The Academy of Arcadi was instituted in the same city about 1690, to promote the study of poetry and the belles lettres. It is composed of princes, cardinals, and other ecclesiastics, as well as wits of both sexes. It is called Arcadian because, to avoid disputes about pre-eminence, they obliged themselves by a regulation to appear masked as Arcadian shepherds. The number of members, within ten years from its establishment, amounted to 600. They hold seven meetings a year in a field, a grove, or in some gentleman's garden. Six of these meetings are employed in reciting the poems of the Arcadi residing in Rome; all of whom, except ladies, and cardinals, read their own compositions. The seventh meeting is devoted to the compositions of absent members, the recitation of which commonly affords great entertainment, the pieces being written in all the different dialects of Italy. The government of the institution is entirely democratical, allowing of no prince or protector, but only a custos, elected every olympiad, (or fourth year) with the power of appointing 12 others to assist him in the administration, whom he may change yearly at discretion. Under these, for the sake of order, are two sub-custodes, one vicar, or pro-custos, and four deputies, or superintendents annually chosen. The modes of election are five. The first by acclamation, when princes, cardinals, &c. are admitted. The second is by annumeration, used in favour of ladies and academical colonies, where votes are taken privately. The third representation, established in favour of universities, where the young gentry are educated, who can recommend one or two members to be ballotted for privately. The fourth, surrogation, whereby new shepherds are introduced in the room of those that are deceased or expelled. The seventh, destination, whereby, when there is no immediate vacancy, persons of merit are destined to succeed the first vacancy, and receive the title of Arcadi, before an opportunity shall occur for their final admission. All the members at their initiation receive new pastoral names, in imitation of the ancient Arcadians. There are colonies of Arcadians in many other cities in Italy, which are branches of the original institution.

The Royal Academy at Cuen was established by letters patent in 1705, though held in private 50 years before that period, in the house of M de Brieux. In 1707, M. Foucault, intendant of the generality of Caen, procured the king's letters patent, by which the society was raised into a perpetual Academy.

An Assembly of men of letters, formed at Lyons in 1712, wanted only letters patent, to constitute a royal academy inferior to few in France.

The Academia della Crusca at Florence, or Academia Furfuratorum, though formed in 1582, obtained no celebrity till 1584, when it attracted the public attention by reason of a dispute between Tasso and several of its members. It has produced an Italian Dictionary of great merit. In this institution Torricelli, the disciple of Galileo, delivered his discourses on the wind, the power of percussion, mathematics, and military

Academy, on account of its sifting out words, and rejecting barbarisms, with a view to the refinement of the Italian language. It is now united with the Fiorentina and Apatista, under the general name of Reali Academia Fiorentina.

The Academy of Fructiferi arose in 1617, from an assembly of princes and persons of distinction, who met to refine and perfect the German language. It flourished long under the princes of the empire, who were commonly chosen presidents. The number of members, in 1668, amounted to no fewer than 900. A history of the institution has been written in German by George Neumarck.

The Academia Françoise, or the French Academy, arose from the private meeting of a few men of letters, in the house of M. Conrart, in 1629; and six years afterwards was formed into an academy by cardinal Richelieu, intended for refining and ascertaining the French language and style; comprehending at the same time in its plan, grammar, poetry, and eloquence. Originally the number of members was limited to 40, out of whom a director, chancellor, and secretary, were to be chosen; the latter for life, the former for two months only. The members enjoyed many privileges, one of which was the droit de committimus, by which they might refuse to answer or appear before any court, except that of the king's household. At first they met in cardinal Richelieu's apartment, then in that of chancellor Seguier, and afterward, three times a-week in an apartment of the Louvre, now called l'Academie Françoise. At their separation, 40 silver medals were distributed among them, having on one side the head of the king of France, and on the reverse protecteur de l'academie, with a laurel and this motto, à l'immortalité. This proved an excellent means to secure attendance, those who are present receiving the overplus otherwise intended for those who are absent. Religious orders were deemed inadmissible, and expulsion was resorted to only in case of heinous malefaction. To compass their primary object, they not only gave rules, but examples of good writing; and no fewer than 20 of their orations have been printed; but the style has been ridiculed as having a tendency to enervate rather than refine the language. They have produced, nevertheless, a variety of publications; and their speculations, if not exceedingly profound, are however, very beautiful and entertaining; and will be read with pleasure by every one who has cultivated a lively relish for the beauties of rhetoric and belles lettres. The publication of a complete Dictionary of the French Language constitutes their highest celebrity; the derivation of words, the settling of phrases was an employment of 50 years, and was at length completed in 1694. The history of the institution has been written by M. Pelisson, and M. l'Abbé d' Olivet.

A similar institution was founded at Petersburg in 1783, on a plan at first suggested by the princess Dashkof. It was established and endowed by the late empress, and consists of 60 members.

The Royal Swedish Academy, founded in 1786, was intended for the improvement of the

language, purifying it of barbarisms, ascertaining its extent, and reducing it under nine fixed and definite laws; also for the cultivation of the higher graces of poetry and eloquence. It was formed on the plan of the French Academy, and pensions have been granted to some of its members by Gustavus III. A medal is struck by the institution every year, in honour of some illustrious Swede.

The Royal Spanish Academy at Madrid, was founded by the duke d'Escalona. The first meeting was held in his palace in 1713, and in 1714 the king became protector. It consists of 24 members, including the director and secretary, whose object is to improve the language by a careful selection of those terms and phrases, which have been employed by the best Spanish writers, and expunging all low, obsolete expressions and barbarisms; also to distinguish the former from the latter in a dictionary for that purpose. To encourage this undertaking, the academicians are allowed all the immunities and privileges enjoyed by the domestic officers in the king's service, even those in the royal palace. The academy is not to put any thing to the press without permission from the council. Their device is a crucible on the fire, with this motto, "Limpia, fya, da esplendor." "It purifies, fixes, and gives brightness."

ACADEMY is also a term for schools and other seminaries of learning. Of these institutions the Jews had several; the most celebrated are those of Tiberias and Babylon, in which the Jewish Doctors instructed the youth in the Hebrew language, and explained to them the Talmud, and the secrets of the Cabbala. The Romans had two institutions of this kind, where youth were instructed in general literature and science; one at Rome founded by Adrian, the other at Brytus in Phoenicia. The former was famous for the sciences, the latter for the law.

In consequence of the revival of literature, about the 16th century, public schools or acadeinies were formed all over Europe; at Padua, Modena, Naples, Capua, Toulouse, Salamanca, Cologne, and Lyons. The academy of Paris surpassed all the rest in its extended scale of education, the ability of its professors, and the multitude of students by whom it was attended; and was hence distinguished by the title of University, to denote its embracing the whole circle of science. Soon after which, other schools of learning formed themselves upon the same model, and obtained the same title. In the 16th century, academies were founded by the Lutherans at Jena, Helmstadt, and Altorf; and by the Calvinists in Franeker, Leyden, Geneva, and many other places.

The dissenters of England, in consequence of the introduction of certain oaths after the restoration of Charles II. to which they cannot conscientiously subscribe, have been excluded from the Universities, and have formed academies among themselves. Success has amply rewarded their exertions; and the dissenting ministers in these institutions are not only educated and supported on the foundation, but in some respects enjoy advantages not found in the universities.

In many of them, they attend six years; have public examinations once every year; and, different from the universities, the students are expected to attend the whole of the time, with the exception of a few weeks allowed after the vacation, to visit different congregations, in the capacity of ministers.

The importance of these institutions to so large a part of the community as the protestant dissenters, must be obvious; and their support, entirely by voluntary subscriptions, evinces a degree of public feeling, worthy of the cause in behalf of which they are established.

The oldest of these academies is Homerton. In this institution two foundations are united; one as old as the restoration, the other as recent as 1730. It was removed from Mile End, and had at that time three professorships, filled by Dr. D. Fisher, as classical tutor; Dr. Conder as divinity tutor; and Dr. T. Gibbons, the biographer of Dr. Watts, as professor of rhetoric and belles lettres. The classical chair of this institution has always stood high. It is filled at present by Dr. Pye Smith, author of some excellent classical publications. The academy receives 20 students, and has furnished some of the most valuable ministers and able theologians that have appeared amongst protestant dissenters.

The Old College at Hoxton, or as it was originally called, The Evangelical Academy, was founded in 1783, and removed to its present situation in 1791. It has professors in languages, logic, mathematics, rhetoric, and belles lettres, divinity, elocution, &c. Dr. Harris is the resident tutor. At present it receives about 40 students, who are examined every year before a public assembly of ministers and literary gentlemen, in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Samaritan, Arabic, and Chaldee languages and other departments of literature, science, and theology; after which three of the students deliver orations in the academy chapel adjoining the institution, and a report is made accordingly of the meeting. Some of the most eminent men of the present day, were educated at this institution. It is said that a considerable enlargement of the institution is in contemplation; also its removal to a more eligible part of the town. The general plan of the institution is common to all dissenting academies, particularly the public examinations.

The New College at Hackney, was formed on Arian and Unitarian principles. High hopes of literary eminence were entertained from the names attached to its original foundation. Dr. Kippis, editor of the Biographia Britannica, Gilbert Wakefield, who seceded from the national church, and Mr. Belsham presided over its concerns. Dissentions however prevailed, and it dwindled away. It is now revived on Calvinistic principles, and is become an important and useful institution; Rev. T. Collison, A.M. is the resident tutor.

Rotheram, near Sheffield, is famous for an Academy of considerable eminence, that flourished as early as 1756. The late Dr. Williams presided for many years, and was a man of eminent attainments. His reply to Bishop Tomline's publication, entitled, A Refutation of Calvinism,

is considered by eminent judges to be the best defence of modern Calvinism. The academy bas no connexion with the original one of Heckmondwicke; but was pronounced a new institution by a committee of the founders held at Halifax on the 11th of September, 1794. It has supplied many able theologians and useful ministers. An Academy of considerable eminence subsists at Gosport, and was lately under the presidency of Dr. Bogue, an eminent theologian recently deceased. In this institution missionary students are educated by the London Missionary Society, by which they are sent to every part of the world. The general laws and regulations are similar to those of other dissenting institutions.

At Newport Pagnel is an Academy for the education of dissenting ministers under the superintendence of T. P. Bull, A. M.

At Axminster also is a similar important institution, under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Small, a gentleman of ability and erudition. Both these institutions have furnished many useful and excellent ministers.

The Academy at Wymondly, is an extensive and liberal institution, originally established by the late Dr. Doddridge. This establishment has been justly celebrated for classical learning and erudition.

The Academy at Idle, is under the superintendence of the Rev. W. Vint and other gentlemen of eminence, whose labours have contributed, in no ordinary degree to the extensive usefulness and success of the institution.

The Academy at Blackburn, lately under the superintendence of the Rev. J. Fletcher, A. M. occupies a very conspicuous place amongst dissenting institutions, and is in a prosperous condition. It has furnished many useful ministers. The academies already named belong to the Calvinistic denomination of independent dissenters. The York Academy, established 1786, on the basis of the original academy at Warrington, is an English presbyterian institution, and has been associated with the celebrated names of Dr. J.Taylor, Hugh Farmer, Job Orton, &c. Dr. Aikin also, father of Mrs. Barbauld, Dr. Priestley, and Dr. Enfield were successively tutors at this place. Dr. Thomas Barnes presided in this establishment at its removal to Manchester in 1786; and was one of the principal founders of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. The classical and mathematical chairs have been justly celebrated. In 1803, it was removed to York. The number of students educated is 20.

The Baptist denomination have several institutions, conducted on an extensive scale, and their usefulness cannot be too highly appreciated.

The first of these is at Bristol, and was lately under the superintendence of Dr. Ryland, whose erudition and talents were well known to the country. The number of students is considerable. Missionary students are educated here.

Stepney Academy is of respectable rank as a dissenting institution, and is under the presidency of Rev. Dr. Newman. The number of students is considerable.

The Academy at Bradford is an institution on the same scale as that at Idle. It is under the

care of Dr. Steadman, whose labours in it have been very important. The general laws of these institutions are similar to those of the independent denomination. There are other similar dissenting institutions at Abergavenny, Exeter, Carmarthen, Wrexham, and others which our limits compel us to omit.

A Political Academy was formed at Paris before the revolution, consisting of six gentlemen, who met on certain days of the week, where they perused political papers, &c. the more effectually to qualify themselves for his majesty's rervice.

An Academy was formed at Berlin, in 1703, by Frederic I. to educate the nobility of the court suitably to their extraction. The king paid all extraordinaries, which rendered the expence moderate. It was called the Academy of Princes, but is now much decayed.

MILITARY ACADEMIES.-The Romans had military academies established all over Italy, which they called Campi Martii, where the youth were trained for war at the public expence.

These institutions were not uncommon in Greece, and were superintended by Tactici, who taught the higher offices of war.

We have three seminaries of this description: the Naval Academy at Portsmouth, the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, and the Royal Military College at Farnham and Sandhurst.

The Naval Academy at Portsmouth, was founded by George I. in 1722, although the official warrant is dated 1729. Originally the warrant specified but 40 young gentlemen, fifteen of whom were to be the sons of commissioned officers in the navy. The navy commissioner of Portsmouth was ex-officio governor. Two masters were appointed to instruct the students in navigation and the introductory sciences; and an additional master for writing and drawing. The annual expence was about £1169. In 1806, an order was issued for a new and enlarged establishment, denominated, The Royal Naval College at Dock Yard, Portsmouth, of which the first lord of the admiralty was to be governor; and a lieutenant governor and inspector was to be provided, who should be a post-captain in the navy. A professor of mathematics is appointed, who receives £8 annually from each student. There is also a master, a graduate of one of the universities, who teaches classics, moral philosophy, geography, history, &c.; and a writing-master, who teaches, besides writing, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. There are masters who teach French, drawing, dancing, fencing, &c. The master attendant of the dock-yard gives lessons on nautics, &c. illustrated by vessels in the harbour. The master shipwright of the dock-yard attends the students once a-week, through the dock-yard, illustrates to them the principles on which ships are built, &c. The gunner teaches gunnery, the use of the firelock, &c. The students remain three years, and before they are admitted, their friends give a bond of £200 that they shall enter the sea service. The three years that they remain stands for two of the six years they are required to serve as midshipmen before advancement. The first year they are at sea, they keep journals,draw head-lands, &c. &c.; and when the ship comes into port, they are to attend the

professor, who examines them. The institution, by an act of parliament, 1806, was extended beyond the original design of educating cadets for the navy. An education for shipwrights was established. The professor of the Naval Academy instructs them; and before an apprentice can be taken, he must pass an examination in the first six books of Euclid, and in French, and is then bound to the dock-yard seven years; six of which he spends at the academy, and one at sea. The salary of the apprentices is £60, increasing yearly to £140. They spend half the day with the professor, and half with the master shipwright. From this class, officers and superintendents of naval architecture are commonly chosen.

The Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, established by George II. in the year 1741, was intended to instruct "raw and inexperienced people belonging to the military ordnance in the several parts of the mathematics, necessary for the service of the artillery," &c. In 1776, the number of cadets amounted to 48, and in 1798 to 140. The building in the royal arsenal being in an unhealthy situation, the academy was removed to buildings erected for that purpose on Woolwich Common; 128 cadets were lodged, and 60 were received at the royal arsenal. In 1810, the East India Company withdrew their cadets, who amounted to 40, and the extra cadets who, for want of room were placed chiefly at Marlow, were taken into the college. The academy now consists of 200 cadets, 72 of whom reside in the arsenal. There is one master for every 16 cadets. The whole number may be enumerated as follows: a professor of fortification, with two assistants; a professor of mathematics, with six assistants; two French masters; three drawing masters, one for figures, one for landscapes, and one for ground; the latter has an assistant. There is also a dancing-master, a fencing master, two modellers, and a lecturer on chemistry. Lectures are also given on philosophy. The inferior parts of education are taught at the arsenal, the higher branches on the Common. The cadets are the sons of noblemen, gentlemen, or military officers. They are considered as the 1st Company of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and are divided into companies, with proper officers, &c. Each cadet receives 2s. 6d. per day, which covers his expences. Monthly reports are given of the advancement of each in his respective studies, and commissions are distributed according to their merit.

The Royal Military College at Farnham, in Surrey, and at Sandhurst, near Bagshot, was originally settled at High Wycombe and Great Marlow. That at High Wycombe commenced in 1799, when there were 34 cadets. In 1801 it was denominated the Royal Military College by his majesty's warrant, and a supreme board of commissioners appointed to superintend its concerns. In 1802, by his majesty's warrant, a

ACADEMY FIGURE, in painting, is a technical name for an outline of the human subject taken from the life. Also the copy of such a draught. ACADIA, or ACADIE, a country in N. America, so called by the French, while they had possession of it, now NOVA SCOTIA, which see. It is

junior department was formed. Another warrant, issued in 1808, places both departments, forming one college, under the governor and lieutenantgovernor. The number of cadets of the junior department was to be 412; and to be divided into four distinct companies, each 103. They are, first, orphan sons of officers who have died or been disabled in the service. They are to be admitted free of expense, but to bring their first suit of uniform, and to be provided with linen,&c. Secondly, the sons of officers serving, who pay a sum annually, according to their rank, of from £10 to £60; and, thirdly, sons of noblemen and gentlemen who pay each not less than £100 per annum. The studies are mathematics, philosophy, history, geography, fortification, military drawing and landscape, arithmetic, classics, French, German, writing, &c. There are four masters of fortification, five of military drawing, three of landscape drawing, four of history, geography, and classics, six of French, one of German, seven of mathematics, three of fencing. This course lasts from three and a half to four years. The candidate before admission, must pass examination, and must be between 13 and 15 years of age. There are monthly and half-yearly examinations previous to any of the cadets receiving commissions from the college, on which occasion, if the examiners approve their proficiency, they have certificates of qualification to serve as officers in the army. The third class may purchase commissions at any time, but cannot obtain them from the college till their proficiency is approved. The senior department is intended for the instruction of officers in the higher parts of their profession. For this purpose they study mathematics, gunnery, fortification, military drawing, castramentation, surveying, reconnoitring of ground, the disposition and the movement of troops, and all the rules and principles requisite in different circumstances of offensive and defensive war, &c. &c. together with the French and German languages. There are six professors: one for mathematics, one for fortification, two for military drawing, one for French, and one for German. The number of students is 37. No officer is admitted till he is 21 years of age, and has served with his regiment three or four years. Each student pays thirty guineas annually; and is obliged, the latter part of the time, to keep a horse. If an officer concludes his studies, and passes his examination with credit, he receives a certificate signed and sealed that he is fit for a staff appointment. The students wear uniforms, are subject to the articles of war, and receive 2s. 6d. per day. In 1801, 500 acres of land being purchased at Sandhurst near Bagshot, spacious buildings were erected, and the junior department removed there, the senior department remaining still at Farnham. The East India Company, having withdrawn their cadets from the institution already mentioned, have established one at Hertford, for which see HERTFORD.

still the name of a small picturesque settlement of the French, on the river Montreal, Lower Canada.

ACENA, in antiquity, akaiva, Gr. a Grecian decemped, or ten-foot rod, used in measuring their lands.

ACENA, in botany, a genus of plants belong

ing to the class tetrandria, order, monogynia. There is only one species, a native of Mexico. ACAJAIBA, or ACAJOU, in botany, a name given by some authors, to the tree that produces the Cashew nuts. It is the ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE of Linnæus, which see.

ACALANDRUS, in ancient geography, a river falling into the bay of Tarentum, near Metapontum. Pliny iii. 2.

ACALEPHE, in botany, the nettle of Theophrastus and Dioscorides.

ACALEPHE, in ornithology, a water-fowl, mentioned by Nicander; also in zoology, a sea animal, mentioned by Aulus Gellius.

ACALYPHA, in botany, the three-seeded mercury, a genus of plants belonging to the class monoecia, order monodelphia. There are five species, all natives of Virginia.

ACAMAS, in ancient history, the son of Theseus, who followed his father to the siege of Troy, and being sent along with Diomedes to the Trojans, to solicit the restoration of Helen, Laodice, one of Priam's daughters, had a son by him, called Munitus. He was one of the Grecians who afterwards concealed themselves in the wooden horse; also a son of Antenor, the Trojan; and a Thracian monarch, who assisted king Priam in the Trojan war.

ACAMANTIUM, a city of Phrygia.

ACAMATOS, from a negative kapvw, to be wearied. In medicine that position of a limb, which is equally distant from flexion and extension.

ACANACEOUS. See ACENTHACEOUS. ACANAPHORA, in botany, a name given by some, to the jacea, or common knap-weed. ACANGIS, adventurers, or ravagers; a name given by the Turks to their hussars, who are sent out to procure intelligence, and ravage the enemy's country.

ACANOR, a particular kind of chemical fur-
See ATHANOR.

nace.

ACANTHA, from Axavoa, Gr. a thorn, in anatomy, the protuberances of the vertebræ of the back, commonly called spina dorsi, or the spine. ACANTHA, in botany, the prickle of a plant. ACANTHA, in zoology, the spine, or prickly fins of fish.

ACANTHION, among naturalists, a plant of the thorn, or rather of the thistle kind whose down, being cleansed from the prickles, was manufactured into a kind of stuff, not unlike silk. ACANTHIS, in ornithology, a bird mentioned by Virgil, Georg. iii. supposed to be the linnet.

ACANTHONOTUS, or NASUs, in ichthyology, a genus of fish of the Indian seas, described by Black as characterised by an elongated body, dorsal fins with spines on the back and abdomen.

ACANTHOPTERYGII, in ichthyology, from Arava, a thorn, and πтeρvуtov, a fin. A class of fishes, in the Linnæan system, the character of which is, that the rays of the fins are bony, and some of them prickly at the extremities. This class contains 17 genera.

ACANTHOS, or ACANTHUS, a town of Egypt, near Memphis, now Bisalta or Dachour.

ACANTHOS, a maritime town of Macedonia, W. of mount Athos, row called Erisso. Near this was Xerxes's ditch, or canal, whereby he attempted to separate Athos from the continent, to convey his ships without doubling the mount into the Singitic bay. Also a town of Epirus, and an island mentioned by Pliny, v. 32.

ACANTHUS, bear's-breech, or brank-ursine, in botany, a genus of the angiospermia order, belonging to the didynamia class of plants; and ranking in the 40th natural order, personatæ. See BOTANY.

ACANTHUS, in architecture, an ornament representing the leaves of the acanthus, used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders. To the Corinthian capital this ornament adds its characteristic beauty: “The whole plant," as Mr. Elmes elegantly observes, “ surrounds with its aspiring leaves, the vase or ball of the capital, as if attempting to lift up the abacus that covers the whole; they then turn down and form themselves into graceful volutes." ACANTHUS, a name given by Theophrastus to the acacia tree.

ACANTHURUS, in ichthyology, a subdivision of the Linnæan genus, chatodon, containing 15 species, according to Dr. Shaw.

ACAPATLI, in botany, the piper longum of Linnæus, or the plant which produces long pepper.

ACAPELLA, in church music, denotes that the instrumental and vocal are to continue in

unison.

ACAPNON, акaπvov, in botany, a name of the sampsuchum, or marjoram also of dry wood.

ACAPULCO, or Los REGES, a considerable town and port in Mexico, on the South Sea, the capital of New Spain. A ship annually sails hence to Manilla, in the Philippine Islands, near the coast of China, laden with precious metals