MIDAS 221 MIDDLESBROUGH past generation have resulted from the employment of the microscope. MIDAS (mi'das), in Greek legend, a King of Phrygia, son of Gordius and Cybele, and pupil of Orpheus. For his kindness to Silenus he was promised by Dionysus whatever he should ask, and in MICROSCOPE A. Body B. Stage C. Adjustments D. Substage containing Condenser, Diaptiragm, Stops, and Color Screens E. Drawtube F. Mirror G. Eyepiece H. Objective his folly he asked that everything he touched should become gold; but, as the very food he touched was at once changed into gold, he was soon fain to implore the gQd to take back his fatal gift. He was told to bathe in the sources of the Pactolus. and from that day to this its sands have jdelded grains of gold. There are also several other legends concerning him. MIDDELBURG, capital of the Dutch province of Zealand, on the island of Walcheren, AVz miles N. E. of Flushing. In former times it was one of the lead- ing mercantile cities of the United Prov- inces, sending many ships to the East and West Indies, and the Levant (Thomas Cromwell was one of its mer- chants); but its commercial importance has greatly declined. Pop. about 20,000. MIDDLE AGES, a term rather indefi- nitely used with reference to different nations. Hallam applies it to the period from the invasion of France by Clovis, A. D. 486, to the invasion of Naples by Charles VIII., in 1495. In England it may be considered as representing the. in- terval between the Saxon invasion, A. D. 449. and the accession of Henry VII., 1485. Generally it may be considered as the period of time connecting what are called the ancient and modem periods of history, and extending from the decline of the Roman empire till the revival of letters in Europe. The epithet of the Dark Ages was frequently applied to the earlier portion of the period. MIDDLEBORO, a town in Plymouth CO., Mass.; on the Nemasket river, and on the New York, New Haven, and Hart- ford railroad; 35 miles S. of Boston. It is one of the oldest towns in Plymouth county, having been incorporated June 1, 1669, and has many points of historic in- terest. The town includes the villages of North Middleboro, Four Corners, Ne- masket, Puddingshire, Tack Factory, Thomastown, Waterville, the Green, South Middleboro, Rock, and Eddyville. There are gas and electric light plants, owned by the town, a high school. Na- tional and savings banks, and weekly newspapers. It has manufactories of shoes, straw goods, open grates, and woolen goods, besides sawmills, iron foundry, marble works, etc. Pop. (1910) 8,214; (1920) 8,453. MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, a non- sectarian institution of Middlebury, Vt,, established in 1800. In 1883 women were admitted to the college, but later in 1905 a separate college was opened for them apart from the original college. The combined institution has about 150 students and a faculty of 30. The courses are the regular ones offered in the arts and science departments of American universities. The library has about 30,000 volumes. The endowment fund is $400,000 and the income about $40,000. MIDDLESBORO, a city of Bell CO., Ky., 64 miles N. E. of Knoxville, Tenn., near the Tennessee boundary line, on the Louisville and Nashville, and the South- em railroads. Is a favored resort^ of summer visitors, and has large hospital and city buildings. Coal, iron industries and attractive schools. Pop. (1910) 7,305; (1920) 8,041. MIDDLESBROUGH, a manufacturing town, port and municipal and parliament- Vol. VI— Cyc—
