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GEORGE, HENRY
752
GEORGIA


HENRY GEORGE

George, Henry, American writer on social and economic subjects, was born at Philadelphia, Sept. 2, 1839, and died at New York, Oct. 29, 1897. In early youth he was apprenticed on a sailing vessel, and went to California, and there applied himself to journalism, founding the San Francisco Post. In the west he zealously addressed himself to the discussion of public affairs, setting forth his views on land reform in a work entitled Our Land and Land Policy. In 1879 appeared his famous work, Progress and Poverty, which created widespread and intelligent interest. He returned to the east in 1880 and published a brochure on The Irish Land-Question, visited Great Britain, and lectured there and in the United States, discussing the land-question and the economic problems of the time. In 1886 he was a candidate for the mayoralty of New York on the United Labor party's ticket, but was defeated. He founded The Standard, which he edited, and also wrote Social Problems, The Land-Question and Protection and Free Trade. To further his theories, he organized single-tax clubs over the country and addressed them on the special topics in which he was zealously interested.

George Junior-Republic, The, is a republic of boys and girls founded in 1895 by William R. George of New York City, near Freeville, N. Y. Its purpose is to afford a home, with means of work and education, for homeless or unfortunate children. It is a little community by itself, electing its own officers, legislative assembly etc. after the United States model. At first Mr. George acted as its president, and other adults filled some of the more important offices, but since 1896 all positions have been held by citizens of the republic themselves. The age of entrance is from 12 to 18, and children from any part of the United States may be admitted. The trustees control a farm of 240 acres, and the citizens carry on farming, carpentry, printing, dressmaking, domestic science, etc. Children under 16 must attend the republic's school. Every one of the citizens of this busy little nation is required to do some kind of work. Pay is given in aluminum coin, with which alone can the goods of the community be purchased. At the end of the summer this coin is exchangeable for United States money and the young citizens usually show much judgment and self-control both in saving and spending.

George, Lake, also called Horicon, a beautiful lake, 32 miles long, near the eastern border of New York state. It forms the headwaters of Lake Champlain, is studded with hundreds of picturesque islands, and its shores contain several favorite summer-resorts, especially the village of Caldwell or Lake George. It was the scene of important military operations during the French and Indian Wars of 1755 to 1759.

George, St., the especial patron of chivalry and the protecting saint of England. His history is surrounded by legends. The most probable story is that he was born of noble Christian parents in Cappadocia, became distinguished as a soldier, and, after testifying to his faith before the Emperor Diocletian, was tortured and put to death at Nicomedia, April 23, 303. Reverence for the sufferer spread through Phœnicia, Palestine and the whole east. Churches were built in his honor, and the Hellespont was called St. George's Arm. A legend describes St. George as slaying a dragon. In 1350 Edward III made him the patron of the Order of the Garter, and in the next century Frederick of Austria founded an order of knighthood called after him. He was much worshiped during the crusades, and was adopted as the soldier-saint who led his votaries to victory. He is also the patron saint of Russia. See Baring-Gould's Curious Myths of the Middle Ages.

Georgetown, capital of British Guiana, in South America, is situated on the right bank of Demerara River, not far from its mouth. Some of the streets are traversed by canals, with bridges at the cross-streets. The principal public edifices are the government-building, the cathedral, Queen's College and a museum and library. There are a short railway to Mahaica and a telephone and telegraph system. There is a good harbor, with a lighthouse and defences built within recent years. Population 53,167.

Georgia. Georgia is a southern, Atlantic state and the last settled of the original 13 colonies. It has an area of 59,475 square miles, being as large as England and Wales combined and nearly as large as all the New England States together. It is 320 miles long and 259 wide, and lies between Tennessee and North Carolina on the north; South Carolina and the Atlantic on the east; Florida on the south; and Alabama (with an angle of Florida) on the west.

Surface. The state lies both in the Appalachian and in the coastal-plain region, hence the surface is divided between highlands and lowlands. In the northern section the elevation is between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above the sea-level, the latter height being attained by only a few peaks, the highest of which is Sitting-Bull Mountain, 5,046 feet above the sea. An area of about