a

nut, improperly called with us English It is especially necessary to protect amwalnut (J. regia), was discovered by Mi- putated limbs from the weather, by nicely chaux the elder, growing wild in the adapting a covering of clay to the exprovince of Ghilan, which lies on the posed surface, so as entirely to exclude Caspian sea, between lat. 35o and 40°. It ihe rain. This valuable tree would be a was introduced into Europe at a remote desirable accession to the U. States. Its period, and is now common in the central timber is, indeed, inferior to our own black parts of that continent, but flourishes most walnut, but the excellence of the fruit, in Italy, Spain, and the, south-western and the decided superiority of the oil in departments of France. It is a lofty and the preparation of colors, strongly recombeautiful tree. The fruit, in the wild mend it to American cultivators. It has state, contains a small, hard nut, of infe- succeeded perfectly in many parts of the rior quality; but in the cultivated varieties, country; but we are not aware that planthe nut is much larger, the shell becomes tations on a large scale have been any thin enough to be easily crushed by the where attempted.—The black walnut (J. fingers, and the kernel is very agreeably nigra) is found in most parts of the U. tasted.' These nuts are highly esteemed, States, the extreme north and east exand are often served up at desserts, and cepted, and the low district of the Southform an article of commerce. The oil ern States, where its absence seems to be expressed from them is in general use as owing to the nature of the soil, which is an article of diet, in those districts where either too sandy or too wet. It requires a the tree abounds, and serves a still more deep and fertile soil, and in favorable situaimportant purpose in the preparation of tions the trunk often attains the diameter of fine colors: it is preferred on account of the six or seven feet. It is one of our largest complete and rapid manner in which it trees, and yields to none in the majesty of dries, and the facility of obtaining it per- its appearance. The nuts are sold in the fectly limpid, by diffusing it upon water markets of our principal cities, and are in large shallow vases. In copper-plate often served upon table. The shell is very printing at Paris, it is considered indis- hard, and the kernel is divided by firm pensably necessary for a fine impression, woody partitions, but has a sweet and either in black or colors. By boiling the agreeable flavor, though inferior to the husks when beginning to decay, and the European. The wood is very strong and bark of the roots, a substantial dark-brown very tenacious, when thoroughly seasoncolor is obtained, which is used by dyers ed is not liable to warp and split, and refor woollens, and also by cabinet-makers mains sound a long time, even when exto stain other species of wood in imitation posed to the influence of heat and moisof walnut. The fruit, in a green state, ture: the grain is sufficiently fine to before the shell hardens, is much used for admit a fine polish, and it is, besides, sepickling, and also as an adulteration of cure from the attacks of worms. In soy sauce. The leaves, strewed on the Kentucky and Ohio, it is split into shinground, annoy worms. Before mahoga- gles, and sometimes enters into the comny was imported so abundantly into Eu- position of the frames of houses, but is rope, the wood was employed, almost chiefly employed in cabinet-making exclusively, in cabinet-making, and is still wherever it abounds. By selecting pieces in general use in the interior; and the immediately below the first ramifications, furniture is far from being inelegant. It the furniture is sometimes rendered exis preferred for the stocks of muskets, as tremely beautiful, from the accidental it is lighter, in proportion to its strength curlings of the grain; but, as the color and elasticity, than any other wood. soon changes to a dusky hue, wild cherry Great quantities of wooden shoes are also is frequently preferred. It is employed made of it. Seven or eight varieties are for the stoeks of muskets, and is said to cultivated. When propagated for timber, make excellent naves for wheels. At the nut is sown ; but when fruit is the Philadelphia, coffins are exclusively made object, inarching from the branches of of it. Black walnut is excellently adaptfruit-bearing trees is preferable. Budding ed to certain uses in naval architecture, has also been tried with success, and the but should never be wrought till perfectly buds succeed best when taken from the seasoned, when it is said to be more base of the annual shoots : ordinary-sized durable, though more brittle, than the buds from the upper parts of such shoots white oak. In the ship-yards of Philagenerally fail. Trees that have not been delphia, it is often used for knees and grafted or budded, may be induced to floor timber ; but in the vessels built on produce blossoms by ringing the bark. the Ohio, it constitutes the principal part of the franie. On the Wabash, canoes came an active member of the whig parare made of it, which are highly esteem- ty. In 1702, he obtained his election for ed for their strength and durability. King's Lynn, which he also represented Planks, two inches in thickness, are ex- in several succeeding parliaments. In ported to England in small quantitics.- 1705, he was nominated one of the coun

The butternut (J. cinerea) is abundant in cil to prince George of Denmark, as lord the Northern, and especially in the West- high admiral of England; in 1708 was aper States. It is a much smaller tree pointed secretary at war, and, the followthan the preceding, rarely exceeding fifty ing year, treasurer of the pavy. In 1710, feet in height, with a trunk ten or twelve he was one of the parliamentary maninches in diameter. The fruit is elongat- agers in the trial of Sacheverel; but, on ed, covered externally with a viscid, ad- the dissolution of the whig ministry, he hesive substance; and the nut is hard, very was dismissed from all his employments, rough externally, and deeply and irregu- and, soon after, was voted, by the house larly furrowed." The nuts are sometimes of commons, guilty of a high breach of brought to market. The wood is light, trust, and notorious corruption in his of a reddish bue, and possesses little office of secretary at war; for which imstrength, but lasts long, and is secure puted offence he was expelled the house, from worms.

It is sometimes used in and committed to the Tower of London. the construction of houses in the country, This severity, being a party proceeding, but never in cities. From its resistance little affected his character; so that, in to heat and moisture, it is esteemed for 1714, the borough of Lynn reëlected him; posts and rails, for troughs for the use of and he became a formidable opponent of cattle, and is preferred to the red maple the tory administration. On the accession for corn-shovels and wooden dishes, as it of George I, a new whig ministry was is lighter and less liable to split. At Pitts- formed; and Walpole, who had previousburg, it is sometimes sawn into planks for ly ingratiated himself with the family of the construction of small skifls, which, Hanover, was appointed paymaster of the on account of their lightness, are in re- forces, treasurer of Chelsea hospital, and a quest for descending the river. At privy counsellor. Being nominated chairWindsor, in Vermont, it is used for the man of the secret committee formed to panels of coaches and chaises, and is inquire into charges against the late minperfectly adapted to this purpose. The isters, he drew up and moved the imbark affords one of the best cathartics peachment of lord Bolingbroke, the earl known, operating always with certainty, of Oxford, the duke of Ormond, and the and without pain or irritation even in the earl of Strafford. In the subsequent year, most delicate constitutions : it is not, how- 1715, he displayed so much energy and ever, in general use except in the country. vigor in support of government during A dark-brown dye is also obtained from the rebellion, that he was raised to the the bark, which is employed in the important posts of first lord of the treasucountry for woollens ; but that afforded ry and chancellor of the exchequer. In by the black walnut is preferred. By the course of the two following years, a piercing the trunk early in the spring, disunion took place in the cabinet on the sugar may be obtained, but of inferior question of supplies, to enable George I quality to maple sugar.

to vindicate his purchase of the duchies WALPOLE, Robert, earl of Orford, third of Bremen and 'Verden against Charles son of Robert Walpole, esquire, was born XII of Sweden; and Mr. Walpole resignat Houghton, his father's seat, in Norfolk, ed. On the day of his resignation, he in 1676, and, in 1696, was admitted á brought in the sinking fund bill, which scholar of King's college, Cambridge. In he subsequently rendered nugatory by 1698, in consequence of the death of his misapplication. In the next session, he elder surviving brother, he became heir became a strenuous opposer of measures to the family estate, on which he resigned which, had he been in place, he would as his scholarship. He was then taken from certainly have supported, and mainly college by his father, and, in the jovial contributed to the rejection, by the comlife of a country gentleman, soon lost his mons, of the peerage bill of 1719. He inclination for literature. In 1700, he was the opposer, in 1720, of the South married the daughter of sir John Shorter, sea scheme for liquidating the national lord mayor of London, and, soon after, debt, on which subject he wrote a pamsucceeded to his .paternal estate by the phlet. At length the earl of Sunderland, death of his father. He was also returned finding his ministry involved in great difrepresentative for Castle Rising, and be- ficulties, made overtures to Walpole, who

resumed bis former post of paymaster of after repeated fruitless attacks, all prothe forces. His reputation as a financier ceedings against him were dropped. His induced all eyes to be directed towards health soon after began to decline, owing him on the occurrence of the unprece- to repeated attacks of the stone, which at dented disasters arising from the bursting length carried him off, March 18, 1745, of the South sea bubble; and lord Sun- in the sixty-ninth year of bis age.-See derland being obliged to retire, on ac- Coxe's Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole (3 count of his being implicated in the affairs vols., 4to., 1798).—His brother Horatio of that company, Walpole resumed his (lord Walpole) was born in 1678. He post of first lord of the treasury, and pre- filled several offices under government, mier. He was indisputably a most ser- and was an able diplomatist. He was viceable minister to the house of Bruns- raised to the peerage in 1756, and died wick, and mainly contributed to the dis- the following year. He wrote several pocomfiture of the plots and intrigues of the litical tracts, and an answer to BolingJacobite party in favor of the Preter der. broke's Letters on History. (See Coxe's His general policy was principally char- Memoirs of Horatio Lord Walpole.) acterized by the desire of preserving WALPOLE, Horace, earl of Orford, third peace abroad, and avoiding subjects of and youngest son of sir Robert Walpole, contention at home. He was an able was born in 1718. He received his early financier, and certainly exerted himself, education at Eton, whence he removed with considerable success, to improve the to King's college, Cambridge. He quitted trade and revenues of the country, al- the university without a degree, and, by though the introduction of the excise the interest of his father, was nominated scheme forms a very dubious claim to to three valuable sinecures, which he held applause. A pursuit of useful rather than to the time of his death. In 1739, he set of splendid objects, joined to a sincere out on a tour to the continent, accompazeal for the Protestant succession, formed nied by the poet Gray, with whom he had the leading principles of his government; a difference, and they parted, Walpole and the means which he employed were subsequently taking all the blame upon prudence, vigilance, and a degree of cor- himself. He entered parliament in 1741, ruption not greater than what was prac- as member for Callington, and spoke tised by many of his predecessors, but spiritedly in opposition to a motion more general and systematic. Walpole against his father, but was, in general, a is the reputed author of the saying, that very silent and inactive member. It was “ All men bave their price ;” but his bi- soon apparent that he was not destined ographer, archdeacon Coxe, asserts that for the paths of public life. With much the words were all those men,” speaking vivacity and love of occupation, his chief of a particular body of his opponents. He delight was in the indulgence of literary was an artful rather than an eloquent curiosity, and a taste for antiquity and the speaker, and discerned, as if by intuition, fine arts. In 1747, he represented the the prevalent humor of the house, and borough of Castle Rising, and, in 1754 pressed or receded accordingly. He was and 1761, that of King's Lyon, and al

, particularly clear in financial debates, and ways adhered to the whig principles in a most excellent and diligent man of busi- which he was educated; and his parlianess. In private life, he was distinguish- mentary conduct was uniformly correct ed by frankness of manners and a species and independent. In 1748, he purchased of jovial good-nature; but his mirth was his small but celebrated villa at Twickencoarse, and his moral conduct assumed ham (q. v.), called Strawberry hill, which much of the easy license of rank and it formed no small part of the business of fashion. Letters he neither loved nor his future life to render a miniature spepatronised, except the productions of sub- cimen of Gothic architecture, and a splenaltern writers in his praise or defence, did collection of pieces of art, and relics whom he rewarded liberally. On the of antiquity, many of them curious and whole, without being an exalted charac- valuable, and others of rather a trifling ter, he was an able minister. His minis- description. He first made himself known try was finally, shaken by the unpopulari- as a writer by some papers in the World, ty of his exertions to maintain peace with and a few poems in Dodsley's Collections. Spain, in 1739, from which time the op- His first separate publication appeared in position to him gained ground, until, in 1752, entitled Ædes Walpoliana, being a 1742, he resigned, and was created earl of description of his father's seat at HoughOrford. A parliamentary inquiry into his ton. In 1757, he set up a printing-press conduct was subsequently instituted; but, at Strawberry hill, at which he printed

a

Gray's Odes, and various other works. elevation which gave him more trouble From his own press also appeared, in than satisfaction, and which made no al1758, the first edition of his Catalogue of teration in his mode of living or literary Royal and Noble Authors. This was fol- pursuits. His death, which was hastened lowed by a collection of Fugitive Pieces, by a hereditary gout, that had reduced and, in 1761, by his Anecdotes of Paint- him to a cripple, took place in March, ing in England (2 vols., 4to.), compiled 1797, in his seventy-ninth year. He befrom the papers of the artist George Ver- queathed to Robert Berry, esquire, and tue. Two more volumes were afterwards his two daughters, all his printed and added; and the whole forms a valuable manuscript works, of which a collective collection. In 1764, his friendship for edition was published in 1798 (5 vols., 4to.). general Conway drew from him a pam- The most valuable addition to what had phlet on the dismissal of that officer from formerly appeared consisted in his letters the army, on account of the vote which to a great variety of correspondents, writ. he gave on general warrants. In 1765, ten with great ease and vivacity, but ocappeared his romantic fiction of the Cas- casionally exhibiting affectation and effort. tle of Otranto, the prolific parent of the He is certainly, however, one of the most Radcliffe romance, and a vast variety of lively and witty of letter-writers, but too similar fictions. Being at Paris in 1765, frequently deemed his letters a grace and he composed a French letter to Rousseau, a favor accorded' to his literary correin the name of the king of Prussia, by spondents, which superseded the necessiway of exposing the vanity and self-con- ty of any thing more substantial. His sequence of that singular character, who Memoirs of the last ten Years of the acted on the occasion with his usual ex- Reign of George II (2 vols., 4to., 1822) travagance. Walpole was, however, are of the highest value for the domestic scarcely excusable for this attack upon history of that period. In 1825, appeared the morbid sensibility of a man who had his Letters to the Earl of Hereford, formgiven him no provocation ; but his cor- ing the ninth volume of a quarto edition respondence with Hume supplies a very of his works. See, also, the Walpoliana extraordinary specimen of his aristocrati- (2 vols., 18mo), and the Reminiscences of cal contempt for authors by profession. Horace Walpole (1826). His plan of life In 1767, he declined being again chosen was formed upon a selfish principle of to sit in parliament; soon after which ap- self-enjoyment. As an author, he ranks peared his Historic Doubts on the Life respectably among general writers. and Reign of King Richard III. It is an WALPURGA, WALBURGA, or WALPURacute and ingenious performance, but Gis; a saint, born in England, sister of failed in convincing the public; and the St. Willibald, first bishop of Eichstädt, in brief, but conclusive investigation of it by Germany, and niece of St. Boniface, the Gibbon, in his miscellaneous works, has apostle of the Germans. She went, like probably disposed of the question for ever. her uncle and brother, to Germany as a Mr. Walpole forgot his dignity so much missionary, and became, about the middle in regard to this performance, as to ex- of the eighth century, abbess of a convent punge his name from the list of members at Heidenheim, in Franconia. She must of the antiquarian society, because two have been a learned woman, as she was papers were read before them controvert- considered the author of a Latin descriping part of his evidence. In 1768, he tion of the Travels of St. Willibald. After printed his Mysterious Mother—a very her death (776 or 778), she received the powerfully written tragedy, on a disagree- honors of a saint, was believed to work able subject, and one which altogether many miracles, and chapels in honor of precludes it from the stage. About this her were built in many places. From time occurred the transaction with the the eircumstance that in German almaunhappy Chatterton (q. v.), which sub- nacs the name Walpurgis has been jected him to so much censure; but his accidentally placed, sometimes alone, fault, on this occasion, appears to have sometimes together with the names of been mainly his general apathy towards the apostles Philip and James, against literary men. He visited Paris in 1771 the first of May, the night previous to the and 1775, and became much distinguished first day of May, so famous, in German in the circle of the celebrated madame du legends, for the assembling of the witches, Deffand, who particularly admired him. has been called Walpurgis night. The The principal incident of his advanced first of May is an important day for the years was his accession to the earldom of German cultivator : many contracts are Orford, by the death of his nephew-an made at this time; the labors of the field

assume

new activity, &c.

It is not stave the planks of small boats. Its prinstrange that, on so important a day, the cipal food, it is said, consists of shell-fish. devil and the witches were supposed to The tusks grow to the length of ten or be more active than usual, and to assem- twenty inches, or sometimes even three ble in a particular place to organize the feet, weighing from five to ten pounds. work of evil. This superstition, however, They are worked like ivory, but turn may have had its origin in the ancient yellow in a shorter time. The skin is German mythology. Hence straw was about an inch in thickness, and is used for burned in many places, on the Walpur- a variety of purposes. gis-night, with a view of dispersing the Walsall; a market town and parish malignant beings—a custom still pre- of England, in the county of Stafford, served in some places. The chief con- 116 miles from London; population, vocation of the witches was considered to 15,066. By the reform act of 1832, take place on the Brocken. Many cus- Walsall was constituted a borough, retoms connected with the first of May, in turning one member to parliament. Germany, originated in this superstition. WALSINGHAM, Thomas of, an English

Walrus (trichecus rosmarus); a ma- chronicler of the fifteenth century, was a rine quadruped, resembling the seals in Benedictine monk of the abbey of St. the structure of the feet, but differing in Alban's, where he held the office of prethe teeth and digestive system. It is large centor; and he also styles himself royal and unwieldy, sometimes attaining the historiographer. His works are, Historia weight of 2000 pounds, and inhabits un- Brevis, containing the annals of England, frequented coasts in the arctic seas. The from the end of Henry III's reign, formhead is oval, short, small, and flat in front: ing a continuation to ihe history of Mat the flat portion of the face is set with thew Paris; and Hypodigma Neustriæ, very strong bristles, which are pellucid, giving an account of the occurrences in about a span in length, and twisted; the Normandy, from the time of Rollo to the orifices of the ears are very small, but the sixth year of Henry V. These pieces sense of smelling, appears to be exceed- were published by archbishop Parker ingly acute; the incisors are four in the (London, 1574, folio). upper jaw, but the two middle ones are WALSINGHAM, sir Francis, an English shed as the animal advances in age; the statesman, in the reign of queen Elizaupper canines are large, elephant-like beth, descended of an ancient family, tusks, directed downwards; the feet are was a native of Chiselhurst in Kent. He very short, and the toes are connected by was educated at King's college, Cama membrane, and armed with strong nails; bridge, and, at an early age, travelled on the tail is short. Formerly, vast herds the continent, and acquired a knowledge of these animals frequented the shores of the languages, manners and policy of of the islands between Northern Asia and foreign nations. His first employment America, Davis's straits and Hudson's was that of ambassador to the court of bay, in lat. 62°, and even as far south as France, whence he returned in 1573, the Magdalen islands, in the gulf of St. and, being appointed one of the principal Lawrence, between lat. 47o and 48°; but, secretaries of state, and a member of the at present, the walrus is no where nume- privy council, received the honor of rous, except on the icy shores of Spitz- knighthood. In the important situation bergen and the remotest northern coasts which he filled, he rendered great serof America, Voyages were once made vices to his sovereign, and contributed, to procure its tusks and oil

, and it is said by his policy, to the stability of her govthat 1200 or 1500 individuals have been ernment. The means which he adopted, sometimes killed at once out of a herd. however, for the attainment of his purThe walrus is slow and clumsy while on poses, were not of the most honorable land, but quick and active in the water. description. Lloyd, in his State Worthies, It often comes on shore, and the female says, “ Sir F. Walsingham outdid the brings forth her young there in the spring. Jesuits in their own bow, and over-reachIt is fearless and inoffensive, unless dis- ed them in their equivocation and mental turbed, and strongly attached to its mate reservation ; never settling a lie, but and young, but becomes fierce and for- warily drawing out and discovering the midable when attacked, especially if the truth. Few letters escaped his hands, young are present, furiously endeavoring whose contents he could read and not io sink the boats by rising and hooking touch the seals. He had the wonderful its tusks over their sides; and frequently art of weaving plots, in which busy peothe violence of its blows is sufficient to ple were so entangled that they could