Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 04.djvu/339

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GEOBGE 287 GEORGE III. bei' of possible solutions in any given case is limited or unlimited. Descriptive Geometry. — Geometry of which the feature is to represent solid bodies with accurate form, perspective, etc., on paper, or other plane surface. Elementary Geonnetry. — Geometry treating of points, lines, surfaces, or the ordinary solids, as distinguished from conic sections, etc., called the higher geometry. Higher geometry, see under paragraph above. Plane Geometry. — Geometry relating to surfaces, or to lines drawn or points placed on them. Solid Geometry. — Geometry relating to solids. GEORGE, a division of the W. prov- ince of Cape Colony, on the S. coast, E. of Cape To^vn. It contains 2,600 square miles. It is valuable chiefly for its pas- turage and its timber. The town of George stands 6 miles N. of the coast, and has a population of over 2,000. On the coast is the port of Mossel Bay. GEORGE I., King of England; bom in Hanover, March 28, 1660. He was son of Ernest I., first Elector of Hanover, and of the Princess Sophia, granddaugh- ter of James I., King of England, and succeeded his father in the electorate, in 1698. On the death of Queen Anne, in 1714, he was called to the throne of Eng- land, and this was the beginning of the English dynasty of Brunswick. He gave his support to the Whigs, and was pru- dently neutral as regarded the Conti- nental wars of his time, yet he joined the Triple Alliance of 1717 and the Quadru- ple Alliance of 1718 against Spain. He had as premier Sir Robert Walpole, whose genius repressed all attempts at disorder, and nullified the efforts of the so-called Pretender, James III. Unfortu- nate in his family relations, George was obliged to divorce his wife, Sophia of Zell, charged with an intrigue, and imprison her in the castle of Ahlen, where she ended her days in 1726, after a confinement of 32 years. He died in Osnabriick, June 11, 1727. GEORGE II., King of England, son of the preceding; born in Hanover, Nov. 10, 1683. He succeeded his father in 1727. He retained as his prime minister Sir Robert Walpole, who preserved the country from war during the first 12 years of his reign. In the war of the Aus- trian Succession he declared himself on the side of the Empress Maria Theresa, and against France. His armies, success- ful at Dettingen (1743), failed signally at Fontenoy (1745) and at Laffeld (1747), but the campaign was closed by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748). Mean- time, however, his throne had been strengthened by the victory of Culloden, gained over Prince Charles Edward Stu- art and his adherents in 1746. War hav- ing in 1755 again broken out on the con- tinent of Europe, England experienced fresh reverses in Germany and lost her Hanoverian dominions, but these losse? were more than compensated by brilliant and valuable conquests in the East In- dies and in America. George was the founder of the British Museum. He died in London, Oct. 25, 1760. GEORGE III., King of England, son of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales; born in London, June 4, 1738. He suc- ceeded his grandfather, George II., in 1760. In the early part of his reign he gained brilliant successes over France and Austria in the Seven Years' War, GEORGE III. OF ENGLAND and in 1763 concluded an advantageous peace. In 1764 George Grenville suc- ceeded to Lord Bute as premier, and the American Stamp Act was passed the fol- lowing year. After a long and fruitless war, the independence of the United States was acknowledged. In 1782 Lord Shelbume was placed at the head of the State, with Mr. Pitt, son of the Earl of Chatham as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 1783 the memorable coalition ministry between Mr. Fox and Lord North was formed. To this the king was decidedly hostile; and as soon as Mr. Fox's India bill had been rejected by the Lords, ho sent a message to him and Lord North,