H.

H, as an old Latin numeral, denotes 200, and with a dash above it (H̅) 200,000.

Habena, R. (habeo, to hold). A term with numerous meanings, all of which were connected more or less with the idea of a thong or strap. In the singular, it signifies a halter; in the plural,habenæ, reins.

Habergeon. A coat of mail, or breastplate.

Habited, Her. Clothed.

HackbutorHagbut. Arquebus with a hooked stock.

Hackney Coach(from the Frenchcoche-à-haguenée). Thehaguenéewas a strong kind of horse formerly let out on hire for short journeys.

Hadrianea, R. Small buildings in which Christians were allowed to meet, in virtue of an edict granted in their favour by the Emperor Hadrian.

Hæmatinon, R. (αἱμάτινον, of blood). A kind of glassy substance of a beautiful red, and susceptible of taking a fine polish. It was used to make small cubes for mosaic or small works of art.

Hagiographa(sacred writings). A name applied to those books of Scripture which, according to the Jewish classification, held the lowest rank in regard to inspiration. These are the books of Ruth, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, and Chronicles.

Hair.TheAssyrianmonarchs are represented with beard elaborately plaited, and hair falling in ringlets on the shoulder, which may have been partly artificial, like that of the Persian monarchs, who, according to Xenophon, wore a wig. Both the hair and beard were dyed, and the eyes blackened with kohl, &c. (Layard.) TheEgyptianskept the head shaved, and wore wigs and beard-boxes. TheHebrewsgenerally wore the hair short, but the horse-guards of King Solomon “daily strewed their heads with gold dust, which glittered in the sun.” (Josephus.) The ancientGreekswore their hair long. TheAthenianswore it long in childhood, had it cut short at a solemn ceremony when they became eighteen years of age, and afterwards allowed it to grow, and wore it rolled up in a knot on the crown of the head, fastened with golden clasps (crobylus,corymbus). Women wore bands or coifs (sphendone,kekryphalus,saccus,mitra). Youths and athletes are represented with short hair. The favourite colour was blonde (xanthus); black was the most common. The ancientRomansalso wore long hair; about 300B.C.the practice of wearing it short came in (cincinnus,cirrus). The Roman women anciently dressed their hair very plainly, but in the Augustan period adopted some extravagant fashions. Each of the gods is distinguished by his peculiar form of hair: that of Jupiter is long and flowing; Mercury has close curling hair, &c. TheDanes,Gauls, andAnglo-Saxonswore long flowing hair, and the shearing of it was a punishment: when Julius Cæsar conquered the Gauls, he cut off their long hair. Among the earlyFrankishkings long hair was the privilege of the blood royal. From the time ofClovisthe French nobility wore short hair, but as they grew less martial the hair became longer. François I. introduced short hair, which prevailed until the reign of Louis XIII., which was followed by the period of periwigs and perukes of Louis XIV. The variations from the Conquest to the last generation inEnglandare so striking and frequent that each reign may be distinguished by its appropriate head-dress. (ConsultFairholt’s Costume in England,Planché’s Cyclopædia of Costume, &c.)

Hair-cloth.(SeeCilicium.)

Hair PencilsorBrushesare made of the finer hairs of the marten, badger, polecat, camel, &c., mounted in quills or white iron tubes. The round brushes should swell all round from the base, and diminish upwards to a fine point, terminating with the uncut ends of the hair. (SeeFitch.)

Halbert.A footman’s weapon in the form of a battle-axe and pike at the end of a long staff.

Halcyon.The ancient name of theAlcedoor king-fisher; hence—

Halcyon Days, i. e. the calm and peaceful season when the king-fisher lays its eggs in nests close by the brink of the sea; i. e. seven days before and as many after the winter solstice.

“Seven winter dayes with peacefull calme possestAlcyonsits upon her floating nest.”(Sandy’s Ovid, Met.b. xi.)

“Seven winter dayes with peacefull calme possest

Alcyonsits upon her floating nest.”

(Sandy’s Ovid, Met.b. xi.)

Hall-marks.The Goldsmiths of London formed their company in 1327, and were incorporated by charter in 1392. The hall-marks, in the order of their introduction, are as follows:—1. The leopard’s head, called the king’s mark. 2. The maker’s mark, originally a rose, crown, or other emblem with or without initials. 3. The annual letter, in the order of the alphabet from A to V, omitting J and U. This mark is changed every twenty years. 4. The lionpassant, added in 1597. 5. Instead of the leopard’s head (1) for the king’s mark, the lion’s headerased, introduced in 1697 when the standard was changed, and, 6, a figure of Britannia substituted for the lionpassant(4) at the same time. Plate with this mark is calledBritanniaplate. The old standard (of 11 oz. 2 dwt. pure gold in the lb.) was restored in 1719. 7. The head of the reigning sovereign in profile, ordered in 1784, when a fresh duty was laid upon plate.

Halling, O. E. Tapestry.

Hallowmas, Chr. The feast of All Souls, or the time about All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days, viz. the 1st and 2nd of November; and thence toCandlemas, or the 2nd of February.

Halmos, Gr. and R. A vessel of round form, supported on a raised stand entirely distinct from the vessel itself; it was used as a drinking-cup.

HalmoteorHalimote. The Saxon name for a meeting of tenants, now called acourt baron.

Halteres(Gr.ἁλτῆρες), in the gymnastic exercises of the Greeks and Romans, were masses of lead, iron, or stone held in the hands to give impetus in leaping, or used as dumb-bells.

Ham(Scotchhame). A Saxon word for a place of dwelling,a home; hence “HAMLET.” “This word,” says Stow, “originally meant the seat of a freeholder, comprehending the mansion-house and adjacent buildings.”

Hama, Gr. and R. (ἄμηorἅμη). A bucket used for various purposes.

Hamburg White.(SeeCarbonate of Lead,Barytes.)

HamesorHeames, Her. Parts of horses’ harness.

HammerorMartel, Her. Represented much like an ordinary hammer.

HamusorHamulus. A fish-hook.

Fig. 376. Hanaper.

Hanaper, O. E. (Mod.hamper). A wicker basket. (Fig.376.) Writs in the Court of Chancery were thrown into such a basket (in hanaperio), and the office was called from that circumstance the Haniper Office. It was abolished in 1842.

Handkerchiefsembroidered in gold were presented and worn as favours in the reign of Elizabeth. Paisley handkerchiefs were introduced in 1743.

Fig. 377. Bronze door-handle. Roman.

Handle, Gen. In antiquity the leaves of a door were fitted with handles like those of our own day. Fig.377represents a bronze handle consisting of a double ring. Of these, the inner one could be raised so as to allow a person’s hand to take hold of it, and draw the door his own way. This work of art is at the present time in the Museum of Perugia.

Handruffs, O. E. Ruffles.

Handseax. The Anglo-Saxon dagger.

Hanger, O. E. A small sword worn by gentlemen with morning dress in the 17th century.

HangersorCarriages, O. E. Appendages to the sword-belt from which the sword hung, often richly embroidered or jewelled.

Hanselines(15th century). Loose breeches. (SeeSlop.)

Haphe, Gr. and R. (ἁφὴi.e. a grip). The yellow sand with which wrestlers sprinkled themselves over after having been rubbed with oil. The object of this sprinkling was to enable the wrestlers to take a firmer grasp one of the other.

Hara, Gr. and R. A pig-sty, especially for a breeding sow. The term also denoted a pen for geese.

Hare, Chr. In Christian iconography the hare symbolizes the rapid course of life. Representations of this animal are met with on lamps, engraved stones, sepulchral stones, &c.

Harlequin(It.Harlequino, or little Harlay). The name is derived from that of a famous Italian comedian, who appeared in Paris in the time of Henri III., and from frequenting the house of M. de Harlay was so called by his companions. (Ménage.)

Harmamaxa, Gr. and R. (ἁρμ-άμαξα). A four-wheeled carriage or litter covered overhead, and enclosed with curtains. It was generally large, and drawn by four horses, and richly ornamented. It was principally used for women and children.

Harmonica.A musical instrument consisting of a number of glass cups fixed upon a revolving spindle, and made to vibrate by friction applied to their edges. These “musical glasses” are described in a work published in 1677. Aharpsichord-harmonicais a similar instrument, in which finger-keys like those of a pianoforte are used. (See the article inEncyl. Brit., 8th edition.)

Harmonium.A musical instrument having a key-board like a pianoforte, and the sounds (which resemble those of organ pipes) produced by the vibration of thin tongues of metal.

Harp.TheEgyptianshad various kinds of harps, some of which were elegantly shaped and tastefully ornamented. The name of the harp wasbuni. Its frame had no front pillar. The harps represented on the monuments varied in size from 6½ feet high downwards, and had from 4 to 28 strings. A beautiful Egyptian harp, in the Louvre collection, is of triangular shape with 21 strings, but, like all the harps represented on the monuments, it has no fore-pillar. The strings were of catgut.Assyriansculptures also represent harps. These also had no front pillar, and were about 4 feet high, with ornamental appendages on the lower frame. The upper frame contained the sound-holes and the tuning-pegs in regular order. The strings are supposed to have been of silk. TheGreekharp, calledkinyra, resembled the Assyrian, and is represented with 13 strings: it is an attribute of Polyhymnia. TheAnglo-Saxonscalled the harp thegleo-beam, or “glee-wood;” and it was their most popular instrument. King David playing a harp is represented on an A.S. monument of the 11th century. It was the favourite instrument of theGermanandCelticbards, and of theScandinavianskalds. It is represented with 12 strings and 2 sound-holes, and having a fore-pillar. A curiousIrishharp of the 8th century, or earlier, is represented in Bunting’s “Ancient Music of Ireland,” having no fore-pillar. TheFinnshad a harp (harpu,kantele) with a similar frame, devoid of a front pillar. InChristian arta harp is the attribute of King David and of St. Cecilia. St. Dunstan is also occasionally represented with it. In Heraldry the harp is the device and badge of Ireland. The Irish harp of gold with silver strings on a blue field forms the third quarter of the royal arms.

Harpaga,Harpago, Gr. and R. A general term, including any kind of hook for grappling; more particularly a military engine invented by Pericles, and introduced into the Roman navy by Duillius. It consisted of a joist about two yards and a half long, each face of which was coated with iron, and having at one end a harpoon of iron or bronze; the other end was fitted with an iron ring, to which a rope was attached, so as to enable it to be drawn back when it had once grappled a ship or its rigging.Harpagoorwolfwas the term applied to a beam armed with a harpoon, which was employed to break down the tops of walls, or widen a breach already made. [A flesh-hook used in cookery to take boiled meat out of the caldron.]

Harpastum, R. A small ball employed for a game in which the players formed two sides. They stationed themselves at some distance from a line traced on the ground or sand where theharpastumwas placed. At a given signal each player threw himself upon the ball, in order to try and send it beyond the bounds of the opposite party.

Harpies, Gen. (Ἅρπυιαι, i. e. the Snatchers). Winged monsters, daughters of Neptune and Terra, three in number, viz.Aëllo(the tempest),Ocypetê(swift-flying), andCêlêno; representing the storm-winds. They had the faces of old women, a vulture’s body, and huge claws; they were the representatives of the Evil Fates, and the rulers of storms and tempests. In Christian iconography the Harpies symbolize the devil and repentance. [In the so called “Harpy tomb” in the British Museum they are represented carrying off Camiro and Clytia, the daughters of Pandarus of Crete, as a punishment for his complicity with Tantalus in stealing ambrosia and nectar from the table of the gods.]

Harpsichord.A musical instrument intermediate between thespinet,virginals, &c., and thepianoforte, which supplanted it in the 18th century. It may be described as a horizontal harp enclosed in a sonorous case, the wires being struck with jacks armed with crow-quills, and moved with finger-keys.

Harquebus.An improvement of the hand-gun introduced in the 15th century, applying the invention of thetrigger.

Hart.A stag in itssixthyear.

HartorHind, in Christian art, originally typified solitude and purity of life. It was the attribute of St. Hubert, St. Julian, and St. Eustace.

Fig. 378. Heraldic Hart.

Hart, Her. A stag with attires; the female is a hind.

Fig. 379. Hasta—Roman ceremonial spear.

Hasta(Gr.ἔγχος). A spear used as a pike for thrusting, or as a missile for hurling from the hand, or as a bolt from an engine. Homer defines the spear as “a pole heavy with bronze.” Thehasta amentata, for hurling, had a leathern thong for a handle (amentum) in the middle;hasta purawas a spear without a head, and was a much-valued decoration given to a Roman soldier who had saved a citizen’s life;hasta celibariumwas a spear which, having been thrust into the body of a gladiator as he lay dead in the arena, was afterwards used at marriages to part the hair of the bride. A spear was set up before a place where sales by auction were going on, and an auction-room was hence calledHastarium. Different kinds of spear were thelanceaof the Greeks; thepilum, peculiar to the Romans; theveru,verutum, or “spit,” of the Roman light infantry; thegæsum, a Celtic weapon adopted by the Romans; thesparrus, our English spar orspear, the rudest missile of the whole class; and many others mentioned under their respective headings in this work.

Hasta Pura.In Numismatics, a headless spear or long sceptre, an attribute of all the heathen deities; a symbol of the goodness of the gods and the conduct of providence, equally mild and forcible.

Hastarium, R. A room in which sales were madesub hasta publica, that is, by public auction, under the public authority indicated by the spear. The term also denoted a list or catalogue of sale.

Hastile, R. (hasta). The shaft of a spear, and thence the spear itself, a goad, &c.

Fig. 380. Costume of a nobleman in Venice (16th century), showing the Hat of the period.

Hat(A.S.haet, a covering for the head). Froissart describes hats and plumes worn at Edward’s court in 1340, when the Garter order was instituted. Hats were originally of a scarlet-red colour, and made of “a fine kinde of haire matted thegither.” A remarkable series of changes in the fashion of hats is given inPlanché’s Encyclopædia of Costume. Our illustration represents a young Venetian noble of the Middle Ages. (See also the illustrations toPourpoint,Biretta,Bombards,Calash,Capuchon,Chapeau,Coronets, &c.)

Hatchment, Her. (foratchievement). An achievement of arms in a lozenge-shaped frame, placed upon the front of the residence of a person lately deceased, made to distinguish his rank and position in life.

Hauberk(Germ.Hals-berg, a throat-guard). A military tunic of ringed mail, of German origin, introduced in the 12th century.

Haumudeys, O. E. A purse.

Fig. 381. Hauriant.

Hauriant, Her. Said of fishes upright, “sucking the air.” (Fig.381.)

Hautboy.A wind instrument of the reed kind.

Haversack(Fr.havre-sac). A soldier’s knapsack.

Hawk, Egyp. This bird symbolizes the successive new births of the rising sun. The hawk is the bird of Horus. It stood, at certain periods, for the wordGod, and, with a human head, for the wordsoul. The sun (Ra) is likewise represented with a hawk’s head, ornamented with the disk.

Head-piece.An ornamental engraving at the commencement of a new chapter in a book.

Head-rail.The head-dress worn by Saxon and Norman ladies.

Healfang, A.S. The pillory, or a fine in commutation. “Qui falsum testimonium dedit, reddat regi vel terræ dominoHEALFANG.”

Heang-loo, Chinese. An incense-burner.

Fig. 382. Inscription, with hearts, found at Alise.

Heart.On numerous Christian tombs hearts maybe seen sculptured. Many archæologists have attempted to explain their meaning as symbols, but without entering on an unprofitable discussion of that question, it may be noticed that, in many cases, what archæologists have supposed to be hearts were nothing but ivy-leaves, which served as marks of separation between different words or sentences. Fig.382represents an inscription at Alise in which ivy-leaves figure, together with an ornament which some would insist were flames, if they were to take the leaves for hearts. When inscriptions, however, are defaced, the shape of the leaves is not nearly so distinguishable as in the figure. [One of the most frequent methods in which this emblem is introduced in Christian art is that the Saviour, or the Virgin Mary, is represented opening the breast to display the living heart—the natural symbol of Love, Devotion, or Sorrow. The Heart is an attribute of St. Theresa, St. Augustine, and other saints. The flaming heart is the emblem of charity. The heart pierced by seven daggers symbolizes the “seven sorrows” of Mary.]

Hecatesia, Gr. (Ἑκατήσια). Festivals held at Athens in honour of Hecatê.

Hecatomb, Gr. and R. (ἑκατόμβη). A sacrifice offered in Greece and Rome under special circumstances, and at which a hundred head of cattle (ἑκατὸν) were slain; whence the name of the festival. [The term was generally applied toallgreat sacrifices, of much less extent than that implied by its etymological meaning.]

Hecatompylæ, Gr. (ἑκατόμ-πυλαι). The city with a hundred gates; a name given to the Egyptian Thebes.

Hecatonstylon,Hecatonstyle, Gr. and R. (ἑκατὸνandστῦλος). A portico or colonnade with a hundred columns.

HecteorHectæus, Gr. = a sixth (R.modius). In dry measure, the sixth part of the medimnus, or nearly two gallons English. Coins of uncertain value bore the same name; they were sixths of other units of value.

Hegira(Arabichajara, to desert). The flight from Mecca, 16th July,A. D.622, from which Mohammedan chronology is calculated.

Helciarius, R. One who tows a boat. He was so called because he passed a rope round his body in the way of a belt, the rope thus forming a noose (helcium).

Helepolis, Gr. and R. (ἑλέ-πολις, the taker of cities). A lofty square tower, on wheels, used in besieging fortified places. It was ninety cubits high and forty wide; inside were nine stories, the lower containing machines for throwing great stones; the middle, large catapults for throwing spears; and the highest other machines. It was manned with 200 soldiers. The name was afterwards applied to other siege engines of similar construction.

Helical, Arch. (ἕλιξ, a wreath). A spiral line distinguished fromspiral. A staircase ishelicalwhen the steps wind round a cylindrical newel; whereas thespiralwinds round a cone, and is constantly narrowing its axis. The term is applied to the volutes of a Corinthian capital. (SeeHelix.)

Heliochromy(Gr.ἥλιος, the sun, andχρῶμα, colour). Process of taking coloured photographs.

Heliopolites, Egyp. One of the nomes or divisions of Lower Egypt, capital An, the sacred name for Heliopolis near Cairo.

Heliotrope.TheHæmatiteorblood-stone; a siliceous mineral of a dark green colour, commonly variegated with bright red spots.

Heliotropion, Gr. A kind of sun-dial. (SeeHorologium.)

Helix, Arch. (ἕλιξ, anything spiral). A small volute like the tendril of a vine placed under the Corinthian abacus. They are arranged in couples springing from one base, and unite at the summit.

Hellebore.A famous purgative medicine among the ancient Greeks and Romans. Philosophers prepared for work by drinking an infusion of the black hellebore, like tea. The best grew in the island of Anticyra in the Ægean Sea, and the gathering of it was accompanied by superstitious rites.

Fig. 383. Helm of a Gentleman or Esquire.

Helm,Helmet, Her. Now placed as an accessory above a shield of arms. Modern usage distinguishes helms according to the rank of the wearer. The termhelmwas applied by both Saxons and Normans, in the 11th century, to the conical steel cap with a nose-guard, which was the common head-piece of the day, and is depicted in contemporary illuminations, sculptures, and tapestries. Afterwards it was restricted to thecasque, which covered the whole head, and had an aventaile or vizor for the face. The use of thehelmfinally ceased in the reign of Henry VIII.

Fig. 384. Helmet or Burgonet of the 16th century.

Helmet.The diminutive ofHelm, first applied to the smaller head-piece which superseded it in the 15th century. (SeeGalea,Armet,Bascinet,Burgonet,Casque,Chapelle le Fer, &c.)

Hemi-(Gr.ἡμι-). Half; used in composition of words like the Latinsemiordemi.

Hemichorion(ἡμιχόριον). (SeeDichorea.)

Hemicyclium, Gr. and R. (ἡμι-κύκλιον). A semicircular alcove, to which persons resorted for mutual conversation. The term was also used to denote a sun-dial.

Hemina, Gr. and R. (ἡμίνα, i. e. half). A measure of capacity containing half a sextarius (equal to the Greekcotyle= half a pint English).

Hemiolia, Gr. and R. (ἡμι-ολία, i. e. one and a half). A vessel of peculiar construction employed especially by Greek pirates.

Fig. 385. Sun-dial (Hemisphærium).

Hemisphærium, R. A sun-dial in the form of a hemisphere; whence its name. (Fig.385.)

Hemlock, theConium maculatumof botanists, was the poison used by the ancient Greeks for the despatch of state prisoners. Its effects are accurately described in Plato’s description of the death of Socrates.

Heptagon(Gr.ἑπτὰ, seven, andγώνη, an angle). A seven-sided figure.

Hepteris, Gr. and R. (ἑπτ-ήρης). A ship of war with seven ranks of oars.

Heræa.Important Greek festivals, celebrated in honour of Hera in all the towns of Greece. At Argos, every fifth year, an immense body of young men in armour formed a procession, preceded by aHecatombof oxen, to the great temple of Hera, between Argos and Mycenæ, where the oxen were slaughtered, and their flesh distributed to the citizens.

Herald(Germ.Herold). An officer of arms. The heralds of England were incorporated by Richard III. The college now consists of three kings of arms, six heralds, and four pursuivants. The office of Earl Marshal, the supreme head of the English heralds, is hereditary in the family of the Duke of Norfolk. There is another herald king styled “Bath,” who is specially attached to that order; he is not a member of the college. The chief herald of Scotland is styled Lord Lyon King of Arms; that of Ireland, Ulster King of Arms.Chester heraldis mentioned in the reign of Richard II.,Lancaster king of armsunder Henry IV. (SeeMarshal,Kings of Arms, &c.)

Heralds’ College.A college of heralds was instituted in Rome by Numa Pompilius, and the office was held sacred among the most ancient Oriental nations. The institution was imported into England in the Middle Ages from Germany, a corporation of heralds, similar to thecollegium fetialiumof Rome, having been established in England in 1483 by Richard III. (SeePitiscus, tom. i., andHofmann, tom. ii.)

Hermæ, Gr. and R. (Ἑρμαῖ). Hermæ, a kind of pedestals surmounted only by the head, or, in some cases, the bust of Hermes. Great reverence was felt for these statues. Houses at Athens had one before the doors; they were also placed in front of temples, near tombs, at street corners, or as mile-stones on the high roads.Hermuli, or smallHermæ, were a common ornament of furniture, as pilasters and supports. The same name is applied to similar statues having a man’s head. This statue was probably one of the first attempts of art at plastic representation. Thephallusand a pointed beard originally were essential parts of the symbol. In place of arms there were projections to hang garlands on. Then a mantle was introduced from the shoulders. Afterwards the whole torso was placed above the pillar; and finally the pillar itself was shaped into a perfect statue. All these gradations of the sculptor’s art are traceable in existing monuments.

Hermæa.Festivals of Hermes, celebrated by the boys in the gymnasia, of which Hermes was the tutelary deity.

Hermeneutæ, Chr. (ἑρμηνευταί). Literally, interpreters. In the earliest ages of the Church, these were officials whose duty it was to translate sacred discourses or portions of Holy Scripture.

Herne-pan, O. E. (foriron-pan). Skull-cap worn under the helmet.

Heroum, Gr. (ἡρῷον, i. e. place of a hero). A kind ofÆdicula(q.v.), or small temple, which served as a funeral monument. Several representations of RomanHeroamay be seen in the British Museum, representing funeral feasts in a temple, carved on the face of a sarcophagus (in the Towneley collection).

Herring-bone Masonry.Common in late Roman or early Saxon walls, where the ornamental lines take a sloping, parallel, zigzag direction.

Herygoud, O. E. A cloak with hanging sleeves.

HeukorHuque, O. E. (1) Originally a cloak or mantle worn in the Middle Ages; then (2) a tight-fitting dress worn by both sexes. (Fairholt; see alsoPlanché,Encyclopædia.) There appears to be great uncertainty as to the character of this garment.

Hexaclinon, Gr. and R. (ἑξά-κλινος). A dining or banqueting couch capable of holding six persons.

Hexaphoron, Gr. and R. (ἑξά-φορον). A litter carried by six porters.

Hexapterygon, Chr. (ἑξα-πτέρυγον). A fan used by Greek Catholics, and so named because it has on it figures of seraphim with six wings. (SeeFanandFlabellum.)

Hexastyle, Arch. (ἑξά-στυλος). A façade of which the roof is supported by six columns.

Hexeris, Gr. (ἑξ-ήρης). A vessel with six ranks of oars.

HibernaorHyberna, R. A winter apartment. The halls in a Roman country house were built to face different ways according to the seasons;vernaandautumnalislooked to the east;hyberna, to the west;æstiva, to the north.

Hidage,Hidegild, A.S. A tax payable to the Saxon kings of England for everyhideof land. The word is indifferently used to signify exemption from such a tax.

Hidalgo(Span.hijo d’algo, son of somebody). An obsolete title of nobility in Spain.

Hieroglyphics, Egyp. (ἱερὸς, sacred, andγλύφω, to carve). Characters of Egyptian writing, the letters of which are figurative or symbolic. There are three kinds of Egyptian writing, thehieroglyphic, thehieratic, and thedemotic. Clement of Alexandria says that in the education of the Egyptians three styles of writing are taught: the first is called the epistolary (enchorialordemotic); the second thesacerdotal(hieratic), which the sacred Scribes employ; and the third thehieroglyphic. Other nations, as for instance the ancient Mexicans, have likewise employed hieroglyphics.

Hieromancy, Gr. and R. Divination from sacrifices.

Hieron, Gr. (ἱερὸν, i. e. holy place). The whole of the sacred enclosure of a temple, which enclosed the woods, the building, and the priests’ dwelling-place.

High-warp Tapestry.Made on a loom, in which the warp is arranged on a vertical plane,, as the Gobelins.Low-warp tapestryis made on a flat loom, as at Aubusson, Beauvais, and other places. It is made more rapidly, and is inferior in beauty to the former.

Hilaria.A great Roman festival in honour of Cybele, celebrated at the vernal equinox. It consisted chiefly of extravagant merry-making to celebrate the advent of spring.

Hippocampus, Gr. and R. A fabulous animal, which had the fore-quarters of a horse ending in the tail of a dolphin. [It is imitated from the little “sea-horse” of the Mediterranean, now common in aquariums; and in mural paintings of Pompeii is represented attached to the chariot of Neptune.]

Hippocentaur.A fabulous animal, composed of a human body and head attached to the shoulders of a horse. (See alsoCentaur.)

Hippocervus, Chr. A fantastic animal, half horse and half stag; it personifies the pusillanimous man who throws himself without reflection into uncertain paths, and soon falls into despair at having lost himself in them.

Hippocratia, Gr. Festivals held in Arcadia in honour of Neptune, who, by striking the earth with his trident, had given birth to the horse.

Fig. 386. Ground-plan of a Hippodrome.

Hippodromus, Gr. and R. The Greek name for an arena for horse and chariot races, in contradistinction to the stadium, which served for foot-racing. Fig.386represents the hippodrome at Olympia, taken from Gell’sItinerary of the Morea. The following is the key to the plan:—1, 2, and 3 arecarceres;A, the space included between the stalls orcarceres;B, starting-place for the chariots;C, the colonnade;D, the arena;E, the barrier;F, the goal;G, the space occupied by the spectators. [The word was also applied to the races themselves.] (See alsoCircus.)

Hippogryph.A mythical animal represented as a winged horse with the head of agryphon.

Hippopera, Gr. and R. (ἱππο-πήρα). A saddle-bag for travellers on horseback. (SeeAscopera.)

Hippotoxotes(ἱππο-τοξότης). A mounted archer. The Syrians, Persians, Medes, Greeks, and Romans had mounted archers among their light cavalry.

Histrio.An actor. TheGreekdramas were originally represented on the stage by one performer, who represented in succession the different characters. Æschylus introduced a second and a third actor. The actors were all amateurs, and it was not until a later period that the histrionic profession became a speciality. Sophocles and Æschylus both probably acted their own plays. TheRomanname for an actor,histrio, was formed from the Etruscanhister, a dancer. The earliesthistrioneswere dancers, and performed to the music of a flute; then Roman youths imitating them introduced jocular dialogue, and this was the origin of the drama. After the organization of the theatres, thehistrioneswere subjected to certain disabilities; they were a despised class, and excluded from the rights of citizenship. The greatest ofhistrionesin Rome were Roscius and Æsopus, who realized great fortunes by their acting.

Hobelarii, Med. Lat. (SeeHoblers.)

Hoblers, A.S. Feudal tenants bound to serve as light horsemen in times of invasion.

Hob-nob, O. E. (Saxonhabban, to have;næbban, not to have). “Hit or miss;” hence a common invitation to reciprocal drinking.

Hock-day,Hoke-day, orHock Tuesday.A holiday kept to commemorate the expulsion of the Danes. It was held on the second Tuesday after Easter.Hockingconsisted in stopping the highway with ropes, and taking toll of passers-by.

Hocus-pocus.Probably a profane corruption of the wordshoc est corpusused in the Latin mass.

Holocaust.A sacrifice entirely consumed by fire.

Holosericum(Gr.ὅλον, all;σηρικόν, silk). A textileall silk.

Holy Bread,Holy Loaf, orEulogia(Lat.panis benedictus). This was not the eucharistic bread (which was used in the wafer form for the Communion), but ordinary leavened bread, blessed by the priest after mass, cut up into small pieces and given to the people.

Holy-bread-skep, O. E. A vessel for containing the holy bread.

Holy Water Pot, Chr. A metal vessel frequently found at the doors of Roman Catholic churches, to contain the consecrated water, which was dispensed with theaspergillum.

Holy Water SprinklerorMorning Star, O. E. A military club or flail set with spikes, whichsprinkledthe blood about as theaspergillumsprinkles the holy water.

Fig. 387. Holy Water Stone (Renaissance).

Holy Water StoneorStoup, Chr. A stone receptacle placed at the entrance of a church for holding the holy water.

Honeysuckle Pattern.A common Greek ornament, fully described by its name. (SeeFleuron.)

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