Olga

Olga, a Russian princess and saint of the Greek church, died in 969. She was the wife of Igor, grand duke of Kiev, the son of Rurik. Her husband fell in battle in 945, and she was regent for ten years during the minority of her son Sviatoslav. She became a Christian, and was baptized at Constantinople in 957 under the name of Helen, though her son remained a pagan. After her death she was canonized in the Greek church. Her festival is July 11 (23).

Olibnum

See Frankincense.

Olinthus Gilbert Gregory

Olinthus Gilbert Gregory, an English mathematician, born in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, Jan. 29, 1774, died in Woolwich, Feb. 2, 1841. He wrote a treatise on the "Use of the Sliding Rule," a " Treatise on Astronomy," and in 1802, in connection with Dr. John Mason Good, undertook to edit the "Pantalogia," a cyclo-pa3dia of the arts and sciences. He was appointed a mathematical master at the royal military academy at Woolwich, and in 1806 was raised to the professor's chair, which he held till June, 1838. His principal works are a "Treatise on Astronomy," a "Treatise on Mechanics," the " Evidences of Christianity," and " Memoirs " of the Rev. Robert Hall and Dr. John Mason Good.

Olivier Basselin

Olivier Basselin, a French poet, born at Val-de-Vire, Normandy, died about 1418. He was a fuller, and became famous for his drinking songs, which were first called Vaux-de-Vire from the place of their origin, whence the French word vaudeville. Jean le Houx had them printed about 1576, and the most recent edition is by Julien Travers (Avranches, 1833).

Olla Podrida

Olla Podrida (Span., putrid mess), a Spanish national dish, consisting of several kinds of meat cut up into small pieces, and stewed with a variety of vegetables. The dish is a great favorite with the poor, and is kept so long that its odor and flavor become highly offensive. It is commonly used, like pot pourri, metaphorically to denote a medley.

Olmsted

Olmsted, a S. E. county of Minnesota, drained by the Zumbro and Root rivers and other streams; area, 720 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 19,793. The surface is uneven and the soil productive. It is traversed by the Winona and St. Peter railroad. The chief productions in 1870 were 2,117,074 bushels of wheat, 340,223 of Indian corn, 996,364 of oats, 114,-056 of barley, 126,668 of potatoes, 18,082 lbs. of wool, 20,700 of hops, 654,455 of butter, and 31,319 tons of hay. There were 7,576 horses, 6,496 milch cows, 9,463 other cattle, 4,918 sheep, and 7,298 swine; 2 manufactories of boots and shoes, 6 of carriages and wagons, 3 of cooperage, 1 of iron castings, 1 of curried leather, 1 of engines and boilers, 5 of saddlery and harness, 1 of sash and blinds, 3 of tin, copper, and sheet-iron ware, 3 breweries, 3 flour mills, and 3 saw mills. Capital, Rochester.

Olykthus

Olykthus (now Aio Mamas), an ancient town of Macedonia, in Chalcidice, at the head of the Toronaic gulf. It was early inhabited by Greeks, was taken by the Persians under Artabazus, was next subject to Athens, and regained its independence when the Spartan general Brasidas extinguished the Athenian power in Chalcidice (424 13. C). From its excellent maritime position, it grew in wealth and importance, until, when it had become too powerful, the Spartans captured it in 379. In 352 the Olynthians formed an alliance with the Athenians, and in 347 the city was betrayed to Philip of Macedon, the citizens were sold, and every building was demolished.