their whole policy, in an elaborate historical survey, addressed to his constituents. His sworn narrative and explanations of the conduct of those who voted for colonel Burr, in congress, in 1801, and his printed Letters, in refutation of Mr. Monroe's charges, evince further the deep concern which he took in the reputation of the federalists and the cause of truth. General Harper was above the middle size, well shaped, muscular and robust; of erect, firm gait; of regular features and expressive countenance, and of active habits. His constitution was strong and equal to fatigue, bodily or mental, until the last two years, after he had undergone a severe attack of the bilious fever. This enfeebled and extenuated his frame, and entailed upon him, or was followed by, a dangerous affection, called angina pectoris, which kills suddenly, and when the patient may appear, and suppose himself to be, in good health. Against this formidable enemy, he employed a strict diet and regimen, and much exercise in the open air, and at length believed it to be subdued. Being engaged in a very important cause, in the second week in January, 1825, in one of the Baltimore courts, he finished his argument in the morning of the 14th. The next morning, he breakfasted in good appetite and spirits, and, on rising from the table, stood near the fire, with a newspaper in his hand. In a few minutes, he was perceived to be falling, by his son, who caught him in his arms, but, ere medical aid could be procured, he was dead. He was 60 years of age.

HARPER'S FERRY; a post-village in Jefferson county, Virginia, at the junction of the Shenandoah with the Potomac; it is eight miles E. N. E. of Charleston, and 65 W. N. W. of Washington. The celebrated passage of the Potomac, at this place, is an object truly grand and magnificent. The eye takes in, at a glance, on the north side of the Potomac and Shenandoah, at their junction, an impetuous torrent, foaming and dashing over numerous rocks, which have tumbled from precipices that overhang them; the picturesque tops and sides of the mountains, the gentle and winding current of the river below the ridge, presenting, altogether, a landscape capable of awakening the most delightful and sublime emotions. "This scene," says Mr. Jefferson, "is worth a Voyage across the Atlantic." There is at this place, belonging to the U. States, a very extensive establishment for the manufacture of arms. It was founded in 1798, and now employs about 260 work

men. There are eight large brick buildings, six on the Potomac, and two on the Shenandoah, two miles distant, occupied by the works; also two large brick buildings, occupied as an arsenal. The village contains about 1000 inhabitants.

HARPIES (Apviai, Greek); the rapacious goddesses of storms. Their ages, appearance, names and number, are so differently given by the poets, that it is difficult to say any thing definite concerning them. They are represented, by Homer, as residing near the Erinnyes, on the ocean, before the jaws of hell, and as goddesses of storms. If any one was absent so long from home, that it was not known what had become of him, and he was supposed to be dead, it was commonly said, "The harpies have carried him off." Hesiod represents them as young virgins, of great beauty. The later poets and artists vied with each other in depicting them under the most hideous forms. One has given them the head of a hen, with wings, and a body covered with feathers, human arms, with claws, a white breast and human legs, which terminate in the feet of a hen. Others have given them the face of a young woman, with the ears of a bear. Spanheim's work contains three representations of the harpies, from coins and works of art, with the claws and bodies of birds. The first has a coarse female face; the second a completely feminine head, and two breasts; the third a visage ornamented with wreaths and a head-dress. There are also other representations of them. Leclerc supposes that they are an allegorical description of the noisy flight, the destruction, the stench and the contamination of locusts.

HARPOCRATES; the god of silence among the Egyptians; a son of Isis and Osiris. His statues represent him as holding one of his fingers on his mouth. They appear at the entrance of most of the Roman and Egyptian temples.

HARPOON. The harpoon is an instrument of iron, of about three feet in length. It consists of three conjoined parts, called the socket, shank and mouth, the latter of which includes the barbs, or withers. This instrument, if we except a small addition to the barbs, and some enlargement of dimensions, maintains the same form in which it was originally used in the fishery two centuries ago. At that time, the mouth, or barbed extremity, was of a triangular shape, united to the shank in the middle of one of the sides, and this, being scoped out on each side of the shank, formed two simple flat barbs. In the

course of the last century, an improvement was made, by adding another small barb, resembling the beard of a fish-hook, within each of the former withers, in a reverse position. The two principal withers, in the present improved harpoon, measure about eight inches in length and six in breadth; the shank is eighteen inches to two feet in length, and four tenths of an inch in diameter; and the socket, which is hollow, swells from the size of the shank to near two inches in diameter, and is about six inches in length. To this weapon is fastened a long cord, called the whale-line, which lies carefully coiled in the boat, in such a manner as to run out without being interrupted or entangled. As soon as the boat has been rowed within a competent distance of the whale, the harpooner launches his instrument; and the fish, being wounded, immediately descends under the ice with amazing rapidity, carrying the harpoon along with him, and a considerable length of the line, which is purposely let down, to give him room to dive. Being soon exhausted with the fatigue and loss of blood, he reascends, in order to breathe, where he presently expires, and floats upon the surface of the water; when the whalers approach the carcass by drawing in the whale-line. The line is 60 to 70 fathoms long, and made of the finest and softest hemp, that it may slip the easier; if not well watered, by its friction against the boat it would soon be set on fire; and if not sufficiently long, the boat would be soon overset, as it frequently is. With the harpoon, other large fish, as sturgeons, &c., are also caught. When the harpoon is forced, by a blow, into the fat of the whale, and the line is held tight, the principal withers seize the strong ligamentous fibres of the blubber, and prevent it from being withdrawn ; and, in the event of its being pulled out so far as to remain entangled by one wither only, which is frequently the case, then the little reverse barb, or stop wither, as it is called, collecting a number of the same reticulated sinewy fibres, which are very numerous near the skin, prevents the harpoon from being shaken out by the ordinary motions of the whale. The point and exterior edges of the barbs of the harpoon are sharpened to a rough edge, by means of a file. This part of the harpoon is not formed of steel, as it is frequently represented, but of common, soft iron, so that, when blunted, it can be readily sharpened by a file, or even by scraping it with a knife. The most important part in the construction of this instrument, is the

shank. As this part is liable to be forcibly and suddenly extended, twisted and bent, it requires to be made of the softest and most pliable iron.

Harpoon-Gun. The harpoon-gun is well calculated to facilitate the capture of whales, under particular circumstances, especially in calm weather, when the fish are apt to take the alarm at the approach of boats within 15 or 20 yards of them. The harpoon gun was invented in the year 1731, and used by some individuals with success. Being, however, somewhat difficult and dangerous in its application, it was laid aside for many years. It has, however, subsequently been highly improved, and rendered capable of throwing à harpoon nearly 40 yards, with effect; yet, on account of the address which is requisite for the proper management of it, and the loss of fish which, in unskilful hands, it has been the means of occasioning, together with some accidents which have resulted from its use, it has not been so generally adopted as might have been expected. In its present improved form, the harpoon-gun consists of a kind of swivel, having a barrel of wrought iron, 24 to 26 inches in length, of 3 inches exterior diameter, and 13 inches bore. It is furnished with two locks, which act simultaneously, for the purpose of diminishing the liability of the gun missing fire. The shank of the harpoon fired from it is double, terminating in a cylindrical knob, fitting the bore of the gun. Between the two parts of the shank a wire ring slides freely, to which is attached the line. When the harpoon is introduced into the barrel of the gun, the ring with the attached line slides up, and remains on the outside, near the mouth of the harpoon; but, the instant that it is fired, the ring, of course, flies back against the cylindrical knob. Some harpoons have been lately made with a single shank, similar to the common hand harpoon, but swell at the end to the thickness of the bore of the gun. The line, closely spliced round the shank, is slipped towards the mouth of the harpoon, when it is placed in the gun, and, when fired, is prevented from disengaging itself by the size of the knob at the end. (For further information, see WhaleFishery.)

HARPSICHORD; a stringed instrument, consisting of a case framed of mahogany, or walnut-tree wood, and containing the belly, or sounding-board, over which the wires are distended, supported by bridges. In the front the keys are disposed, the long ones of which are the naturals, and the

short ones the sharps and flats. These keys being pressed by the fingers, their enclosed extremities raise little upright oblong slips of wood, called jacks, furnished with crow-quill plectrums, which strike the wires. The great advantage of the harpsichord beyond most other stringed instruments, consists in its capacity of sounding many notes at once, and forming those combinations, and performing those evolutions of harmony, which a single instrument cannot command. This instrument, called by the Italians clavicembalo, by the French clavecin, and in Latin grave cymbalum, is an improvement upon the clarichord, which was borrowed from the harp, and has, for more than a century, been in the highest esteem, and in the most general use, both public and private, throughout Europe; but, since the invention of that fine instrument, the grand piano-forte, the use of it has considerably diminished.

HARQUEBUSS (in the ancient statutes called also arquebus, haquebut, or hagbut) is a hand-gun, or fire-arm, of a proper length, &c., to be borne on the arm. The word is formed of the French arquebuse, and that from the Italian archibuso, or arco a buso (of arco, a bow, and buio, a hole), on account of the touch-hole, at which powder is put to prime it, and the circumstance of its having succeeded to the bows of the ancients. The harquebuss is, properly, a fire-arm, of the ordinary length of a musket or fowling-piece, cocked, usually, with a wheel. Hanzelet describes its legitimate length to be 40 calibres, and the weight of its ball one ounce seven-eighths; its charge of powder as much. There is also a larger kind, called arquebuse à croc, much of the nature of our blunderbusses. This was used, in time of war, to defend places, being usually rested on something when discharged. The first time these instruments were seen was in the imperial army of Bourbon, who drove Bonnivet out of the state of Milan. They were so heavy, that two men were employed to carry them.

HARRINGTON, James, a celebrated political writer, was born at Upton, in Northamptonshire, in 1611, and was educated at Trinity college, Oxford, under the care of the celebrated Chillingworth. On the death of his father, he visited the Netherlands, where he entered lord Craven's regiment, and, being quartered at the Hague, frequented the courts of the prince of Orange and the queen of Bohemia, and accompanied the elector palatine to Denmark. He subsequently visited Germany,

France and Italy; and, on his return to England, siding with the parliamentary party, in 1646, he accompanied their commissioners to Charles I at Newcastle, and, on their recommendation, was appointed groom of the stole to the king. In this capacity, he never disguised his republican sentiments; yet he was desirous of producing an accommodation between Charles and the parliament; which is supposed to have produced his removal from the king's person. During the protectorate, he passed his time in retirement, and occupied his leisure in writing his famous work, Oceana; which, after some opposition on the part of Cromwell, was published in 1656. In order to propagate his opinions, he established a sort of club, or debating society, called the rota, which was terminated by the restoration. Being arrested for a supposed plot against the government, of which he was entirely innocent, he was treated with great severity, and his release by habeas corpus evaded, by an arbitrary removal to St. Nicholas island, near Plymouth. Here, either from distress of mind, or improper medical treatment, his faculties became impaired; which, being represented to the king by his relations, led to his release. He partly recovered, and married a lady to whom he had been early attached. He died, of paralysis, in 1677, and was buried at St. Margaret's, Westminster. Harrington was a profound thinker. His Oceana, which is a political romance, and the Utopian image of a republic, is a work of genius, thought and invention, and is characterized by an enthusiastic love of liberty. The writings of Harrington were published (in one volume, folio) by Tindal, in 1700, and again, more completely, by doctor Birch, in 1737.

HARRIS, James, a learned writer on philology and the philosophy of language, was born at Salisbury, in 1709. Having passed through his preliminary studies, he entered as a gentleman commoner of Wadham college, Oxford, at the age of 16; after which he became a probationer at Lincoln's Inn. The death of his father put him in possession of an independent fortune at the age of 23; on which he retired to his native place, to dedicate his time to classical literature. In 1744, he published a volume, containing three treatises,-On Art; on Music and Painting; and On Happiness. This was a prelude to the most celebrated of his productions, Hermes, or a Philosophical Enquiry concerning Universal Grammar. This work displays much ingenuity, and an extensive

acquaintance with the writings of the Greek poets and philosophers; but the author's ignorance of the ancient dialects of Le northern natious has caused him to take an imperfect survey of his subject. In 1761, he was hosen member of parliament, and held several public places. In 1775, he published Philosophical Arrangements, part of a systematic work, which he had projected, as an illustration of the Logic of Aristotle. His concluding work, Philological Inquiries, was completed in 1780, but was not published till after his death (December 22, 1780). A collective edition of his works was published by his son, the earl of Malmesbury (2 vols. 4to., 1801).

HARRISBURG; a borough in Dauphin county, and the seat of government of the state of Pennsylvania, on the east bank of the Susquehannah, over which there is here erected a covered bridge, of 12 arches, which cost 193,000 dollars. The Pennsylvania canal passes along the eastern side of the town, and forms a large basin for a harbor; 35 miles W. N. W. Lancaster, 96 W. by N. Philadelphia. Population, in 1820, 2990; in 1830, 4307; and, including the adjoining village of McClaysburg, 4526. The whole number of houses in 1830 was 636; 431 of them frame houses, 201 of brick, and 4 of stone. Harrisburg is pleasantly situated, regularly laid out, and, in general, well built. The capitol is a spacious and elegant brick edifice, situated on a considerable elevation, on the outside of the town. From its cupola is presented a fine landscape, embracing a wide extent of cultivated country, the meanders of the river, swelling hills, and the neighboring mountains. The town contains a county court-house, a jail, two banks, a large Lancasterian school-house, capable of accommodating 1000 children; 10 places of public worship, for Presbyterians, Lutherans, German Reformed, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists,Unitarians, United Brethren, and Africans, one each; and eight printing-offices, from six of which newspapers are issued, two of them in the German language. It has also a steam-mill, a variety of manufacturing establishments, and is a place of considerable trade. Fifty years since, Harrisburg was a wilderness, inhabited by Indians.

HARRISON, Benjamin, a signer of the declaration of independence, was of a highly respectable family in Virginia. The date of his birth is not precisely known. He was a student in the college

of William and Mary, when his father and two sisters were simultaneously killed by a stroke of lightning. He went early into public life (in which his ancestors had long been distinguished), commencing his political career, in 1764, as a member of the legislature of his native province. The eminence which he acquired in that capacity, combined with the influence naturally accruing from fortune and distinguished family connexions, rendered it an object for the royal government to enlist him in their favor; and he was accordingly offered a seat in the executive council of Virginia, a station analogous to that of a privy-counsellor in England. This was a tempting bait to an ambitious young man; but as, even at that time, the measures of the British ministry indicated an oppressive spirit, he refused the proffered dignity, and always exerted his influence for the benefit of the people. When the time came for active resistance to the arbitrary acts of the government, he was not found backward. In the first general congress of 1774, he was a delegate, and consecrated his name, by affixing it to that declaration which can never be forgotten as long as liberty is worshipped. It is related concerning him, that, whilst signing the instrument, he happened to stand near Mr. Gerry, of Massachusetts, who was of a slender and spare form, while he was very corpulent; and, turning to him, after laying down the pen, he said, in a facetious way, "When the time of hanging comes, I shall have the advantage over you. It will be over with me in a minute, but you will be kicking in the air half an hour after I am gone." Mr. Harrison was particularly useful as chairman of the board of war. After his resignation of his seat, in 1777, he was elected to the house of burgesses of Virginia, of which he was immediately chosen speaker. This situation he occupied until the year 1782, when he was made chief magistrate of the state, and was twice reëlected. 1785, he retired into private life, but, in 1788, became a member of the convention of Virginia that ratified the present constitution of the United States. Of the first committee appointed by this body, that of privileges and elections, he was chosen chairman; but his age and infirmities prevented him from taking an active part in the debates. He, however, advocated the adoption of the constitution, with certain amendments. He died, of the gout, in 1791.

In

HARRISON, John; a skilful mechanic, celebrated as the inventor of the time

keeper for ascertaining the longitude at sea, and also of the gridiron-pendulum. He was born at Foulby, near Pontefract, in Yorkshire, in 1693, and was the son of a carpenter or builder, who brought him up to the same occupation. Before he had attained the age of 21, he found out, without instruction, how to clean clocks and watches, and made two clocks, chiefly of wood-work. In 1735, he executed his first machine for determining the longitude at sea, the merit of which he proved in a voyage to Lisbon. In 1739, he completed a second, and, in 1749, a third machine, which erred only three or four seconds in a week. He then turned his attention to the improvement of pocket watches, in which he succeeded so well, that he was induced to make a fourth machine, or time-keeper, in that form, which he finished in 1759. This chronometer, in two voyages, having been found to correct the longitude within the limits required by the act of parliament of the 12th of queen Anne, Harrison applied for the proposed reward of £20,000, which he received. This ingenious artist employed the latter part of his life in constructing a fifth improved time-keeper, on the same principle. This, after a ten weeks' trial, was found to have erred only four and a half seconds. He died in 1776. He was the author of a tract, entitled a Description concerning such Mechanism as will afford a nice or true Mensuration of Time (1775, 8vo.).

HARROWBY, Dudley Ryder, earl of, was born in 1762, and educated at St. John's, Cambridge. He was elected member of parliament for Tiverton, and became connected with Mr. Pitt and his party. In 1801, he was made treasurer of the navy, in the Addington administration, and, on Mr. Pitt's restoration to the head of the ministry, in 1804, received the scals of the foreign department. In 1812, he was made president of the council-a place which he held till the appointment of the duke of Wellington to the premiership, when he retired from public life. He was always an advocate of Catholic concessions, and an active patron of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He was created viscount Sandon and earl of Harrowby in 1809.

HARROW-ON-THE-HILL; a village of England, in Middlesex, situated on the highest hill in the county, and commanding one of the finest prospects of the metropolis on the east. It is famous for its free school, founded in the reign of Elizabeth, by John Lyon, and still con16

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sidered one of the first in the kingdom. Population of the parish, 3017; 10 miles N. W. London. Doctor Parr, sir William Jones, Sheridan, Byron, earl Spenser, sir Robert Peel, &c., were educated there.

HARSDORFER, George Philip, a distinguished scholar and poet of the 17th century, lived from 1607 till 1658. He was descended from a patrician family in Nűremberg, travelled through Holland, England, France and Italy, and acquired so much knowledge of languages, that he was called the learned. He was also a member of the high council at Nüremberg. His German and Latin works, historical and literary, fill 47 volumes. Yet he was neither a profound scholar nor a poetical genius. His best songs are to be found in his Frauenzimmergesprächen (Nűremberg, 1642, 8 vols.). With his friend and poetical companion, John Klai (Clajus), who was born at Meissen, 1616, and died (1656) at Kitzingen in Franconia, where he was a preacher, he instituted at Nüremberg, in 1644, the Order of Flowers, or Society of Shepherds of the Pegnitz, which is yet in existence. The purity of the German language was the object of this society, which numbered princes and distinguished scholars among its members. Klai's poems are partly in the collection published by the Shepherds of the Pegnitz, and have been partly published by themselves.

HART, John, a signer of the declaration of independence, was born in New Jersey, and was the son of a farmer, who left him a considerable estate, and whose occupation he followed. He was distinguished for sound sense and integrity, and was frequently chosen to the colonial legislature, in which he always evinced attachment to liberal principles. In 1774, "honest John Hart" as he was called, was one of the first deputed from New Jersey to the general congress at Philadelphia. His moderation and cool judgment enabled him to render valuable services; and these, combined with his zeal and inflexible rectitude and firmness, caused him to be frequently reclected. He gave his vote for, and signed the declaration of independence with peculiar ardor. Near the end of the year 1776, New Jersey became the theatre of war; and, in the destruction of property which was made by the enemy, that of Mr. Hart, as of a rebel especially obnoxious, suffered to a great extent. Active exertions were also made to take him prisoner, and he was hunted about for some time, without intermission, after being obliged to fly from his house,