ABERCROMBIE

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ABRAHAM

retreat to Héloïse, and when he died, in 1142, she had him buried there. At her death she was interred by his side. In 1800 their remains were removed to Paris, where they now rest in the cemetery of Pére-la-Chaise, A figure of Abelard reclines on the tomb, and by its side stands a statue of Héloïse.

Abercrombie (ab'er-krum-bt), James (born 1706, died 1781), a British general who took part in the French and Indian war. In 1758 he was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces in America. He attacked Ticonderoga at the head of 15,000 men, but was defeated by Montcalm (July 8, 1758). He returned to England, where he became a member of parliament and governor of Stirling Castle.

Aberdeen (ăb-er-dēn'), the principal city of northern Scotland, receives its name from two Gaelic words meaning "at the mouth of the Dee," where it is situated, about 100 miles northeast of Edinburgh. Its charter dates from 1179. It was burned by the English in 1336, and after its restoration called New Aberdeen. It has large factories of cotton, woolen and linen fabrics, exports granite extensively, and is engaged in whale fisheries and in shipbuilding. It is the seat of the University of Aberdeen. Population (1906), 171,022.

Aberdeen, Earl of (Rt. Hon. J. C. Hamilton-Gordon, P.C., G.C.M.G.), a Scottish Liberal peer, was born Aug. 3, 1847, and educated at St. Andrews and at Oxford. He succeeded to the title in 1870. In 1886 he was appointed by Mr. Gladstone Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, with the mission of carrying out the Home Rule policy of the then Liberal government. This office he held but a few months, though he was very acceptable to the Irish people; but with the fall of the Gladstone administration he resigned the post, and subsequently made a tour of the world, visiting the chief British colonies. From 1893 to 1898 he acted as Governor-General of Canada, and later he was Viceroy of Ireland.

Abitibi (a'bḗ-íib'ḗ). Two important lakes and a river of the same name in northeastern Ontario (Canada). The upper Abitibi Lake (connected with the lower by a "Narrows" about two miles in length) covers an area of about 190 square miles, one-third of this area being in the Province of Quebec. One-half of the shore line is rocky. Innumerable islands of all shapes and sizes dot the lake, giving it a natural beauty equal to that of the St. Lawrence River. The lower lake has an area of 145 square miles. The Abitibi River discharges the waters of these two lakes, emptying with other streams into the Moose River, which a short distance further on empties into James' Bay.

Abolition of Slavery. See Slavery.

Aborigines. See Indians.

Aboukir. See Nile, Battle of.

Abraham, the head of the Hebrew nation, was born at Ur, in Chaldæa, about 2000 B. C. He left his people, who were idolaters, to worship the one God, and dwelt in Palestine, leading the life of an Arab chief. His original name, Abram, was changed to Abraham, meaning "father of a great nation." He died near Hebron, aged 175 years, and is noted for his faith in God, being called the " Father of the Faithful."

Abraham, Plains of. A level tract of land about one mile in width immediately west of the city of Quebec, named after Abraham Martin, who at one time owned it. The scene of the memorable battle, which wrested from the Frehch their supremacy in North America.

The British troops had been besieging the city for some time without success. Autumn was approaching and the admiral in command of the fleet refused to remain longer. Wolfe, the young general in command of the army, resolved on one last desperate venture. Embarking all his available troops on the vessels of the fleet he moved up the St. Lawrence some miles beyond the city. The French were bewildered by the ever-changing tactics of their opponents, and when, on the night of the 12th of September (1759), the British army dropped down the river in boats and scaled its precipitous bank, there was only a small guard at the top to offer ineffectual opposition. Daybreak found Wolfe's army drawn up in battle array on the plains. The gallant French general, Montcalm, immediately marched from the city with all his available troops and impetuously attacked the British forces. The thin red line of British troops held their fire until the French were within 40 paces and then shattered their ranks with two accurately delivered volleys. The French ranks broke and fled, and Wolfe lived long enough to know that his desperate attempt had been entirely successful. Montcalm died a few hours later. The British loss was some fifty killed and five hundred and ninety-seven wounded, while that of the French was about one thousand five hundred, including two hundred and fifty prisoners.

On the 17th of the same month the city surrendered and (save Montreal) Canada was in the hands of the British. The following spring the Frerçch force marched from Montreal over well-nigh impassable roads, and a second and bloodier battle was fought on the plains, resulting in the British force being repulsed and driven within the walls. The timely arrival of some British frigates, however, caused the siege to be raised, and Quebec and all Canada then became part of the British possessions.

The celebration of the coming of the great voyager Champlain to Quebec was