P. 2, c. 2—“Runes.” The Norsemen had a peculiar alphabet of sixteen letters, or signs. It was not used as we use our alphabet; indeed, as the word _rune_ (mystery) signifies, its meaning was known to but few. The letters were carved on rocks, stones, utensils, etc. Also, as in the case alluded to, on smooth sticks for divination. A mysterious power was supposed to reside in these characters.
The article on “Air,” in the Physical Science series, is abridged from the “English Science Primer on Physical Geography,” by Archibald Geikie. The clear, simple style of the article make annotations unnecessary. The same is also true of the paper on “Political Economy.”
P. 6, c. 2—“Archæology,” är-chæ-ŏl´o-gy. The science of antiquities.
P. 7, c. 1—“Guadaloupe,” gaw´da-loop´. An island of the West Indies.
P. 7, c. 2—“Owen.” (1807-1860.) An American geologist. He made geological surveys of several States of the West and published reports of his labors.
P. 8, c. 1—“Lamartine,” lä-mar-ten´. (1790-1869.) A French poet. After several years of writing and travel Lamartine, in 1835, was chosen a member of the Chamber of Deputies. Here his oratory won him laurels. He was a Liberalist, and in 1848, during the establishment of the republic, Lamartine’s eloquence and boldness prevented open attack upon the aristocracy. He occupied several positions under the new government, but finally retired to literary work.
P. 11, c. 1—“Glyptics,” glyp´tics. Carving on precious stones.
P. 11, c. 1—“Bas relief,” bä-re-leef´. “Michael Angelo,” me-kĕl an´ja-lo. (1474-1562). The Italian painter and sculptor.
P. 11, c. 2—“Lapidary,” lăp´i-da-ry. One who cuts, polishes, and engraves stones. “Vitreous,” vĭt´re-ous, glassy; “Ter´ra cot´ta;” “Chryselephantine,” chrys´el-e-phănt´ine; “To-reu´tic;” “Ar´ma-ture.”
P. 12, c. 1—“Galvano-plastique,” gal-vā´no-plăs-teek; “Băs´so-rē-liē´vo;” “Stiacciato,” stē-ät-chä´to; “Mezzo-relievo,” mĕd´zo-re-liē´vo; “Al´to-re-liē-vo;” “Ca-vo-re-liē´vo.”
P. 12, c. 1—“Renaissance,” rŭh-nā´sŏngs´. The awakening or new birth, that took place in architecture, literature, and the fine arts from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. Men’s minds during the middle ages had been under the influence of the church. Freedom of thought and action became almost extinct. Reaction revived all branches of art and literature, producing the period called the “Renaissance.”