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GERMINY-GERVINUS.

assisted in the important work, "The | 1857 M. de Germiny succeeded the

Description of the City of Rome," by Plattner, the first idea of which was given by Niebuhr, and which Bunsen subsequently continued. He undertook to execute for this purpose a work under the title "Descriptiones de Regionibus Urbis," comprehending everything known of the topography of ancient Rome; but, unfortunately, this work has never been completed. Gerhard has been a voluminous writer; but a mere catalogue of his numerous works, large and small, would be of little interest to the general public. He is accurate, graphic, clear in all his statements and descriptions. He has described the antiquities in the museums of Rome, Naples, and Berlin, and has written on Etruscan mirrors, on Grecian cups and vases, on all the subjects of ancient art interesting to the scholar and antiquary. He has been for some years corresponding member of the French Institute, of which he was elected foreign associate in 1860. GERMINY, CHARLES GABRIEL LE BEGUE, COUNT DE, late Governor of the Bank of France, is the son of a gentleman in Normandy, and first entered official life as Prefect of the Department of Seine and Marne in 1830. He subsequently represented Melun in the Chamber of Deputies. After his marriage with the daughter of H. Humann, he became ReceiverGeneral of Melun, and subsequently of the Seine-Inférieure, acquiring in these two offices much varied knowledge of administrative details in connection with financial affairs, which he has since turned to account. During 1848 M. de Germiny was for a short time Minister of Finance. When the Crédit Mobilier and Crédit Foncier societies were founded in 1852, M. de Germiny was selected as president of the latter. It has been no fault of his that it has failed to carry out the objects for which it was created, viz., the relief of agriculture, more especially by facilitating loans on mortgage on moderate and equitable conditions. In the summer of

Count d'Argout as Governor of the Bank of France. He is said to have been opposed to any extension of the paper currency unaccompanied by a proportionate metallic basis; and on that account he was as a candidate less popular among a certain class of French financiers than some who were named for the office. Nevertheless his appointment gave general satisfaction in the French capital. In 1862 he was succeeded in his post by M. de Vintry (whom see). The Count de Germiny has taken part in the establishment of many industrial and commercial undertakings, es pecially in the city of Rouen. He is also Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and Vice-President of the Council General of the Seine-Inférieure.

GERSTAECKER, FREDERICK, was born at Hamburg, May 10, 1816. Disdaining to settle quietly down to a commercial life, he emigrated, when an apprentice, to New York. Thence he journeyed on foot to Canada, Texas, &c., and took any work that was offered to him, having at different times been a sailor, a jeweller, an hotel keeper, a farmer, and stoker of a steamboat. About 1842 he returned to Germany and published his travels. During 1819, 1850, 1851, and 1852 he travelled through Rio Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, California, and Australia, and his subsequent narratives of travel became very popular, being translated into several languages. author also of a story founded on life in Java, translated into English, and published in 1860 under the title of "A Wife to Order."

He is the

GERVINUS, GEORGE GODFREY, & German historian and philosopher, was born at Darmstadt, the 20th May, 1805. He was destined for commerce, and for some time acted as cashier to a firm in his native town. But his inclinations were towards literature, and in 1826 he went to study at Heidelberg. He was Professor of Gernian Literature at the University of Gittingen, from which he was dismissed on account of his liberal politics, when

GESNER-GIBRALTAR.

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Ernest, late Duke of Cumberland, | sources of Nova Scotia." The "Minecame to the throne of Hanover. Ger- ralogy and Geology of Nova Scotia' vinus was well received at Heidelberg, was the guide-book of Sir Charles where he continued his useful career, Lyell in his geological survey of Nova and joined the constitutional party of Scotia; and after the most thorough Baden. In 1834 the great body of examination was pronounced by him German princes made a new treaty at to be exceedingly correct. Dr. Gesner Vienna, which when it came to light is also a distinguished chemist, and was considered a shameful act of trea- is the discoverer of the keroseal gas, son against the people, and drew forth which is obtained from a species of the open opposition of the whole con- bituminous asphaltum, found in some stitutional party. In 1848 Gervinus of the West-India islands, and also in was a trusted counsellor of the more New Brunswick. For this gas Dr. active members of the party led by Gesner obtained a patent, and has the Baron Gagern; he has, however, since partially succeeded in bringing since 1851, despaired of any reforma- it into use. tion of Germany under its present rulers, and professes republican convictions. Gervinus is better known in England as a writer than as a poliHis earliest work was "A Glance at the History of the AngloSaxons" (1830), and his more recent works, a study on 66 Shakspeare' (2nd edit., Leipsic, 1849-50), and a "History of German Poetry" (5 vols., Leipsic, 1853). In the interval he has written several important works on the history of literature. In 1853 he was prosecuted and imprisoned for some opinions contained in his historical writings, and his imprisonment created a deep and wide sensation on the Continent.

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GHIKA, ALEXANDER, or GHIKA IX., born in 1795, was elected Hospodar of Wallachia early in the year 1834, and by his establishment of schools and other liberal measures, became very popular. Being opposed partly by the Boyards, partly by the Liberals in the Assembly, he appealed for assistance to Russia. That Govern

GESNER, ABRAHAM, M.D., a distinguished geologist, is a native of Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. His father, Colonel C. Gesner, was one of those loyalists who repaired thither immediately after the declaration of American independence. Dr. Gesner, at an early period of his life, displayed great ardour in the study of several branches of natural science, especially in mineralogy and geology; and having acquired considerable reputa- GIBRALTAR,* THE RIGHT REV. tion therein, he was appointed by the WALTER JOHN TROWER, D.D., BISHOP various legislatures of the lower pro- or, was born about the year 1805, and vinces of British North America to was educated at Eton and Ch. Ch., explore and report on the geological Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in resources of those territories. He is 1826 in high classical and mathethe author of several works, the chief matical honours, and was subsequently of which are his treatises "On the elected Fellow of Oriel College. He Mineralogy and Geology of Nova was ordained in 1829, and held the Scotia," and "On the Industrial Re-living of St. Giles'-in-the-Fields, Lon

ment, however, in helping Ghika out of his difficulties, put a stop to all his Liberal designs. In 1841 he became the object of the bitter hatred of the Government of Russia, in consequence of his prosecution of the insurrectionists of Ibraila, with whom the Russian consul at Galatz had been implicated, and he was superseded in his office by Georges Bibesco, on which he went to Vienna, where he stayed till 1853. In 1856 he once more became Hospodar, but somewhat disappointed more ardent friends of Roman nationality by his timidity and lack of energy. The events of 1859 terminated his power in the nomination of Prince Alexander Couza to the thrones of Moldavia and Wallachia.

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don, for some years prior to 1839, | years in that metropolis of art. when he was preferred to the rectory of Wiston, Sussex, which he held till his consecration in 1848 to the bishopric of Glasgow. He acted as subdean of Exeter for some years, and was translated to Gibraltar in 1864. He is the author of works on the Epistles and Gospels for the various Sundays in the year. His diocese includes Malta and other English possessions in the Mediterranean, and his income consists of an allowance of £1,200 a year from the Colonial Bishopric Fund.

GIBSON, JOHN, R.A., a celebrated sculptor, is the son of a marketgardener at Conway, in North Wales, where he was born in 1791. His father removed to Liverpool when his son was about nine years old, with a view of emigrating to America, but was led by circumstances to change his intention and to settle in Liverpool. As a child, John Gibson had shown an instinctive fancy for drawing, and at an early age was in the habit of sketching pictures of such domestic animals as he saw around him. A new world opened upon him at Liverpool, and he tried his youthful hand with success in reproducing upon paper the pictures that he saw in the shop windows. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, and subsequently to a carver in wood. About two years later he was relieved from this irksome business by Messrs. Francis, who, detecting his artistic talents, purchased the remainder of his time, and gave the youthful sculptor every encouragement. One of the partners in the firm introduced him to the late William Roscoe, who frequently invited him to his country seat, and allowed him to copy some of the choice specimens of ancient art in his gallery. The friends of Mr. Roscoe, remarking the great promise of future excellence which young Gibson displayed, subscribed a sum of money for the purpose of defraying the expense of his journey to Rome, and of a residence of two

Gibson left England for Rome in 1817, and carried with him an introduction from Flaxman to Canova, then in the height of his fame, who received him with the greatest cor. diality. Gibson entered his studio, and soon earned the reputation of being one of his most able and industrious pupils. Setting up on his own account in 1821, he produced his first important work, a group of "Mars and Cupid," which was much praised by Canova, and was reproduced in marble by the order of the duke of Devonshire. This group now occupies a prominent position in the collection at Chatsworth. His next production was "Psyche and the Zephyrs," for the late Sir G. Beaumont; copies of this group were executed for Prince Torlonia and the grand-duke of Russia. After the death of Canova, Gibson did not disdain again to become a learner, and accordingly was, for a time, a pupil under Thorwaldsen. Thus, trained under the two master-minds of modern sculpture, he entered on his career with a hand and a mind more thoroughly disciplined than perhaps any other English sculptor, yet with out losing anything of his originality or individual character. Mr. Gibson was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1833, and became R.A. in 1836. He has, however, been but a fitful contributor to the annual exhibitions of the Academy of which he is so distinguished a member. With the exception of short visits made at intervals to this country, Mr. Gibson has resided almost entirely at Rome, since his first visit to that city in 1817. There his studio is the resort of the patrons, practitioners, and lovers of art, and no one is more ready than himself to extend the hand of friendly assistance to young students on their first arrival in that great metropolis of art. It would be impossible, in our limited space, to give a perfect list of Mr. Gibson's works of a classic and ideal character. His principal works in portrait statues have been one of her Majesty for

GIBSON.

Buckingham Palace, and another destined for the late Prince Consort's Chamber in the palace of Westminster; the colossal statues of the late Right Hon. William Huskisson, M.P., executed for Lloyd's Rooms, London, and for the Cemetery, Liverpool-the latter reproduced in bronze, for the front of the Custom-house in that town; Mrs. Murray, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1816; and George stephenson, in 1851. He has also executed several monumental tablets and bassi-relievi; some of the latter, although very beautiful, are perhaps inferior to his bas-reliefs of classical subjects. It has been objected that, as a monumental sculptor, he insists a draping his figures in ancient and classical costume. Within the last few years Mr. Gibson has lent the weight of his high reputation and example to an innovation which has caused considerable discussion in various quarters,-namely, that of applying colour to marble in sculpture. This he has done in his statue of her Majesty, and in some of his other works-particularly in his exquisite Venus which attracted so much attention at the International Exhibition of 1862, but, as may be supposed, very cautiously, and with the best taste; in the drapery and accessories of his great seated statue of the Queen, the same principle is being carried out more freely. On the question of the propriety of adopting Colour, though defended by Mr. Gibson, by a reference to Greek precedents, we abstain from expressing an opinion. It is only necessary to add, that England is tolerably rich in the works of Gibson, some one or more of which have found a place in every good election. Liverpool is particularly We supplied with specimens of his chisel; and the inhabitants of that city have not been backward in showing their appreciation of his merits, d in regarding him with pride as a ellow-townsman. There is a fine collection of about twenty casts from Gibson's best grouped statues at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham.

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GIBSON, RIGHT HON. THOMAS MILNER-, a politician, born at Trinidad, in 1807, is the only son of the late Major T. Milner-Gibson, of the 27th Regiment. He was educated at the Charterhouse, and graduated B.A. in 1830, as a wrangler, at Trinity Coll., Cambridge. He first entered Parliament in 1837, as Conservative member for Ipswich; but two years later, having changed his opinions, he resigned his seat, and appealed once more to his constituents. He was defeated, and remained for some time out of Parliament, having in the interim contested the borough of Cambridge without success. During the interval of his parliamentary career he threw himself heart and soul into the great movement which had for its object the abolition of duty on corn, and became one of the most successful orators of the League. In 1841 he was invited to stand for Manchester, and after a close contest with Sir George Murray was returned for that important constituency. In 1846, at the conclusion of the Anti-Corn-law agitation, when Lord John Russell had taken office, and declared that his general policy was to carry out to their natural consequences the principles of free trade embodied in Sir Robert Peel's recent legislation, the minister thought to strengthen his government by incorporating with it some of the leading members of the League, and the great skill, business habits, and persevering character of Mr. Gibson marked him for selection. Accordingly, he became Vice-President of the Board of Trade, and a Privy Councillor; and held that office until it was thought that his connection with the government might embarrass him in his relations with his constituents. In 1848 he resigned his official position, and identified himself so completely with the "Peace party" during our struggle with Russia, that when a general election occurred in 1857, the constituency of Manchester declined to reelect him. He was, however, shortly returned for Ashton

afterwards

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of Lord Dufferin (whom see).

under-Lyne, which he still represents. | the "Annuals" and to periodical In 1859 he was appointed President literature. Her ladyship is mother of the Board of Trade, with a seat in the Cabinet. In several successive years Mr. Milner Gibson took an active part in urging upon Parliament, and in other ways promoting, the repeal of what have been designated the "Taxes on Knowledge," viz., the newspaper stamp, the advertisement duty, and the excise on paper; and his public services in this respect were recognized by the presentation of a testimonial to him in 1861.

GIBSON,*

WILLIAM SIDNEY, F.S.A., Archæologist, was born at Fulham about the year 1815. He was privately educated, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1845. In 1842 he was appointed a Registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy, and has acted ever since in that capacity in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne district. He is the author of "The History of Tynemouth," and of "An Historical Memoir on Northumberland," and other historical works, and of "Lectures and Essays on various Subjects." Mr. Gibson is also a Fellow of the Geological Society, Hon. Member of the Académie des Arts, Sciences, et Belles-Lettres de Dijon, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen, and is one of the Committee of the Architectural and Archæological Society of Durham. In the year 1857 the University of Durham conferred on him the hon. degree of M.A., 66 as an acknowledgment of his good service in the cause of literature and liberal pursuits."

GIFFORD, LADY, Selina, eldest daughter of the late Thomas Sheridan, Esq., and sister of the Duchess of Somerset and of the Hon. Mrs. Norton, was born in 1807. In 1825 she became the wife of Captain the Hon. Price Blackwood, who afterwards became Lord Dufferin, and died in 1841. Her ladyship is well known in the fashionable world for her wit and beauty, and like her sister, Mrs. Norton, has courted the Muse success

fully, having been a contributor to

GILBERT,* JOHN, was born at Blackheath, Kent, in 1817. At an early age he made great exertions to enter the Academy Schools as a student, but failed, in spite of the encouragement of Sir W. Beechy; he was therefore thrown upon his own resources, until eventually he found a friend and instructor in Mr. G. Lance. About the year 1836 he exhibited & water-colour picture at the Suffolk Street Gallery; in 1838 a "Portrait" at the Academy; and in 1841 “Holbein painting the Portrait of Anne Boleyn," and "Don Quixote giving Advice to Sancho Panza." In 1842 he followed this up by another painting from Don Quixote, and "A Scene from Tristram Shandy," and in 183 "The Education of Gil Blas." Soon after this date he quitted the ground of Spanish romance, and for some years drew his subjects from English history,-"The Murder of Thomas Becket," "The Death of Cardinal Beaufort," &c. In 1852 he exhibited at the British Institution "Peace" and "War," the former illustrating "A Drawing-room at St. James's," the latter, "The Charge of Cavaliers at Naseby." In 1853 he was chosen a Member of the Society of WaterColour Painters. Mr. Gilbert is very widely known as a wood-draftsman: he has contributed largely in this way to the Illustrated London News, and his name is associated with nearly all the best modern illustrated editions of British authors.

GILBERT, JOHN GRAHAM, is a native of Glasgow, and was born in 1794. He became a student of the Royal Academy of Edinburgh when somewhat past the usual age, obtained the gold medal, and subsequent y visited Italy to complete his artistic education by the study of the old masters. Returning to his native country, he took to portrait-painting, in which he has risen to acknowledged eminence. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the Royal Academy of Scotland.

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