in this disease, Marchand found 794 per cent. of organic matter, and 20-6 of earthy salts in a femur; while Ragsky found 8112 per cent. of organic matter, and only 1888 of earthy salts in a humerus: thus shewing that these bones contained less than one-third of the normal quantity of earthy salts. The weight of the body acting on bones thus constructed causes them to bend, and the thighs or shins are abnormally arched, or the spine is curved, or, in slighter cases, only the normal form of the ankle is modified. In aggravated cases, the chest 13 so affected as to give rise to the condition known as pigeon-breasted; the lower jaw is imperfectly developed, and the teeth project; and the pelvis becomes so altered in form as to render future childbearing in the highest degree perilous. Rickets is exclusively a disease of childhood, and generally attacks the children of the poor.

The treatment must be mainly directed to the improvement of the general health. Free exposure to pure bracing air, sponging with sea-water, or seabathing if the little patient can bear it, an abundance of animal food, cod-liver oil, iron, and quinia, include all that need be said about general treatment. Dr Druitt recommends a jelly containing phosphate of lime (with the view of restoring to the bones the salt in which they are specially deficient). It is well worthy of further trial, and may be prepared as follows: Boil about four ounces of ivorydust in water for ten minutes; then strain off the water, and throw it away with the impurities which it has taken up. Add more water, in which the dust should be stewed till the jelly is extracted, and the dust itself is soft enough to crush between the teeth. Lemon-juice, wine, sugar, or other flavouring ingredients, may be added; and the softened ivory-dust should be eaten with the jelly. When a child with crooked legs is brought to a surgeon, he must carefully ascertain whether the crookedness depends on mere relaxation of the joints, or whether it lies in the bones themselves. In the former case, the child will probably grow up straight when his general health improves; whereas in the latter case (if the femur or tibia is absoIntely bent), the surgeon must give a very guarded

opinion.

RICKMAN, THOMAS, a distinguished architect, was born at Maidenhead in 1776. He was unsettled in early life, and tried several employments both in London and Maidenhead. He managed his father's business of druggist for some time, and afterwards became a clerk in an insurance office. He seems to have always had a love for architecture, and to have studied it carefully. In 1808, he began to give his full attention to it, and wrote the classification of Gothic styles, which has rendered him famous. He first pointed out the features which distinguish the different periods of that style. He divided it into four periods, and called them NorDan, Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular (9), and these names and the dates he assigned to them are still the most frequently used.

R. became after this an architect in Birmingham, and was employed to design a great many buildings, especially churches. He died in March 1841. His work is called An Attempt to discriminate the Styles of Architecture in England from the Conquest to the Reformation. It was first written for Smith's Panorama of Science and Art, and has passed through several editions; that by Parker of Oxford (1847) is the best.

RICOCHET, in Artillery, is the bounding of a thot along the ground which takes place when a gun is fired low. Ricochet firing is found extremely useful both in its actual and moral effect in clearing

the face of a ravelin, bastion, or other rather long line of fortification. If well directed, the ricochet shot bounding along will dismount guns, scatter the gunners, and greatly intimidate the garrison. Vauban first introduced ricochet firing at the siege of Philipsburg in 1688. The defence against this sort of attack consists in earthen traverses along the threatened line, or in a bonnet (see FORTIFICATION) at the point of parapet nearest the enemy. In the field, ricochet, where the shot or shell is made to bound forward at least ten times, produces most disastrous and demoralising effects on masses of cavalry and infantry, whom it hews down in long lines.

RIDDLE (Ger. räthsel), a paraphrastic presentation of an unmentioned subject, the design of which is to excite the reader or hearer to the discovery of the meaning hidden under a studied obscurity of expression. In the present day, the riddle is a mere jeu d'esprit-a sort of witty pastime for idle people; we only meet with it under the form of Conundrum (q. v.), but anciently-and its antiquity is very great-it held a far higher place, and was put to far more important uses, although in its inferior phase of conundrum it was likewise a part of the intellectual entertainment at Greek, and latterly at Roman banquets. Among the easterns, it naturally associated itself with their symbolical modes of thought, and was also, as it still is, abundantly employed for didactic purposes. The so-called Proverbs or sayings attributed to Solomon frequently assume the form of riddles. Josephus relates, on the authority of Dius, the Phoenician historian, and of Menander of Ephesus, that Hiram, king of Tyre, and Solomon had once a contest in riddles or dark sayings, in which Solomon first won a large sum of money from Hiram, but ultimately lost it to Abdemon, one of Hiram's subjects-a curious instance of philosophical gambling. Every reader of the Old Testament is familiar with the riddle which Samson proposed to the Philistines, and the 'enigmas' (as the Septuagint has it) that the Queen of Sheba proposed to Solomon, though it is perhaps doubtful if the latter were more than hard or difficult questions plainly put. The riddle is found in the Koran, and several books of riddles exist in Arabic and Persian. It would appear that they were also known to the ancient Egyptians, while among the Greeks they were allied in the earliest times with the ora cula, or mystic utterances of the inspired priests, and were generally, as is the case with Samson's riddle, in verse; but in Greece they first came into Vogue about the time of the Seven Wise Men,' one of whom, named Kleobulos, as also his daughter Kleobuline, was celebrated for the composition of metrical riddles (griphoi), some of which are still remembered. Even the greater poets did not refuse to introduce the riddle into their writings, or to devote whole poems to the subject-as, for example, the Syrinx, commonly ascribed to Theocritus. Homer, according to a statement in Plutarch, died of chagrin at not being able to solve a riddle; and the riddle of the Sphinx (see EDIPUS) is probably the most celebrated in the whole circle of philosophical puzzles. Among the Romans, professional riddle-makers did not make their appearance till the latest period of Roman literature, the reason assigned for which is the superior gravity and earnestness of the Roman genius, which, it is said, did not easily find pleasure in such modes of intellectual activity. Appuleius wrote a Liber Ludicrorum et Griphorum, but it is no longer extant, and almost the only name we can fix upon is a certain Cælius Firmianus Symposius, whose riddles, comprising a hundred hexametrical triplets,

·

are termed by Alhelmus (8th c.), apparently with justice, Carmina inepta.

The riddle, but more perhaps as an amusement for the baronial hall on winter-nights, or for the monastic mess-room, than as a serious intellectual effort, was much cultivated during the middle ages. This character of lively or amusing puzzle it has ever since for the most part retained. Many specimens of what would now be termed riddle' or conundrum books' exist in French, English, and German collections of manuscripts, and were printed at an early period. One of these, entitled Demands Joyous, which may be rendered Amusing Questions,' was printed in English by Wynkin de Worde in 1511. Many of these joyous demands' are simply coarse jests; but others, again, illustrate the simple, child-like religious belief of medieval Christendom-e. g., Demand: What bare the best burden that ever was borne?' Response: The ass that carried our Lady when she fled with our Lord into Egypt.' Some are really fitted to excite risibility-e. g, Demand: What is that that never was and never will be? Response: A mouse's nest in a cat's ear.'-What is the worst bestowed charity that one can give?' Alms to a blind man; for he would be glad to see the person hanged that gave it to him.' The Reformation, at least in Protestant countries, checked, if it did not wholly stop, the merry pastime of riddle-making; but in the 17th c. it began to creep into favour again. Le Père Ménestrier, a learned Jesuit, wrote a grave treatise on the subject; and in France, riddles soon rivalled in popularity the madrigals and sonnets of the period. The Abbé Cotin was a famous fabricator of riddles, and published a recueil of his own and those of his contemporaries, preceded by a dissertation, in which he modestly dubbed himself Le Père de l'Enigme (The Father of the Riddle); but, as a French critic remarks, posterity has not recognised his paternity. In the 15th c, the taste for the manufacture of riddles continued to increase, and most of the brilliant French litterateurs, such as Boileau, Voltaire, and Rousseau, did a little in this line, until, finally, the Mercure de France became a fortnightly repository of riddles, the solution of which was sufficient to make a reputation in society. In Germany, Schiller gave a broader development to the riddle. In his hands, it once again became something grave and sibylline, and attained in expression a high degree of literary beauty and force. A good collection of the best riddles is to be found in Ohnesorgen's collection, entitled Sphinx (6 vols. Ber. 1833).

RIDGE, the upper angle of a roof, usually covered with lead or zinc, and sometimes with stone or tile. Ridges are often ornamented with a cresting or running design, and recently cast-iron has been much used for this purpose.

RIDING (Saxon, trithing, third part), a term applied to three parts into which the county of York is divided, termed respectively East, West, and North Riding. A similar division existed in Beveral other counties in the Anglo-Saxon period; there were the laths of Keut, the rapes of Sussex, the parts of Lincoln. The trithing, lath, or rape was formed of three or more hundreds, and presided over by a trithing-man or lath grieve. In Domes day Bo, we tind Yorkshire divided, as at present, into three ridings, and subdivided into wapentakes, See WAPENTAKE.

RIDING-MASTER, an officer in the cavalry, military train, and artillery, whose duty it is to instruct the officers and men in the management of their horses. He is most commonly selected

length of service to 10s. 6d. and 128.; beslen which, he receives £7 per troop per annum for riding-house expenses; and he is believe i to make some protit out of this allowance. The nig master has the relative rank of lieutenant, ani after an aggregate service of 30 years, including at least 15 years as riding-master, he has the n't to retire on 108. a day, with the honorary rank of captain.

RIDLEY, NICHOLAS, one of the most noted leaders of the Reformation in England in the 16th century, was a native of Northumberland, and born about the commencement of the centry, He was educated at the foundation school of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and subsequently at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. He became a Fellow of this college in 1524, and ultimately President. The spint of the Reformation had already begun to penetrate the universities both of Oxford and Cambridge, Tyndale and Bilney had taught the new doctres in the latter place; and Ridley, no less than Cranmer and Latimer, all Cambridge students about the same period, had probably caught we thing of their spirit. This reforming tendency was greatly strengthened by a tour on the continent of Europe, which he undertook on the completion of his studies. He encountered some of the most active Reformers abroad, and after a thre years' absence, he returned, with his princips firmly grounded in favour of the new course of things. He became proctor to the university of Cambridge, and in this capacity protested aga nat the claims of the papal see to supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction in England. He was also chimen public orator, and, under the patronage of b.s friend Cranmer, advanced first to be one of the king's chaplains, and then, in 1547, nominstei Bishop of Rochester. He distinguished himself by his vehement denunciations of the idolatrous use of images and of holy water, and very soon became one of the most prominent, as he remained one of the most consistent and inflexible supporters of the Reformed doctrines. He joined actively a the measures of Edward VI.'s reign, and on the deprivation of Bonner, Bishop of London, Radley became his successor, three years subsequent to his elevation to the see of Rochester. In this higa position he distinguished himself by his moderat, a his learning, and his muniticence.' He earnestly promoted the Reformation, yet without bigotry e intolerance; he exerted himself in the foundat of Christ's Hospital, and of the hospitals of St Bartholomew and St Thomas in Southwark, the two latter of which have become eminent as schla of medicine the former as a school of class al and general instruction. He assisted Cranmer in the preparation of the 41 articles, afterwar's reduced to 39. On the death of Edward VI., be Grey; and on its speedy failure, and the as warmly espoused the unfortunate cause of Lady Jare of Mary, his known connection with it, as well as his general activity in the cause of the Reformat. n. exposed him to the vengeance of the papal party, again ascendant. He was committed to the lower in 1553, and in the subsequent year, when a cont cation was convened at Oxford for the daE 3 of the doctrine of transubstantiation, he was removed thither along with Cranmer and Late in order that he might engage in the discusa. It was not to be expected, however, that any would issue from such a step as this. The discussion proved a mere pretence; the Reformers were adjudged defeated and obstinate heretics, and condemned to suffer at the stake. On the 16th Octoong 1555, R. was led forth to execution, along with Lar

d

are termed by Aldhelmus (8th c.), apparently with justice, Carmina inepta.

The riddle, but more perhaps as an amusement for the baronial hall on winter-nights, or for the monastic mess-room, than as a serious intellectual effort, was much cultivated during the middle ages. This character of lively or amusing puzzle it has ever since for the most part retained. Many specimens of what would now be termed riddle' or conundrum books' exist in French, English, and German collections of manuscripts, and were printed at an early period. One of these, entitled Demands Joyous, which may be rendered Amusing Questions,' was printed in English by Wynkin de Worde in 1511. Many of these joyous demands' are simply coarse jests; but others, again, illustrate the simple, child-like religious belief of medieval Christendom-e. g., Demand: What bare the best burden that ever was borne?' Response: The ass that carried our Lady when she fled with our Lord into Egypt.' Some are really fitted to excite risibility-e. g., Demand: • What is that that never was and never will be?' Response: A monse's nest in a cat's ear.'-'What is the worst bestowed charity that one can give?' Alms to a blind man; for he would be glad to see the person hanged that gave it to him.' The Reformation, at least in Protestant countries, checked, if it did not wholly stop, the merry pastime of riddle-making; but in the 17th c. it began to creep into favour again. Le Père Ménestrier, a learned Jesuit, wrote a grave treatise on the subject; and in France, riddles soon rivalled in popularity the madrigals and sonnets of the period. The Abbé Cotin was a famous fabricator of riddles, and published a recueil of his own and those of his contemporaries, preceded by a dissertation, in which he modestly dubbed himself Le Père de l'Enigme (The Father of the Riddle); but, as a French critic remarks, posterity has not recognised his paternity. In the 1sth c., the taste for the manufacture of riddles continued to increase, and most of the brilliant French litterateurs, such as Boileau, Voltaire, and Rousseau, did a little in this line, until, finally, the Mercure de France became a fortnightly repository of riddles, the solution of which was sufficient to make a reputation in society. In Germany, Schiller gave a broader development to the riddle. In his hands, it once again became something grave and sibyiline, and attained in expression a high degree of literary beauty and force. A good collection of the best riddles is to be found in Ohnesorgen's collection, entitled Sphinx (6 vols. Ber. 1833).

RIDGE, the upper angle of a roof, usually covered with lead or zinc, and sometimes with stone or tile. Ridges are often ornamented with a cresting or running design, and recently cast-iron has been much used for this purpose.

RIDING (Saxon, trithing, third part), a term applied to three parts into which the county of York is divided, termed respectively East, West, and North Riding. A similar division existed in several other counties in the Anglo Saxon period; there were the laths of Kent, the rapes of Sussex, the par's of Lincoln. The trithing, lath, or rape was formed of three or more hundreds, and presided over by a trithing-man or lath grieve. In Domes dary Book, we find Yorkshire divided, as at present, into three ridings, and subdivided into wapentakes. See WAPENTAKE.

RIDING-MASTER, an officer in the cavalry, military train, and artillery, whose duty it is to instruct the officers and men in the management of their horses. He is most commonly selected hom the ranks; his pay is 98. a day, rising by

length of service to 10s. 6d. and 128; bendes which, he receives £7 per troop per annum for riding-house expenses; and he is believed to make some profit out of this allowance. The n master has the relative rank of lieutenant, an 1, after an aggregate service of 30 years, including at least 15 years as riding-master, he has the nett to retire on 108. a day, with the honorary rank of captain.

RIDLEY, NICHOLAS, one of the most noted leaders of the Reformation in England in the 16th century, was a native of Northumberland, and born about the commencement of the century. He was educated at the foundation school of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and subsequently at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. He became a Fellow of this cel lege in 1524, and ultimately President. The spirt of the Reformation had already begun to penetrate the universities both of Oxford and Cambridge. Tyndale and Bilney had taught the new doctrines in the latter place; and Ridley, no less than Cranmer and Latimer, all Cambridge students about the same period, had probably caught winething of their spirit. This reforming tendency was greatly strengthened by a tour on the conta ent of Europe, which he undertook on the coropletion of his studies. He encountered some of the most active Reformers abroad, and after a thre years' absence, he returned, with his principies firmly grounded in favour of the new course of things. He became proctor to the university of Cambridge, and in this capacity protested against the claims of the papal see to supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction in England. He was also chones public orator, and, under the patronage of bus friend Cranmer, advanced first to be one of the king's chaplains, and then, in 1547, nominsted Bishop of Rochester. He distinguished himself by his vehement denunciations of the idolatrous use of images and of holy water, and very soon became one of the most prominent, as he remained one of the most consistent and inflexible supporters of the Reformed doctrines. He joined actively in the measures of Edward VI.'s reign, and on the deprivation of Bonner, Bishop of London, Riley became his successor, three years subsequent to his elevation to the see of Rochester. In this higa position he distinguished himself by his moderat: vn, his learning, and his munificence.' He earnestly promoted the Reformation, yet without bigotry de intolerance; he exerted himself in the foundation of Christ's Hospital, and of the hospitals of St Bartholomew and St Thomas in Southwark, the two latter of which have become eminent as schola of medicine--the former as a school of class.. al and general instruction. He assisted Cranmer in the preparation of the 41 articles, afterwar is reduced to 39. On the death of Edward VL, be warmly espoused the unfortunate cause of Lady Jane Grey; and on its speedy failure, and the accesson of Mary, his known connection with it, as well as his general activity in the cause of the Reformat. e exposed him to the vengeance of the papal party. again ascendant. He was committed to the Tower in 1553, and in the subsequent year, when a convi cation was convened at Oxford for the disen of the doctrine of transubstantiation, he was re moved thither along with Cranmer and Latine r in order that he might engage in the discusson it was not to be expected, however, that any ** would issue from such a step as this. The discus sion proved a mere pretence; the Reformers were adjudged defeated and obstinate heretics, and emdemned to suffer at the stake. On the 16th October 1555, R. was led forth to execution, along with hư friend and fellow-reformer, Latimer. He suffered