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former 3 dice were employed, and in the latter ordinarily but 2. The Greeks gave to the various throws that were possible the names of their gods, heroes, princes, and heteræ, the best throw being called Aphrodite. This game was adopted by the Romans, and the example of some of the emperors, especially of Nero, gave to it a dangerous popularity. Wealthy Romans, during the declining period of the empire, frequently staked their entire fortunes upon a single chance. It was introduced into France in the reign of Philip Augustus, and has continued from that time a favorite game.

DICE (Gr. Aikn), in ancient mythology, a goddess of justice, daughter of Jupiter and Themis, and sister of Eunomia (good rule) and Irene (peace). She appears as one of the Hore, and as attendant of the father of the gods, and in the tragedians also as an avenging and rewarding divinity. Her business was not only to punish injustice, but to reward virtue.

DICENTRA (Borkh.), the generic name of some very showy herbaceous perennials, of which there are several species found wild in the United States. Of these latter, a very delicate and singularly flowered one is D. cucullaria (De Candolle), called Dutchman's breeches, the form of the corolla, with its spurs, reminding us of that article of apparel suspended in an inverted position. These blossoms are cream-colored tipped with white, and hang in a simple raceme upon a slender drooping scape, rising from the bosom of a set of tender, deeply cut, long-stalked leaves. Both the flowers and leaves soon fade away on the approach of summer, and leave exposed on the surface of the ground clusters of little grain-shaped tubers, arranged in the form of scaly bulbs. A second species, called squirrel corn (D. Canadensis, De C.), has scattered, round, flattened tubers, as large as grains of Indian corn, to the resemblance to which it owes its name. Its flowers are greenish white, tinged with red, and possess the fragrance of hyacinths. It is found in rich woodlands. D. eximia (De C.), found in W. New York, and among the Alleghanies of Virginia, is larger than the others, with reddish-purple flowers on a compound, clustered raceme, and with the lobes of the leaves broadly oblong. D. chrysantha (Hooker and Arnott), a native of California, has large, showy, golden-yellow flowers, leaves 2 and 3 pinnately divided, glaucous, with linear, acute segments, and a stem 2 or 3 feet high, leafy branching. But the most remarkable of all was introduced from Japan in 1846. From thick, brittle, fleshy roots there arise, early in the spring, numerous stout hollow stems about 3 feet high, bearing large, spreading, deeply divided, compoundly ternate leaves of a glaucous hue, not unlike some of the tree pæonias, from which issue strong flower stalks, branching into axillary and smaller racemes, loaded with large, rosy blossoms, each flower being about an inch long. In the early stage of the inflorescence the buds have a deeper tint, which is very beautiful. Several weeks elapse from the commencement of the

expansion of the first blossoms until the period of blossoming is over; but sometimes a few smaller racemes will appear again toward the end of the summer. It does not seem to mature seeds readily, and as yet no new varieties are known to florists. This fine species has received the appropriate name of D. spectabilis. Side shoots or cuttings taken off early in spring, and planted out, will flower in August and September; but for early forcing it is better to put them into suitably sized pots, and suffer them to ripen away the foliage that has been produced in this condition, in preparation for another season, taking due care lest they strike their freely growing root fibres through the bottom of the pots. To prevent this, they may be placed upon a platform, on the stone or brick pavement, or even on the hard ground; in the latter case, it is better to move the pots at least once a week. On the approach of severe frost, the pots should be removed to the shed of the greenhouse, or placed under the stage, or protected in frames, or even put into the cellar, whence they are to be removed into a warmer atmosphere as they are needed for flowering. For early blossoming parlor plants we scarcely know of any other so easily prepared, or so sure of successful management, or which will so well reward any attention. In the garden the dicentra spectabilis thrives in any good soil, but that which is light, rich, and deep suits it best; in such a situation it will produce a dozen or more stems covered with flowers. A slight protection of leaves and litter is sufficient in winter. It should be allowed abundance of room.

DICK, THOMAS, a Scottish scientific writer, born in Dundee in 1772, died at Broughty Ferry, July 29, 1857. He was educated for the ministry, and was ordained and settled as pastor of the Secession church in Stirling, but became so much devoted to scientific pursuits, that he relinquished his profession, and for 10 years was engaged as a teacher at Perth. While there he wrote the "Christian Philosopher," a work which brought him considerable reputation, and some pecuniary remuneration. From this time he devoted himself more exclusively to the writing of popular scientific works, which, though successful, were not a source of much pecuniary profit to their author, who was during part of his life in straitened circumstances. His works having had a large sale in the United States, a subscription was taken up for his benefit in this country some years before his death, and by this means, as well as by the contributions of some gentlemen of Dundee, and the aid of a small pension from the government, he was enabled to pass the latter years of his life in comfort. Among his works may also be mentioned, "Philosophy of Religion" (1825); "Improvement of Society by the Diffusion of Knowledge;" "Philosophy of a Future State" (1828); "Mental Illumination of Mankind" (1835); "Celestial Scenery" (1838); “Sidereal Heavens" (1840); "Telescope and Microscope " (1851).

DICKENS CHARLES, an English novelist,

born at Portsmouth, Feb. 7, 1812. His father, Mr. John Dickens, who had held for many years an office in the navy pay department, retired on a pension in 1815; and being a man of some literary faculty, he became a reporter for the daily press in London. He intended his son for the profession of an attorney, and placed him in an attorney's office for that purpose. Here the youth acquired that knowledge of the machinery and technical phraseology of the law which he has turned to such good account in many of his works of fiction. But the drudgery of his work weighed heavily upon his spirit; a taste for literature, manifested mainly by an indiscriminate reading of novels and plays, began to develop itself; and his father's connections enabled him to exchange his uncongenial occupation for the more agreeable duties of a newspaper critic and reporter. He was attached to the "True Sun," and afterward to the "Morning Chronicle," which was at that time a daily paper of large circulation and influence. A series of sketches of London life, manners, and localities, published in the even ing edition of the "Chronicle," under the signature of "Boz," attracted much attention, and showed the unknown writer to be possessed of a remarkable and original vein of observation and reflection, though by some it was regretted that such powers were exercised to so great an extent in the delineation of scenes of vice and misery, and the exposure of the weaknesses and infirmities of humanity. The sketches were afterward collected and published (1836) in 2 volumes. The ability displayed in these sketches was so great that Mr. Hall, of the firm of Chapman and Hall, proposed to the writer the scheme of preparing a work of fiction, to appear in monthly numbers, with illustrations by Mr. Seymour, a popular comic draughtsman. It was suggested that the adventures and mishaps of a club of originals would furnish a happy medium for the powers both of author and artist. Upon this hint the first number of the "Pickwick Papers" was written, and published with illustrations by Mr. Seymour. This clever artist died by his own hand before the appearance of the second number; and the task of illustration devolved upon Mr. H. K. Browne, who under the signature of "Phiz" continued with great spirit the style of pictorial embellishment which his predecessor had so happily begun. The work was completed and published collectively in 1837. But before it was finished it had attained a degree of popularity to which nothing in English literature since the publication of the Waverley novels could furnish a parallel. Everybody, both in England and America, was laughing over the ludicrous adventures of Mr. Pickwick and his associates, the trial scene of Bardell vs. Pickwick, and the quaint sayings, grotesque comparisons, and inimitable conversations of the elder and younger Weller. Between the appearance of the first and last numbers the author rose to be the most popular living writer in the English language. By some

the "Pickwick Papers" is still esteemed Dickens's best work. We cannot subscribe to this judgment; but we admit that there are parts of it which he has never excelled, and that he has never drawn a character more original in conception and more happily sustained than that of Sam Weller. His next work, "Oliver Twist," appeared originally in monthly numbers in Bentley's Miscellany," a magazine of which Dickens assumed for a time the editorship, and was published collectively in 1838. This novel fully sustained the high reputation acquired by the "Pickwick Papers." If the humor was not so rich, so abundant, so genial, there was a deeper tragic power, especially in painting the darker passions of the soul and the terrible retributions of guilt. Next appeared in serial numbers, published collectively in 1839, the "Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby;" which, with some little hesitation, we should place at the head of all Dickens's novels, as being the most carefully constructed, and containing the widest range of character and the greatest variety of inventive power. From no other work of his could one who had never read any thing from his pen derive a more just estimate of all the wealth of his genius. "Master Humphrey's Clock," comprising the stories since separately known as the "Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge," appeared in weekly numbers during 1840 and 1841. This was received, and deservedly so, with a degree of favor equal to that which had been accorded to his previ ous productions. Indeed, the character of little Nell awakened a depth and fervor of sympa thetic admiration which no earlier creation had won. After the publication of this work, Dickens made a visit to America, arriving in Boston Jan. 22, 1842, and sailing for England on June 3 following. He was everywhere received with a degree of enthusiasm proportionate to his popularity as a writer and the excitable character of the American people. His views of American life and manners were published upon his return, at the close of 1842, under the title of "American Notes for General Circulation;" a work which added nothing to his reputation, though it was brightened here and there with gleams of his peculiar humor. In 1843 he wrote his "Christmas Carol," a short story inculcating the virtues of benevolence and generosity, which was received with great favor. Several similar productions have since from time to time appeared from his pen, under the general title of Christmas stories, of various degrees of merit, though no one can be pronounced quite equal to the first of the series. In 1844 he published in monthly numbers the "Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit;" and toward the close of the same year he went to Italy with his family, and resided there for some time. On Jan. 1, 1846, he assumed the editorship of the "Daily News" a

morning newspaper started in London, on the liberal side in politics, to which several able writers were secured as contributors. In this journal were originally published his "Pictures

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of Italy," which were gathered into a volume and issued in 1846; a work of a peculiar, almost unique character, containing as it does the impressions of a man of original genius who views Italy not as a scholar, an antiquary, or an artist, but as a humorist. He did not continue long in his new post of editor of a daily newspaper. His next publication, "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son," came out in monthly numbers, during 1847 and 1848. In this novel the beautiful sketch of little Paul and the humorous delineation of Capt. Cuttle recalled the best efforts of his genius, and renewed the admiration awakened by his earlier works. Then followed the "History of David Copperfield," in monthly numbers, concluded in 1850. In this year he assumed the editorship of a weekly periodical, started by himself, called "Household Words," which has ever since continued to be published under his charge, and has a wide circulation both in England and America. Here appeared his "Child's History of England," republished separately in 1852; and his story of "Hard Times," republished in one volume, 1854. In 1853 was finished "Bleak House," which had been issued in monthly numbers; and in 1856 and 1857 "Little Dorrit" was given to the world, by parcels, in the same way. Beside the above works, Dickens is the author or editor of the "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi," published in 1836. Such a list proves him to be a man of vigorous industry and methodical habits of labor; and his example is valuable as showing that the highest genius is not incompatible with uniform diligence and a life of steady toil.-The great popularity which Dickens enjoys wherever the English language is spoken renders it a superfluous task for us to enter upon any extended or elaborate criticism of his works. He has opened a new and original vein of fictitious composition. His popularity is not a transient whim or fleeting fashion, but is fairly earned by great and obvious excellences. His place in English literature, throughout all time, will be as secure as that of Sterne, Fielding, or Scott. He is peculiarly and preeminently a man of genius. He has fashioned himself upon no existing models; no writer draws more exclusively from innate and self-contained sources; in no one do we see fewer indications of the influence of other men's minds. Very rarely in Dickens do we find a quotation from, or an allusion to, any other writer. His novels, as works of art, are open to obvious criticism. His plots are not skilfully constructed; many incidents are introduced which are improbable in themselves, and do not of necessity contribute any thing to the final catastrophe. His leading quality is his humor, which is original in its essence and boundless in its supply. His combinations, quaint, startling, and grotesque, are never forced, but are the spontaneous growth of a mind of inexhaustible fertility. In pathos, the reverse pole of humor, his merit is hardly less conspicuous. He has a peculiar comprehension of the sorrows and sufferings of childhood; and some of the most

beautiful and effective of his pathetic passages have been drawn from this source. He is a very sharp observer, and an excellent artist in that style of verbal painting in which the effects are produced by the minute delineation of particulars. This power, it must be admitted, he uses rather too freely; and many of his descriptions, especially in his later works, would be improved by compression. The charm and success of his writings are in some degree to be ascribed to the fact that they are so strongly infused with the personal qualities of the writer. He is a man of genial nature and humane spirit, with a vehement hatred of injustice and oppression, a strong aversion to cant and hypocrisy, and generous and expanded sympathies. His powerful and popular pen has always been exerted on the side of social reform. Through these traits of character, as revealed in his writings, a sort of personal relation is established between him and his readers, which makes them very kind to his literary virtues, and a little blind to his literary faults. It has been objected to his novels that they set too high value upon good temper and geniality-the easy growth of a healthy organization and happy temperamentas compared with the sterner virtues which are the fruit of self-discipline and self-control; and that they make convivial pleasures too attractive, and fail to warn against convivial excesses.

Mr. Dickens has also acted with distinguished success in private theatricals, and has publicly read his own works to large and gratified audiences in almost every part of the United Kingdom. In 1858 he amicably separated from Mrs. Dickens, with whom he had lived some 20 years, and had several children. The cause was an uncongeniality of temper, implying no dishonor to either party.

DICKINSON, a N. W. co. of Iowa, bordering on Minnesota; area, 430 sq. m. The surface is diversified by a number of small lakes, the principal of which is Spirit lake. The largest river is the Okoboji, an affluent of the Little Sioux. This county is of very recent formation, and is not included in the census of 1856.

DICKINSON, DANIEL STEVENS, a U. S. senator from New York, born in Goshen, Conn., Sept. 11, 1800. The family removed in 1806 to the state of New York, and settled in the beautiful valley of the Chenango, where Daniel was inured to the hardy life of a plain farmer's son. He also worked for a while at a mechanical trade. During his boyhood he was able to acquire only the rudiments of learning under a system of common schools then in its infancy. Having a natural inclination to politics, he became an ardent member of the democratic party, and was rewarded for his zeal first by an election to the office of town constable, and then by an appointment as deputy sheriff of Chenango co. Thus brought in contact with the local courts, he took a fancy to the legal profession, studied law, was admitted to the bar about 1826-'7, soon became famous in the Chenango valley as a "rough and ready" practitioner before justices

of the peace, and worked his way steadily upward, till he obtained a good position and a fair business in the highest tribunals. He was chosen in 1836 a member of the state senate from the 6th district, for 4 years. He took a leading part in disposing of the many important questions that agitated the senate of New York in these 4 years-as the general banking law, the small bill law, the bank suspension law, and other financial measures arising out of the overthrow of the U. S. bank and the establishment of the independent treasury, the construction of the Erie railroad, the enlargement of the Erie canal, and other works of internal improvement; and he frequently delivered opinions upon grave legal questions brought before the senate, which, as the court for the correction of errors, was then the highest judicial body in the state. He won so much reputation during these 4 years in the legislature that at the close of his term the democratic party put him in nomination for lieutenant-governor. He was defeated, but 2 years subsequently (1842) he was triumphantly elected, thereupon becoming ex officio president of the senate, of the court of errors, and of the canal board, for 2 years. In 1844 he was a member of the convention that nominated Mr. Polk for the presidency, and was subsequently one of the electors at large for the state of New York. In December of that year he was appointed by Gov. Bouck, and afterward chosen by the legislature, to the U. S. senate, in the place of N. P. Tallmadge, where he continued till March 4, 1851. During 7 eventful sessions he took a prominent share in the discussion of the questions that convulsed that body, such as Texas annexation, Oregon joint occupation, the Mexican war and its consequent territorial acquisitions, the Wilmot proviso, and the compromise measures of 1850. On the power and duty of congress to prohibit slavery in the territories, he differed with his colleague, Gen. John A. Dix, as also with his subsequent colleague, Gov. Seward. In Dec. 1847, he introduced in the senate two resolutions respecting territorial government, which embodied the doctrine of "popular sovereignty," so called. This being anterior to the Nicholson letter of Gen. Cass, and long previous to the Kansas-Nebraska act of Judge Douglas, the credit of propounding that doctrine belongs to him rather than to either of them. While in the senate he was the ardent advocate of a branch mint in the city of New York, of the coinage of three-cent pieces, and of the free circulation of weekly newspapers through the mails within the counties where they are published. He was an effective debater, exerted a strong influence in the senate, and was honored by it with the chairmanship of the committee of finance. Mr. Dickinson's course on the slavery question placed him at the head of the conservative or "hunker" section of the democracy of New York, and rallied around him numerous friends in all parts of the Union, and especially in the southern states. He was brought forward as a democratic candidate for

the presidency in 1852, and on one of the ballots in the national convention he received the influential vote of Virginia. But the hostility of the radicals in the New York delegation was implacable. They rallied upon Gov. Marcy as their candidate. The inability of Mr. Dickinson to secure the united vote of his state in the convention was sufficient (had there been no other obstacle) to prevent his nomination. On the election of Mr. Pierce to the presidency, Mr. Dickinson was strongly pressed for the secretaryship of state. His rival, Gov. Marcy, was selected, while he was appointed collector of the port of New York, but he refused the office. For 4 years Marcy wielded the federal patronage of the state against him. This was a heavy blow to his political influence. Still a large band of adherents continued faithful to him. The spirit with which he spurned the collectorship was generally applauded by his friends. He now withdrew to his rural retreat at Binghamton, and devoted himself to the practice of the law; and for the last few years he has indicated only through an occasional letter or speech that he still takes an interest in public affairs. Mr. Dickinson is a ready nisi prius lawyer, a strong, dashing speaker, quick to see and seize the point in controversy, apt at repartee, with a strong vein of humor, and well suited to the exigencies of American politics, whether encountered on the "stump," in the convention, or the senate chamber.

DICKINSON, JOHN, an American statesman, born in Maryland, Nov. 13, 1732, died in Wilmington, Delaware, Feb. 14, 1808. He studied law in Philadelphia, and subsequently at the Temple, London, and upon returning to America practised with considerable success at the bar. Upon being elected to the Pennsylvanis house of assembly in 1764, he evinced unusual capacities for a legislator, and was on all occasions a ready and energetic debater. At the same time he became known by his publications upon the attempts of the mother country to infringe the liberties of the colonies. In 1765 he was elected a deputy from Pennsylvania to the first colonial congress, the resolutions passed by which were drawn up by him. In 1768 he published his "Farmer's Letters to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies," which were republished in London with a preface by Dr. Franklin, and subsequently in French in Paris. He was a member of the first continental congress in 1774, and of the state papers put forth by that body some of the most important, including the "Declaration to the Armies," the 2 petitions to the king, and the "Address to the States," were the production of his pen. He, however, opposed the adoption of the "Decla ration of Independence," believing that the movement was premature, and that compromise was still practicable, and was one of the few members of congress who did not sign that instrument. So unpopular did he become with his constituents for his course on this occasion, that for several years he was absent from the

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public councils, although in the interim he signified his devotion to the American cause by serving as a private soldier in Delaware against the British forces. In 1779 he returned to congress as a member from Delaware, and wrote the "Address to the States" of May 26. He was subsequently president of the states of Delaware and Pennsylvania successively, and a member of the federal convention for framing a constitution. In 1788 appeared his "Fabius" letters, advocating the adoption of the new constitution. Another series over the same signature, on the relations of the United States with France, published in 1797, was his last work. His political writings were published in 2 vols. in 1801. He was a man of elegant learning and fine conversational powers.

DICKINSON, JONATHAN, an American Presbyterian clergyman, born in Hatfield, Mass., April 22, 1688, died in Elizabethtown, N. J., Oct. 17, 1747. He was graduated at Yale college in 1706, and 2 or 3 years afterward was installed as pastor of the only Presbyterian congregation at that time existing in Elizabethtown, N. J., which relationship continued until his death. His parish comprised not only Elizabethtown, but the adjoining townships of Rahway, Westfield, Union, Springfield, and part of Chatham. After the separation of the New Jersey churches from the synod of Philadelphia in 1741, it was determined to establish a collegiate institution in the former colony, and a charter for the college of New Jersey was obtained from acting Governor Hamilton. The first classes were opened in Elizabethtown, and Dickinson was elected president. His services were acceptable in an eminent degree, but he did not live to confer the scholastic degrees upon his first class. His high reputation among his contemporaries, as a preacher and a controversialist, is well sustained by his published sermons and theological treatises.

DICKINSON COLLEGE. See CARLISLE. DICKSON, a N. N. W. co. of Tenn., bounded N. E. by Cumberland river, and drained by several of its affluents; area, about 650 sq. m.; pop. in 1850, 8,404, of whom 2,118 were slaves. It has a rolling surface and a tolerably fertile soil. Grain, hay, and live stock are the principal staples. In 1850 the productions were 388,781 bushels of Indian corn, 60,985 of oats, and 10,148 lbs. of wool. There were 20 churches, and 1,755 pupils attending public schools. The Cumberland river is navigable by steamboats along the border of the county. Capital, Charlotte. DICKSON, SAMUEL HENRY, an American physician, born in Charleston, S. C., in Sept. 1798. He was graduated at Yale college in 1814, and immediately after commenced the study of medicine in his native city; during the prevalence of the yellow fever there in 1817, he practised for a time. In 1818-'19 he attended the medical course of lectures of the university of Pennsylvania, and graduating in the latter year, at once entered upon the practice of his profession. He was instrumental in the estab

lishment of a medical college in Charleston, and on its organization in 1824 he was called to the chair of institutes and practice of medicine. In 1832 he retired from this position, but in the following year, on the reorganization of the institution as the medical college of the state of South Carolina, he was reëlected. In 1847 he was called to succeed Dr. Revere in the professorship of the practice of medicine in the university of New York, which he filled during 3 successive years, till in 1850 he was induced, at the earnest solicitation of his former associates in the medical college of the state of South Carolina, to return to his professorship in that institution. In 1858 he was called to the chair of practice of medicine in the Jefferson medical college, Philadelphia, which he now fills. Dr. Dickson has contributed many papers on subjects connected with his profession to various medical journals throughout the United States, and is beside the author of the following books: "Manual of Pathology and Practice of Medicine," published in New York; "Essays on Pathology and Therapeutics" (2 vols. 8vo., New York, 1845); "Essays on Life, Sleep, Pain, &c." (12mo., Philadelphia, 1852); "Elements of Medicine (8vo., Philadelphia, 1835). In addition to these professional labors, he has delivered numerous speeches, lectures, and addresses on various subjects of general utility or interest. It is a fact worthy of note that he delivered the first temperance address ever heard south of Mason and Dixon's line.

DICQUEMARE, JACQUES FRANÇOIS, a French naturalist and astronomer, born in Havre, March 7, 1733, died March 29, 1789. He was a Catholic priest; became professor of experimental physics at Havre, member of the academy of Rouen and of the royal marine academy, and invented several useful instruments in connection with astronomy and navigation. He is better known, however, by his researches into the natural history of zoophytes, infusoria, and mollusks, and particularly by his interesting discoveries relative to sea anemones, on which he published an essay in French and English (4to., London, 1774). He designed an instrument called the cosmoplane, by means of which he solved problems in nautical astronomy. Beside more than 60 papers in the Journal de physique, he left an Index géographique (4to., 1769); Idée générale de l'astronomie (Paris, 1769); Connaissance de l'astronomie (8vo., 1771).

DICTATOR, the chief magistrate in the cities of the ancient Latin confederacy, in Alba, Tusculum, &c. The Romans adopted the word from their Latin neighbors, and applied it in the earliest period of the republic to exceptional magistrates appointed in times of danger, with nearly absolute power over life and property, from which there was no appeal to law or people. The dictator was usually nominated by the senate, and appointed by one of the consuls, for 6 months, during which time the consuls and other regular magistrates continued in their office, though subject to his dictates, and