COFFIN 47 COHOES "Our New Way Round the World" (1869); "Story of Liberty" (1878); "Life of Garfield" (1883) ; and "The Drum-Beat of the Nation" (1887), the first volume of a series. He died in Brookline, Mass., March 2, 1896. COFFIN, WILLIAM ANDERSON, an American painter, born in Allegheny, Pa., in 1855. He studied art in the United States and in Paris. In 1882 he opened a studio in New York, where his pictures immediately attracted attention. He was a frequent exhibitor at the Paris Salon, at the National Academy, and other art galleries. He received many prizes for excellence in artistic work. From 1886 to 1891 he served as art critic for the New York "Evening Post," and he filled the same position for the New York "Sun" from 1896 to 1900. He was Director of Fine Arts for the Buffalo Exposition in 1901 and served in many responsible positions on art commissions in the United States and foreign countries. COGHLAN, CHARLES FRANCIS, an American actor; bom in Paris, France, in 1841. He was educated for the bar in London, but went on the stage, mak- ing his American debut in 1880 as Cap- tain Absolute in "The Rivals." He took leading parts for many years at Wal- lack's and supporting eminent actors. He wrote "Jocelyn," "Lady Barter," and other plays. He died in Galveston, Texas, Nov. 27, 1899. COGHLAN, ROSE, an actress; sister to the above; bom in Peterboro, Eng- land, in 1853. She rose from humble roles in England to be leading lady, mak- ing her American debut in 1872. From 1880 to 1889 she was Wallack's leading lady, and since 1893 has been identified with important productions. COGNAC, (kon-yak) ^ a town in France, department of Charente; near the river Charente; 22 miles W. of Angouleme. Is famous for the brandy bearing its name. COGNIZANCE, in Heraldry, a badge in the more restricted sense of that term. COGNOSCENTI (kon-yos-chen'te) , persons professing a critical knowledge of works of art, and of a somewhat more pretentious character than amateurs. COGNOMEN, the hereditary family name such as Cicero, Cato, etc.) among the ancient Romans. The other two names generally borne by every well-born Roman, viz. the praeixomen and nomen (as in Marcus TuUius Cicero), served to denote the individual (Marcus), and the gen?^ (TuUius) or clan to which his family belonged. COGNOVIT, in the law of England, the defendant's written confession that the plaintiff's cause against him is just and true. By this confession before or after issue, the defendant suffers judg- ment to be entered against him without trial, in which case the judgment is called judgment by confession. COHAN. GEORGE M(ICHAEL), an American actor and playwright, born in Providence, R. I., in 1878. His first appearance on the stage was made at the age of 9. He appeared in vaude- ville with other members of his family for many years. In 1904 he appeared as a star in "Little Johnny Jones," and later in "George Washington, Jr." He was the author of many successful com- edies, including "The Yankee Prince" (1909) ; "Seven Keys to Baldpate" ( 1913 ) ; "Hit-the -Trail Holliday" (1915). He was also a composer of many popular songs, including "Over There," for the writing of which he re- ceived a prize of $25,000. This song be- came extremely popular with the Amer- ican soldiers and civilians during the World War. COHESION, the force which unites two molecules of the same nature; as, for instance, two molecules of iron or two molecules of water. It is strongly excited in solids, less strongly in liquids, and not at all in gases. It varies not merely according to the nature of dif- ferent bodies, but also with the arrange- ment of molecules in the same body ; thus the tempering of steel alters the molecular arrangement in that sub- stance, with the effect also of altering its cohesion. Tenacity, hardness, ductility, etc., arise from modifications in their cohesion. COHOES, a city of Albany co., N. Y.; at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, and the junction of the Erie and the Champlain canals; and on the New York Central and the Delaware and Hudson railroads; 9 miles N. of Albany. The Mohawk river has a fall of over 70 feet at this point, and supplies unlimited power, making Cohoes a very important manufacturing community. The Mohawk river is crossed by a dam above the falls, and the water is supplied to the mills and factories by means of canals. The principal manufactures are cotton, woolen and worsted knit goods, foundry and machine shop products, boots and shoes, tobacco, paper boxes, and bread and bakery products. The city is connected with Albany, Troy, and other neighboring cities by electric street railways. The most note-
