosa, Mozart, &c., still keep alive a taste for this species of vocal music; and thus inferior works in the same style continue to be tolerated. BRAUNSBERG, a minor circle of the circle of Königsberg, in the prov. of Eastern Prussia. Its area is about 378 sq. m.; it is traversed by the Passarge, a riv. of some note, whose tributaries, the Walsh and Drewenz, also irrigate it; and though it contains extensive tracts of forest, it is well adapted for the growth of grain and flax, both of which are raised in considerable quantities. Besides this source of wealth, it possesses good fisheries along its N.W. shores on the Frische Haff, produces much timber, rears cattle, and manufactures linen yarn, linens, woolleus, leather, &c. It contains 4 towns, 178 vil., and 172 par., and in 1831 had 37,348 inh.; in 1826, 35,354. The seat of local administration is at Braunsberg, a walled town on the Passarge within about 5 m. of its efflux into the Haff, in 54° 19′ N. lat., and 19° 54' E. long.: it is divided by the riv. | into the old and new towns. The bishop of Ermeland (a district which was formerly composed of the circles of Braunsberg and Heilsberg) has his residence here; the old castle is used in part for public offices. Braunsberg possesses a lyceum, with faculties of Roman Catholic divinity and philosophy, a Roman Catholic gymnasium and seminary for candidates for the priesthood, a normal school for educating teachers, 4 Roman Catholic churches and 1 Protestant, an asylum for 12 widows, and 3 hospitals. The number of houses is about 700, and its pop. in 1831 was 7141, showing an increase of 1355 since the year 1817. Woollens and linens, as well as leather, are manufactured: the trade of the town consists principally in yarns, grains, ship-timber, and grain. The Passarge is navigable from Braunsberg to its mouth. In this circle lies Frauenburg, on the Haff, at the foot of the Domberg, on which the cathedral of Ermeland and the residences of the members of the diocesan chapter are situated. It is an open town with a church, had 2021 inh. in 1831, makes yarn, woollens, pottery, &c. The remains of Copernicus, who was a member of the chapter and died here in 1545, were deposited in the cathedral. Frauenburg is noted for a tower which once formed part of an aqueduct constructed by him. Mehlsack, another town in this circle, is situated on the Walsch, has 2 Roman Catholic churches, and had in 1831 a pop. of 2617 souls. It makes woollens, yarn, hats, leather, &c. BRAUWER, or BROUWER, ADRIAN, was born, according to some authors, at Oudenaarden, but, according to others, at Haarlem, of poor parents. He was apprenticed to Frank Hals; who, it is said, finding him uncommonly skilful, made money by his productions, while he kept him confined and almost starving at home. Brouwer excelled in painting such scenes as his irregular mode of living made him most familiar with. The singular recklessness of his conduct led him into many ludicrous and disagreeable situ ations. It is related of him that, being in Antwerp during the wars in the Low Countries, his vagabond appearance caused him to be apprehended as a spy, and he was put in prison. It so chanced that he was imprisoned in the same place with the Duke d'Aremberg, who was intimate with Rubens, and frequently visited by him. Discovering his fellow-captive to be an artist, the duke asked Rubens to procure him materials for painting. As soon as he had them, Brouwer set to work, taking for his subject a group of soldiers playing at cards in the prison. D'Aremberg showed the picture to Rubens, who immediately recognized the work of Brouwer, and offered 600 guilders for it. The duke, however, would not part with a thing he found to be so valuable; but, keeping it for himself, presented the painter with a larger sum. Rubens exerted his interest, and procured the liberation of his brother artist, took him home with him, clothed him, and maintained him for some time. But a life of quiet was not suited to Brouwer, and he quitted Rubens again to plunge into excesses, which shortly after terminated his existence in an hospital, at the age of 32, in the year 1640. His subjects are taken from low life, of the most unpleasing class; but from the extraordinary skill displayed in the execution, the excellent colouring, the correct drawing, and the life and character of the design, they fetch a high price. BRAY. [BERKSHIRE.] BRAY. [WICKLOW.] BRAZIL comprehends the E. portion of S. America. Its most N. point, at the sources of the Rio Branco, nearly reaches 5° N. lat.; and the mouth of the Rio Oayapook, which divides it from French Guiana, extends nearly as far N. The most S. boundary-line cuts the lake of Mirim, in 32° 30' S. lat. The most E. projection, Cape Augustinho, is in nearly 35° W. long. Brazil extends W. to the river Hyabary or Yavari, where its boundary-line falls in unknown countries, and probably passes 70° W. long. Brazil extends from N. to S. above 2600 m., and from E. to W. about 2400 m.; its surface is calculated by some at 3,000,000, by others at only 2,500,000 sq. m. According to the first calculation it is about fourteen, according to the second, about twelve times as large as France. Its vast extent brings it in contact with all the countries of South America, except Chili and Patagonia. At its S. extremity it borders on the republic of Uraguay Oriental, or Banda Oriental, and on the republics of Corrientes and Las Missiones, hoth of which are considered as part of the |