ber has not probably varied much in the interim. In Scotland, it may be 3,500,000; in Ireland, it is probably under 2,000,000; so that the total number in Great Britain and Ireland may be taken at about 32,000,000. In the U. States, the first Merinos were imported (about 300 in number) in the year 1810, by general Humphreys, American minister in Portugal, and the consul, Mr. Jarvis. General Derby, of Salem, imported as many more; and, in 1825, a great number of Saxonsheep were brought into the country. These contributed to improve the American breed. But the American wool is far from competing with the Spanish or German, for which many reasons may be given, among others, that the high price of labor prevents the existence of a particular class of shepherds. The most improved flocks in the U. States are to be found in Vermont and New York. According to calculations as accurate as they could well be made, there are 20,000,000 sheep, of all kinds, in the U. States. The successful introduction of the Merino at the cape of Good Hope, New South Wales, &c., has proved that it will thrive wherever it receives proper care. In hot climates, however, particular attention is required to prevent the wool from degenerating. The sheep must not be exposed too much to the sun, nor to the dew. (For more information respecting this interesting subject, see Wool.)

SHEER; the longitudinal curve of a

ship's decks or sides.

SHEET; a rope fastened to one or both the lower corners of a sail, to extend and retain it in a particular situation.

SHEFFIELD, John, duke of Buckingham, a nobleman of some note as a wit and a statesman, born in 1649, was the son of the earl of Mulgrave, to whose title he succeeded in 1658. At the age of seventeen, he engaged as a volunteer in the first Dutch war. On his return, by the union of wit and spirit so agreeable to Charles II, he became a great favorite at court. On the accession of James II, he was made lord chamberlain; and his attachment to that sovereign induced him to take a seat in the ecclesiastical commission, and practise other compliances, though he opposed many of the counsels which brought ruin on his master. At the revolution, he took the part of an anticourtier, but, in 1694, became member of the cabinet. On the accession of Anne, to whom he is said once to have been a suitor, he was advanced to the dukedom of Buckingham; but jealousy of the duke

of Marlborough drove him from office until the change of 1710, when he was made first steward of the household, and then president of the council under the administration of Harley. After the death of Anne, he employed his time chiefly in literary pursuits, until his death in 1720. His literary fame was mainly assisted by his rank and influence in his own day. In his Essay on Satire, he was supposed to have been assisted by Dryden; and few of his other pieces merit attention. His widow published a splendid edition of his works in 1723, in two volumes quarto; the first of which contained his poems upon various subjects, and the latter his historical memoirs, character, speeches and essays.

SHEFFIELD; a large manufacturing town of England, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, at the confluence of the rivers Sheaf and Don: over the latter is a stone bridge of five arches, and over the former another, of one arch. The streets are regular, the houses well built, mostly of brick, but the smoke of the manufactories tends to give the town a sombre appearance. The public buildings are not remarkable for beauty. The principal are the four churches belonging to the establishment, the town-hall, cutlers'-hall, the general infirmary, the assembly-room, the music-hall, and the theatre. The town contains, besides, seven meeting-houses for Dissenters. Sheffield has been long noted for its manufactures of hardware, which comprise two great divisions, viz. those of cutlery and plated goods. The latter manufactures are wholly confined within the town; but those of cutlery goods are also carried on in all the villages and hamlets in the neighborhood, to the distance of seven miles. Besides these manufactures, there are in the town and its vicinity several extensive founderies for iron. For several centuries, its trade was inconsiderable, consisting almost entirely of sheath-knives, scissors, sickles and scythes; but since 1750, the town has advanced rapidly in population and wealth. The origin of Sheffield is unknown: it was formerly distinguished for its castle, supposed to have been built during the reign of Henry III. population, in 1821, was 42,157. In 1831, it was, including the parish, 90,657; 36 miles south of Leeds, and 162 northwest of London.

The

SHEHERAZADE. (See Arabian Nights.) SHEIK, OF SCHEIKH (Arabic); that is to say, the elder or eldest. The chiefs of the Arabic tribes or hordes are called by this

name. They are extremely proud of their long line of noble ancestors, especially the leaders of the Bedouins. Some of them also take the title of emir, without belonging to the race of Mohammed. The prince of Mecca is styled "sheik of Mecca," and calls himself a legitimate descendant of Mohammed, and demands presents from the caravans. The Mohammedans also call the heads of their monasteries sheiks, and the Turkish mufti is sometimes called sheik ulislam (chief of the true believers).

SHELBURNE. (See Lansdowne.) SHELBY, Isaac, a distinguished American revolutionary officer, was born Dec. 11, 1750, near Hagers Town, Maryland. He received a common English education in Frederictown, and acted as a deputy sheriff in Frederic county previous to his becoming of age. He removed with his father to the western waters when twenty-one years old. In 1774, he was appointed a lieutenant in the expedition under Lewis, against the Shawanees and other Indian tribes north-west of the Ohio. In 1775, he went to Kentucky, and engaged in the business of a land surveyor. After nearly a twelve months' exposure in the cane-brakes, living without bread or salt, his health beginning to fail, he returned home. In 1776, and before his return from Kentucky, the committee of safety in Virginia appointed hum captain of a minute company-a species of troops organized upon the first breaking out of the revolution-but not called into service from the extreme frontier on which he lived. In 1777, he was appointed by the governor of Virginia a commissary to supply rations for the militia posted in several garrisons to guard the back settlements, and to lay in supplies for a grand treaty, to be held at the Long Island of Holston river, with the Cherokees. These supplies were not to be obtained nearer than Staunton in Virginia, a distance of 300 miles; and to accomplish it, required the exertion of all the energy, enterprise and perseverance which marked his character. In 1778, he was still engaged in the commissary department to provide supplies for the continental army, and for a formidable expedition by the way of Pittsburg against the northwestern Indians. In 1779, he was appointed by governor Henry to furnish supplies for a campaign against the Chickamoggy Indians-a numerous banditti on the south side of the Tennessee river, under the control of a daring Cherokee chief, called Draggon Canoe, who, after his

defeat at the Long Island of Holston, in 1776, had declared eternal war against the whites, The frontiers from Georgia to Pennsyl vania suffered from their depredations more than from all the other hostile tribes together. Owing to the poverty of the treasury, the government was unable to advance the necessary funds, and the whole expense of the supplies, including transportation, was sustained by his individual credit. In the spring of the same year, he was elected a member of the Virginia legislature from Washington county; and, in the autumn, was commissioned by governor Jefferson as a major in the escort of guards to the commissioners for extending the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina. After the surrender of Charleston, and the loss of the southern army in 1780, he devoted himself to the military service of hiss country, and, throughout the residue of the revolutionary struggle, was actively engaged in fighting her battles in the south. For his conduct in the battle of King's mountain, October 7, 1760, be received a vote of thanks and an elegant sword, from the legislature of North Carolina. In 1781, he was chosen a member of that body, and the following year was reelected. He was also appointed one of the commissioners to settle the preemp tion claims on the Cumberland river, and lay off the lands allotted to the officers and soldiers of the North Carolina fior, south of where Nashville now stands. This service he performed in the winter of 1782-3. After the separation be tween Virginia and Kentucky, and the formation of a constitution for the latter state, by a convention, of which colonel Shelby was a member, he was chosen governor of Kentucky, in 1792 From 1796, after the expiration of his term of office, until 1812, he lived in retirement, discharging no public duty whatever, except that of elector for president and vice-president, to which he was invariably called. In the latter year he was agai chosen governor, and during the war was zealous in his exertions to aid the common cause. In 1813, he marched at the head of 4000 men across the state of Ohio, to the frontier, where general Harrison commanded the American forces. In 1816, he returned to private life, and, in 1818, acted as a commissioner, m conjunction with general Jackson, in forming a treaty with the Chickasaw Indians in 1820, he experienced a paralytic stroke, which rendered his right arm useim and occasioned a slight laneness during

SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe, eldest son of sir Timothy Shelley, Sussex, was born at Field-place, in that county, August 4, 1792. He was sent to Eton, whence he was early removed to Oxford. This removal was owing to his eccentricity of character, which led him to neglect the studies and violate the rules of the school, and finally resulted in his expulsion from Oxford. His family, naturally offended with his conduct, and not less with his free opinions on matters of religion, was still further estranged by an ill-assorted marrage. The result was very unfortunate, for after the birth of two children, a separation took place by mutual consent; and the death of the lady soon after exposed him to much obloquy. On the decease of his first wife, he married Miss Godwin, daughter of the celebrated author of Political Justice, by Mary Wolstonecraft, and soon after retired to Marlow, in Buckinghamshire, where he wrote his Revolt of Islam. About this time, application was made by his family to deprive him of the guardianship of his two children, a boy and a girl, on the ground of his atheistical and sceptical notions, and certain dangerous opinions respecting the intercourse of the sexes. The application succeeded, principally owing to a juvenile production, called Queen Mab, written while at Oxford, and published without the consent of the author. This event caused him much uneasiness, and probably induced him to quit England, and repair, with his second wife and their children, to Italy, where he renewed an acquaintance with lord Byron, to whom he had become known during a former visit to the continent. With him and Leigh Hunt, Shelley joined in a periodical miscellany, pubished in London, entitled The Liberal. This publication, which contained the Vision of Judgment, by lord Byron, and other original productions, was interrupted by the untimely death of Mr. Shelley, who was drowned in his return from Leghorn to his house, on the gulf of Lerici, in the bay of Spezia, by the wreck of his sailing boat, in a sudden storm, July, 1822. A few days afterwards, the body was washed on shore near Via Reggio,

and was subsequently reduced to ashes by his friends. Shelley's remains were deposited in the Protestant burial-ground at Rome. At the time of his decease, Mr. Shelley had nearly completed his thirtieth year. His principal works are The Revolt of Islam; Alastor, or the Spirit of Solitude; The Cenci, a tragedy (see Cenci, Beatrice); Adonais; Hellas; Prometheus Unbound; and a posthumous volume of poems.

SHELL-LAC. (See Coccus, end of the article.)

SHEM; one of the patriarchs, eldest son of Noah, is said in Scripture to have died at the age of 600 years. The Hebrews traced their origin to Shem, through Abraham, who was the eighth in descent from him.

SHEMITISH LANGUAGES. (See Semitic Languages.)

SHENANDOAH; a river of Virginia, which flows into the Potomac, after a separate course of about 200 miles, just before the Potomac bursts through the Blue Ridge. It waters a fertile country, and has good boat navigation for 100 miles.

SHENSTONE, William, was born at Hales Owen, in Shropshire, in 1714. His father was a gentleman farmer, who cultivated a moderate estate, called the Leasowes, which were rendered celebrated by the taste of his son. The latter was educated at Oxford, and entertained thoughts of taking his academical degrees, and proceeding to the study of some profession, but was seduced, by obtaining possession of his paternal property, to relinquish all views of an active life, and occupied himself with rural embellishments, and the cultivation of poetry. In 1737, he printed a volume of juvenile poems, which obtained little notice; and, in 1740, the Judginent of Hercules. In the following year appeared his School-mistress, the best of his poems. His great object, to render the Leasowes famous for picturesque beauty and elegance, led to expenses which he could but ill support, and he was by no means a happy inhabitant of the Eden which he had created. He died in February, 1763, in his fiftieth year. works were collected in three volumes, octavo. The first consists of elegies, odes, songs and ballads, levities, or pieces of humor, and moral pieces; the second contains his prose works; and the third, Letters to his Friends. As a poet, he is elegant, melodious, tender, and correct in sentiment, and often pleasing and natural in description, but rather feeble. The

His

and he turned his attention to dramatic composition. His first production, the Rivals, was acted at Covent garden in 1775, with moderate success; but the Duenna, a musical entertainment, which followed, was received with general adiniration; and his School for Scandal gained him the highest reputation as a comic writer. On the retirement of Garrick from the management of Drury lane theatre, Sheridan, in conjunction with doctor Forde and Mr. Linley, purchased Garrick's share of the patent. This property qualified him for a seat in parliament; and, in 1780, he was chosen member for the borough of Stafford. Lord North was then minister, and Sheridan, joining the opposition, displayed so much ability, that, on the retreat of the premier, and the conclusion of the American war, he was made under secretary of state for the war departinent. He resigned, with his principal, in consequence of a dispute with lord Shelburne, afterwards marquis of Lansdowne, who was at the head of the ministry. His intimate connexion with Fox brought him again into office on the coalition of that statesman with lord North, when Sheridan held the post of joint secretary of the treasury under the duke of Portland. The dissolution of that ministry threw him again into the ranks of opposition, where he remained during the whole period of the political ascendency of Mr. Pitt. He now attained distinguished celebrity as a parliamentary orator, and his talents were particularly exhibited in his opposition to the extension of the revenue laws, and on the subject of the Westminster election; but the grandest display of his eloquence occurred during the progress of the impeachment of Warren Hastings. In 1792, Mr. Sheridan lost his wife, who left one son; and, three years afterwards, he married Miss Ogle, daughter of the dean of Winchester. With this lady he had a considerable fortune, which enabled him to purchase the estate of Polesdon, in Surrey; and, as he held the office of receiver-general of the duchy of Cornwall, worth £1200 a year, and retained his interest in Drury lane theatre, he seemed to be placed beyond the reach of pecuniary distress. The political changes consequent on the death of Mr. Pitt, in 1806, occasioned the exaltation of the party with which Sheridan was connected, and he obtained the lucrative post of treasurer of the navy, and the rank of a privy counsellor. This administration being weakened by the loss

of Mr. Fox, who survived his celebrated rival only a few months, new alterations took place, and Sheridan was deprived of office, to which he never returned. At the general election in 1806, he obtained a seat for Westminster, the great object of his ambition; but he was afterwards nominated for the borough of Ilchester, which he continued to represent during the remainder of his parliamentary career. The latter part of the life of this highlytalented individual was imbittered by misfortunes, principally arising from his own indolence and mismanagement, though the destruction of Drury lane theatre by fire contributed to increase his difficulties. When the affairs of that establishment were arranged, in 1811, Mr. Sheridan and his son were to have £40,000 for their share of the property; but the portion of the former was not sufficient to liquidate the debts and reserved claims to which it was liable. The dissolution of parliament, and his failure in an attempt to obtain a seat for Stafford, the borough he had formerly represented, completed his ruin. In the latter part of 1812, he had relinquished all thoughts of returning to the house of commons; and the remainder of his existence was spent in attempts to ward off the dangers to which his improvidence had exposed him. At length every resource failed, and the disappearance of his property was followed by the arrest of his person. After a few days' detention, he was released, but only to experience fresh apprehension and alarm, from which he sought a temporary relief in that unrestrained indulgence and dissipation which had occasioned his misfortunes. Intemperance had undermined his constitution, and mental anxiety completed the destruction of his health. Even on the bed of sickness he was not exempted from the terrors of being arrested for debt. His death took place July 7, 1816. Besides the plays already mentioned, Mr. Sheridan was the author of St. Patrick's Day, or the Scheming Lieutenant, a farce; a Trip to Scarborough, a comedy, altered from Vanbrugh; the Camp, a farce; the Critic, or the Tragedy rehearsed; Robinson Crusoe, or Harlequin Friday, a pantomime; and Pizarro, a play, from the German of Kotzebue. He also wrote Verses to the Memory of David Garrick (1779, 4to.); and a Comparative Statement of the two Bills for the better Government of the British Possessions in India (1788, 4to.). As a speaker, he ranks among the most finished and varied of the rhetorical