Summary
This is not a book by Wilhelm Ostwald. The provided passages are from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, specifically its first volume. The central argument of this reference work is to present concise, authoritative summaries of a vast range of topics, from legal doctrines to ancient poetry. The entries are structured to define terms, provide historical context, and cite key sources. For example, the entry on "Abandonment" explains its legal meaning as "the relinquishment of an interest, claim, privilege or possession," detailing its application in actions at law. The entry on "Ablative" defines the grammatical case as fundamentally expressing "direction from," and notes its extended uses in Latin for instrument, agent, place, and time. A reader takes away a snapshot of early 20th-century scholarship on each subject, complete with cross-references and bibliographic notes, such as the mention of W. Ahlwardt's work on ancient Arabic poets.
Key concepts
- Abandonment (legal) — The relinquishment of an interest, claim, privilege, or possession, with varying significations across different branches of law.
- Ablative case — A grammatical case whose fundamental sense is "direction from," extended in Latin to denote instrument, agent, place, time, and manner.
- Ablative Absolute — A Latin grammatical construction consisting of a noun in the ablative case with a participle or attribute, not depending on any other part of the sentence, to express time, occasion, or circumstance.
- Conciliator differentiarum — A work by Pietro d'Abano that expounds and advocates the medical and philosophical systems of Averroes and other Arabian writers.
- Alabama claims — A dispute where British commissioners suggested arbitration, but American commissioners refused unless the governing principles for the arbitrators were first agreed upon.
From the book
For other versions of this work, see Encyclopædia Britannica . ← 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica ( 1911 ) Title page → related portals : Reference Works Shortcut : EB11 or EB1911 Notes on reading the Wikisource edition . A special disclaimer for this project . Collaboration page for contributors . 12543 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica 1911 Table of contents This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1931. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works . Public domain Public domain false false← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on…
He is commonly known as Rab.← Abbadie, Jakob 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Abbahu Abba Mari → See also Abbahu on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 12925 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Abbahu ʼABBAHU, the name of a Palestinian ʼamora ( q.v. ) who flourished c . 279–320. ʼAbbahu encouraged the study of Greek by Jews. He was famous as a collector of traditional lore, and is very often cited in the Talmud.
He was author of Quaestiones ( Sheiltoth ), a collection of homilies (at once learned and popular) on Jewish law and ethics. This is recorded to have been the first work written by a Jewish scholar after the completion of the Talmud.← Alphabet 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Al-phasi, Isaac Alphege, Saint → See also Isaac Alfasi on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 1202415 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Al-phasi, Isaac ’AL-PHASI, ISAAC (1013–1103), Jewish rabbi and codifier, known as Riph , was born near Fez in 1013 and died at Lucena in 1103. ’Al-Phasi means the “man of Fez” (medieval Jews were often named after their birthplaces). He was forced to leave Fez when an old man of 75, being accused on some unknown political charge. He then…
Popular questions readers ask
- Why was Britain's proclamation of neutrality, recognizing the Confederates as belligerents, so significant in the context of the American Civil War, and how might it have influenced the United States' perception of Britain's role?
- Explain the legal and diplomatic challenges presented to the British government by the construction of the "Alabama" in Birkenhead, considering the concept of neutrality. How did the official advice and subsequent actions (or inactions) reflect the complexities of enforcing international law at the time?
- The text states the "Alabama" Arbitration is a "conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war." Unpack this statement. What specific elements of this case made arbitration valuable in preventing further conflict, and what might have been the alternative outcomes without it?
- Consider the various economic and political motivations that might have driven Britain's initial stance of neutrality and the delay in detaining vessels like the "Alabama." How did these motivations potentially conflict with its stated policy and international obligations?
- If you were explaining the core dispute regarding neutrality and state responsibility in the "Alabama" Arbitration to someone unfamiliar with 19th-century international law, how would you simplify it and what analogy might you use to make it clearly understandable?