led triangles, the base is properly that side opposite to the right angle. BASE of a Solid Figure, the lowest side, or that on which it stands. BASE of a Conic Section, a right line in the hyperbola and parabola, arising from the common intersection of the secant plane and the base of the cone. BASE, in Architecture, is used for any body which bears another, but particularly for the lower part of a column and pedestal.-The ancients, in the early times of architecture, used no bases. The Doric columns in the temple of Minerva at Athens have none, but stand immediately upon the floor of the porch. Columns came afterwards to be supported on square pieces called plinths, and after that on pedestals. When we see a column, of whatsoever order, on a pedestal, the base is that part which comes between the top of the pedestal, and the bottom of the shaft of the column; when there is no pedestal, it is the part between the bottom of the column and the plinth: some have included the plinth as a part of the base; but it is properly the piece on which the base stands, as the column stands upon that.-The pedestal also has its base, as well as the column, and the pilaster. The base of columns is differently formed in the different orders; but in general it is composed of certain spires or circles, and was thence in early times called the spire of a column. These circles were in this case supposed to represent the folds of a snake as it lies rolled up; but they are properly the representations of several larger and smaller rings or circles of iron, with which the trunks of trees, which were the ancient columns, were surrounded to prevent their bursting: these were rude and irregular, but the sculptor who imitated them in stone found the way to make them elegant. BASE, in Fortification, the exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which is drawn from the flanked angle of a bastion to the angle opposite to it. BASE, in Gunnery, the least sort of ordnance, the diameter of whose bore is 1 inch, weight 200 pounds, length 4 feet, load 5 pounds, shot 1 pound weight, and diameter 1 inch. BASE, in Chemistry. See BASIS. BASE, in Law. Base estate, such as base tenants have in their hands. Base tenure, the holding by villenage, or other customary services; as distinguished from the higher tenures in capite, or by military service. Base fee, is to hold in fee at the will of the lord, as distinguished from soccage tenure. Base court, any court not of record. BASEDOW, JOHN BERNARD, a celebrated German writer upon ethics and religion. See SUPPLEMENT. BASELLA, CLIMBING NIGHTSHADE. See BoTANY Index. BASEMENT, in Architecture. See ARCHITEC TURE. BASHARIANS, a sect of Mahometans, being a branch or subdivision of the Motazalites. The Basharians are those who maintain the tenets of Bashar Ebn Motamer, a principal man among the Motazalites, who varied, in some points, from the general tenets of the sect, as carrying man's free agency to a great length, and even to the making him independent. BASHAW, a Turkish governor of a province, city, or other district. Basil. A bashaw is made with the solemnity of carrying a Bashaw, flag or banner before him, accompanied with music and songs, by the mirialem, an officer on purpose for the investiture of bashaws. Bashaw, used absolutely, denotes the prime vizier; the rest of the denomination being distinguished by the addition of the province, city, or the like, which they have the command of; as the basha w of Egypt, of Palestine, &c. The bashaws are the emperor's sponges. We find loud complaints among Christians of their avarice and extortion. As they buy their governments, every thing is venal with them. They live in their governments in a style of princely splendour and profusion. When glutted with wealth, the emperor frequently makes them a present of a bowstring, and becomes heir to all their spoils. BASIL, ST, the Great, one of the most learned and eloquent doctors of the church, was born at Casarea, in Cappadocia, about the year 328; and went to finish his studies at Athens, where he contracted a strict friendship with St Gregory Nazianzen. He returned to his native country in 355, where he taught rhetoric. Some time after, he travelled into Syria, Egypt, and Libya, to visit the monasteries of these countries; and the monastic life so much suited his disposition, that upon his return home he resolved to follow it, and he was the first institutor thereof in Pontus and Cappadocia. His reputation became so great, that, upon the death of Eusebius bishop of Cæsarea, in 370, he was chosen his successor. It was with some difficulty that he accepted of this dignity; and no sooner was he raised to it, than the emperor Valens began to persecute him because he refused to embrace the doctrine of the Arians. Being at length let alone, he began to use his utmost endeavours to bring about a reunion betwixt the eastern and western churches, who were then much divided about some points of faith, and in regard to Meletius and Paulinus two bishops of Antiochia. But all his efforts were ineffectual, this dispute not being terminated till nine months after his death. Basil had a share in all the disputes which happened in his time in the east in regard to the doctrine of the church; and died the first of January, 379.There have been several editions of his works in Greek and Latin. The best is that of Father Garnier, printed in Greek and Latin, in three volumes folio. St Basil's style is pure and elegant, his expressions are grand and sublime, and his thoughts noble and full of majesty. Erasmus places him among the greatest orators of antiquity. BASIL, a canton of Switzerland, which joined the confederacy in 1501. It is bounded on the south by the canton of Solothurn; on the north by part of the margravate of Baden Dourlach, and the territory of Rheinfelden; on the east by Frickthal; and on the west by part of Solothurn, the diocese of Basil, and the Sundgare; being upwards of 20 miles in length, and about 18 in breadth. It contains 270 square English miles, and had a population of 49,200 in 1815. It is entirely Protestant. The lower parts of it afford corn and wine, and pasture; but the mountains are barren. Here are many medicinal springs and baths, and the air is wholesome and temperate. Both men and women for the most part wear the French dress; but the language commonly spoken is the High Dutch, though the French is also much used. The government is aristo3 K 2 cratical ; Basil. cratical; and its revenues arise chiefly from secularized abbeys, and imposts on goods carried through the country, to and from France, Italy, and Germany. Besides the military establishment of the city of Basil, there are two provincial regiments, consisting each of ten companies, and a troop of dragoons.-The, places of most note are Basil the capital, Wallenburg, St Jacob, Neue-Haus, &c. BASIL, the capital of the canton of that name, is the largest city in all Switzerland, and contains about 15,000 inhabitants. Its environs are exceedingly beautiful, consisting of a fine level tract of fields and meadows. The city is divided into two parts by the Rhine, over which there is a handsome bridge. It is thought by some to have risen on the ruins of the old Augusta Rauracorum. For its name of Basilia it is indebted to Julian the Apostate, who would have it so called in honour of his mother Basilina. It is fortified with walls, moats, towers, and bastions, and contains several churches, besides the cathedral, which is an old Gothic structure; a commandery of the order of St John, and another of the Teutonic order; a public granary and arsenal; a stately townhouse, in which is an exquisite piece of the sufferings of Christ, by Holbein, and a statue of Munatius Plancus, a Roman general, who about 50 years before Christ, built the ancient city of Augusta Rauracorum; an university which was founded in 1459, and has a curious physic-garden, library, and museum; a gymnasium; a stately palace, belonging to the margrave of Baden-Dourlach; besides a chamber of curiosities, several hospitals, &c. In the arsenal is shown the armour in which Charles the Bald lost his life, with the furniture of his horse, and the kettle-drums and trumpets of his army. On the staircase of the council-house, is a picture of the last judgement, in which, though drawn before the Reformation, popes, cardinals, monks, and priests, are represented in the torments of hell. Over-against the French church, on a long covered wall, is painted the dance of death; where the king of terrors is represented as mixing with all ranks and ages, and complimenting them, in German verses, on their arrival at the grave. St Peter's square, planted with elm and lime trees, makes a pleasant walk; but a spot regularly planted with trees, close by the river, and near the minster, makes still a finer, as commanding a most beautiful and extensive prospect. The celebrated Erasmus died here in 1536, in the 70th year of his age, and was buried in the great church. He left his library and cabinet of rarities to one Amberbach, a learned lawyer of this city, of whose heirs they were purchased by the university. Besides this cabinet, there are several other curious private ones. The clocks of this city go an hour faster than elsewhere, except at Constance; a circumstance which some ascribe to the famous councils held there, when it was thought the best expedient to bring the fathers early to the assembly, for the quicker despatch of business; but others say, that, in Basil, it was owing to an assault being defeated by that means. About 400 years ago, according to the story, the city was threatened with an assault by surprise. The enemy was to begin the attack when the large clock of the tower at one end of the bridge should strike one after midnight. The artist who had the so on. Basil H care of the clock, being informed that this was the expected signal, caused the clock to be altered, and it struck two instead of one; so the enemy, thinking they Basilian. were an hour too late, gave up the attempt: and in commemoration of this deliverance, all the clocks in Basil have ever since struck two at one o'clock, and But this practice is said now to be abolished. They show, by way of confirmation, a head, which is placed near to this patriotic clock, with the face turned to the road by which the enemy was to have entered. This same head lolls out its tongue every minute, in the most insulting manner possible. This was ori ginally a piece of mechanical wit of the famous clockmaker's who saved the town. He framed it in derision of the enemy, whom he had so dexterously deceived. It has been repaired, renewed, and enabled to thrust out its tongue every minute for these four hundred years, by the care of the magistrates, who think so excellent a joke cannot be too often repeated. Trade still flourishes here, especially in silk, ribbons, and wines; and the police is under excellent regulations. Most of the offices are bestowed by lot among well qualified persons. No person, without the city, must wear lace of gold or silver. All young women are prohibited from wearing silks; and the nearest relations only are to be invited to a marriage-feast. For the government of the city there are several councils or colleges, and officers. Of the last, the two burgomasters, and two wardens of trades, are the chief. The great council is composed of the representatives of the several companies of the greater and lesser city. Basil was the see of a bishop till the Reformation; but though there is one that still bears the title, he has now no jurisdiction here, and lives at Porentru, near the Upper Alsace. The two Buxtorffs, father and son, and the famous painter Holbein, were natives of this place. The council held here, in 1431, sat in the vestry of the cathedral. BASIL. See OCYMUM, BOTANY Index. BASIL, among joiners, the sloping edge of a chissel, or of the iron of a plane, to work on soft wood: they usually make the basil 12 degrees, and for hard wood 18; it being remarked, that the more acute the basil is, the better the instrument cuts; and the more obtuse, the stronger, and fitter it is for service. BASILEUS, Barius, a title assumed by the em perors of Constantinople, exclusive of all other princes, to whom they give the title rex, "king." The same quality was afterwards given by them to the kings of Bulgaria, and to Charlemagne, from the successors of which last they endeavoured to wrest it back again. The title basileus has been since assumed by other kings, particularly the kings of England, Ego Edgar totius Anglia basileus confirmavi. Hence also the queen of England was entitled Basilea and Basilissa. BASILIAN MONKS; religious of the order of St Basil. That saint, having retired into a desert, in the province of Pontus, founded a monastery for the convenience of himself and his numerous followers: and for the better regulation of this new society, he drew up in writing the orders and rules he would have them follow. This new order soon spread all over the east; nor was it long before it passed into the west. The rule of St Basil was approved by Pope Liberius, the same year |