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from being rendered openly ridiculous; yet they may still be liable, and likely, to become secretly contemptible.

Id.

If the ministers I have mentioned had pledged themselves-that the character of the Directory had something in it of peculiar candour, integrity, ingenuity, and openness, I should yet be willing to give Id. credit to [this] retraction [of this opinion].

OPELEUSAS, a county and town in the south-west part of Louisiana, North America. Population 5048. The town is sixty miles west of Baton Rouge.

OPERA, n. s. Ital. opera, from the Lat. opera. A species of dramatic representation, defined in the extract from Dryden.

An opera is a poetical tale or fiction, represented by vocal and instrumental musick, adorned with Dryden. scenes, machines, and dancing. You will hear what plays were acted that week, which is the finest song in the opera.

Law.

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An OPERA is a dramatic composition, set to music, and sung on the stage, accompanied with musical instruments, and enriched with magnificent dresses, machinery, and other decorations. See Music and POETRY.

OPERA, ITALIAN. Italy, where music has always been cultivated with most success, was the birth-place of the opera, and thence it has been imported into every country where theatrical amusements are held in esteem. It was not attempted in England until the end of the seventeenth century; and its introduction experienced the opposition of those who then dictated on all subjects connected with literature. They justly ridiculed the monstrous absurdity of regulating the most serious events of tragedy by an orchestra; and even to the comic exhibibitions they objected, on acount of their being performed in a language not generally understood. They remonstrated on the impropriety of squandering away large sums of money on foreigners, and neglecting the merit of eminent British performers. The music, however, at the Italian opera, was so exquisite, that crowded audiences were never wanting. Fashion patronised it, and a succession of new performers gave it constantly increasing eclat. The establishment of this theatre is now extensive, and more brilliant than any in London. The scenery is most splendid, and the salaries of the performers are enormous. Not Rowe, not Sheridan, not Shakspeare, can prevent the English theatre from being considered a bore, which is only occasionally to be endured, while the dear delightful opera continues the nightly resort of rank and beauty. It is proper, however, to add, that at the King's Theatre a gratification is

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By all the operations of the orbs,
From whom we do exist and cease to be,
Here I disclaim all my paternal care. Shakspeare.
Earth, yield me roots!

Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate
With thy most operant poison.
Id. Timon.

I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;
My operant powers their functions leave to do.
Shakspeare.

To be over curious in searching how God's allpiercing and operative spirit distinguishing gave form to the matter of the universal, is a search like unto his, who, not contented with a known ford, will presume to pass over the greatest rivers in all parts where he is ignorant of their depths. Raleigh.

All operations by transmission of spirits, and imagination, work at distance, and not at touch.

Bacon's Natural History. Repentance and renovation consist not in the strife, wish, or purpose, but in the actual operations of good life.

Hammond. Waller's presence had an extraordinary operation Clarendon. to procure any thing desired.

Many of the nobility endeavoured to make themthose things which were most grateful to his majesty; selves popular, by speaking in parliament against and he thought a little discountenance upon those persons would suppress that spirit within themselves, or make the poison less operative upon others. Id.

In actions of religion we should be zealous, active, and operative, so far as prudence will permit.

Taylor.

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Being incapable of operable circumstances, or rightly to judge the prudentiality of affairs, they only gaze upon the visible success, and thereafter condemn or cry up the whole progression. Browne.

The offices appointed, and the powers exercised in the church, by their institution and operation are holy.

Pearson.

If the operation of these salts be in convenient glasses promoted by warmth, the ascending steams may easily be caught and reduced into a penetrant spirit. Boyle.

Written language, as it is more operous, so it is Holder. more digested, and is permanent.

manual operation, can never attain to perfection, but Speculative painting, without the assistance of slothfully languishes; for it was not with his tongue that Apelles performed his noble works. Dryden.

The pain and sickness caused by manna are the effects of its operation on the stomach and guts, by the size, motion, and figure of its insensible parts. Locke.

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Although I have taught surgery seventeen years, and exhibited the most difficult operations upon the dead body, I have never ventured to apply a cutting instrument to a living subject, through a fear of giving too much pain. Haller. Bibl. Chir. 1775.

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No prudent mother will permit this eloquent village matron to quell the hearts of her children with terrors. We were once present when a group of speechless children sat listening to Blue-beard,' breathing astonishment. A gentleman, who saw the charm beginning to operate, resolved to counteract its dangerous influence. Edgeworth.

These are all the essential circumstances which need here be mentioned, in regard to the mode of operating. The first day after the operation afforded hopes of a cure; and the circulation in the fore-arm was returning; but a difficulty of breathing afterwards came on, the limb mortified, and the patient died on the sixth day.

Dr. A. Rees. OPHIDIUM, a genus of fishes belonging to the order of apodes. The principal characters are these:-The head is somewhat naked; the teeth are in the jaws, palate, and fauces; the body long; the fins of the back, tail, and anus, confounded in one; no fin on the under part of the body; and the eyes covered by the common skin. Of this genus there are several species, of which the most curious is the

O. barbatum of Linnæus, thus described by Dr. Broussonet in the seventy-first volume of the Philosophical Transactions: The scales of the ophidium,' says he, are irregularly placed and dispersed over the whole body. Their form is sometimes round, sometimes nearly oval. They are larger near the head, and in the lower part of the body; but are hardly to be distinguished near the tail. They adhere to the body

by means of a particular transparent skin, which is in general very thin, but somewhat thicker near the neck, and extended loosely over the whole head: this skin is very easily destroyed, after which, the scales falling, the body appears spotted. When you look at them with the naked eye, they appear as covered with very small grains; but, viewed through a microscope, the middle of them appears more elevated than the margin; and from the centre to the margin, close by each other, there are many lines or rays formed by small scales placed one upon another, like tiles upon a roof, the superior being always the nearer to the centre. This sort of scales, which may be called umbonatæ, are fastened to the body by very small vessels, which are inserted in their middle; they are to be seen on the body only, not on the head nor the fins.' The anatomy of this fish comprehends some very remarkable circumstances, which, our author thinks, were never observed in any other species. When the skin is drawn off there appears a thin membrane of a silver color, which covers the muscles. The muscles being removed, we find the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity, and is adherent to the swimming bladder by some elongations. It is of a silver hue, with some very small black points. The ventricle is not to be distinguished from the intestines by any other mark but by its size; its form is oblong; it is extended almost to the anus, whence the intestinal duct has a retrograde course, and then descends again, having a little dilatation near the anus. On the vertebræ next the anus, on the outside of the peritonæum, is a kind of cavity of an oblong form, containing a reddish viscus, which he takes to be the kidney. The first vertebra from the head has nothing very remarkable in its structure. The second has on each side an elongated and sharp apophysis, to the apex of which is annexed a small ligament. The third is very flat, and has on each side a kind of triangular and sharp apophysis, to which adheres a ligament, as to the second. The fourth is remarkable in having a sharp apophysis on each side, articulated with the body of the vertebra; and under each of them is another articulated apophysis, flattish, thick, roundish at its extremities, and forked at its basis. The fifth, which is strongly adherent to the former, has in its middle a bifid process. The sixth has in its middle a flattish elevation, sharp on each side. Between the extremity of the larger apophysis of the fourth vertebra is a bone, or rather a hard cartilage, which bears the figure of a kidney, its convexity being turned towards the body of the vertebra: its position is parallel to the bodies of the vertebræ; its motion is half circular, one of its parts, viz. the lowest, being in the cavity of the swimming bladder, to which it adheres by a thin membrane, so that no air can escape at that part. It is covered by membranes, which adhere strongly to its middle; in this part are fastened the two ligaments of the apophysis of the second and third vertebræ, which are of a great tenuity. In the same point are fastened also two ligaments, each of which belongs to an oblong muscle parallel to each other, and fixed to the bones of the lowest and

posterior part of the head. All this apparatus is certainly subservient to the purpose of swimming; but it is very remarkable that,. if these parts are necessary to some animal function, they should not be found in all the individuals; 'for I have seen,' says our author, two, of which the vertebra were not different from the vertebrae of the other species; which difference depends, perhaps, on the difference of sex. I am inclined to believe so; but the generation in this fish seems to be no less mysterious than that of the eel: I could never distinguish a male from a female in this species.' This fish commonly grows to the size of eight or nine inches. It is found in all the Mediterranean Sea, and in great plenty in the Adriatic: its flesh is not of a good taste, rather coarse, as is that of all the species of fishes which, having no ventral fins, are obliged to make great efforts in swimming, and have consequently the muscles harder.

OPHIOGLOSSUM, adder's tongue, a genus of the natural order of filices, and the cryptogamia class of plants. The spike is articulated, flat, and turned to the two sides; with the articuli or joints opening across. There are seven species, of which the only remarkable one

is the

O. vulgatum, the common adder's tongue, which is a native of several places of Britain, growing in meadows and moist pastures. The country people make an ointment of the fresh leaves, and use it as a vulnerary to green wounds; which is a very ancient application, recommended by Matthiolus, Tragus, and others. OPHIOMANCY, in antiquity, the art of making predictions from serpents. Thus Calchas, on seeing a serpent devour eight sparrows with their dam, foretold the duration of the siege of Troy and the seven coils of a serpent that was seen on Anchises's tomb were interpreted to mean the seven years that Eneas wandered from place to place before he arrived at Latium.

OPHIOPHAGOUS, adj. Gr. opic and payw. Serpent eating. Not used.

All snakes are not of such poisonous qualities as common opinion presumeth; as is confirmable from ophiophagous nations, and such as feed upon serpents.

Browne.

Indies, called mungutia by the natives, mungo by the Portuguese, and muncas by the Dutch. This animal pursues the hooded serpent, as the cat does the mouse. As soon as the serpent appears, the weasel attacks him; and, if she chances to be bit by him, she immediately runs to find a certain vegetable, upon eating which she returns and renews the fight.—The Indians are of opinion that this plant is the mungus. That celebrated traveller Kæmpfer, who kept one of these weasels tame, that eat with him, lived with him, and was his companion whereever he went, says he saw one of these battles between her and the serpent, but could not certainly find out what root the weasel looked for. But, whether the weasel first discovered this antidote or not, it is an infallible remedy against the bite of the hooded serpent.

OPHIOXYLON, in botany, a genus of the monccia order, and polygamia class of plants: HERMAPHRODITE CAL. quinquefid: COR. quinquefid and funnel-shaped; with a cylindrical nectarium within its mouth.

OPHIR, a country mentioned in Scripture, from which Solomon had great quantities of gold brought home in ships, which he sent for that purpose; but respecting the situation of which authors are much divided in opinion. Some have gone to the West, others to the East Indies, and the eastern coasts of Africa, in search of it. But the two opinions which have been most plausibly supported are those of Mr. Bruce, the Abyssinian traveller, and Dr. Doig, author of Letters on the Savage State. The latter holds that Ophir was somewhere on the west coast of Africa; the former is satisfied that it was the country which is now called Sofala, a kingdom of Africa, on the coast of Mosambique, near Zanguebar.

OPHITES, n. s. A stone resembling a ser

pent.

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OPHITES, in church history, Christian heretics, so called both from the veneration they had for the serpent that tempted Eve, and the worship they paid to a real serpent: they pretended that OPHIORRHIZA, in botany, a genus of the the serpent was Jesus Christ, and that he taught monogynia order, and pentandria class of plants: men the knowledge of good and evil. They natural order forty-seventh, stellatæ: COR. fun- distinguished between Jesus and Christ: Jenel-shaped: CAPS. twin, bilocular, and poly-sus, they said, was born of the Virgin, but spermous. There are two species; the most remarkable is the

0. Asiaticum, or true lignum colubrinum. The root of this is known in the East Indies to be a specific against the poison of that most dreadful animal called the hooded serpent. There is a treatise in Amoen. Acad. tom. iv. upon this subject, wherein the author, John And. Darelius, undertakes, from the description of such authors as had seen it upon the spot, to ascertain the plant from which the genuine root is taken. It appears in this account that it had puzzled the European physicians; and what had been sold in the shops for it is the root of a very different plant, and o' a poisonous nature. The true root is called mungus, for the following reason:-There is a kind of weasel in the East

Christ came down from heaven to be united with him; Jesus was crucified, but Christ had left him to return to heaven. They distinguished the God of the Jews, whom they termed Jaldabaoth, from the supreme God: to the former they ascribed the body, to the latter the soul of inen. They had a live serpent, which they kept in a kind of cage; at certain times they opened the cage-door, and called the serpent: the animal came out, and, mounting upon the table, twined itself about some loaves of bread; this bread they broke, and distributed it to the company, who all kissed the serpent: this they called their eucharist.

OPHRYS, twyblade, a genus of the diandria order, and gynandria class of plants: natural order seventh, orchidea. The nectarium is a

little carinated below. The species are numerous; but the most remarkable are the following: 1. O. anthropophora, man-shaped ophrys, or man-orchis, has a roundish bulbous root, crowned with three or four oblong leaves; upright thick stalks, rising a foot and a half high, adorned with narrow leaves, and terminated with loose spikes of greenish flowers, representing the figure of a naked man; the lip of the nectarium linear tripartite, with the middle segment longest and bifid. There is a variety with brownish flowers tinged with green.

2. O. insectifera, the insect orchis, bee-flower, or gnat-flower, has two roundish bulbous roots, crowned with oblong leaves; erect leafy stalks, from six to ten or twelve inches high, terminated by spikes of insect-shaped greenish flowers, having the lip of the nectarium almost five-lobed. This wonderful species exhibits flowers in different varieties, that represent singular figures of flies, bees, and other insects; and are of different colors in the varieties.

O. monorchis, or musky ophrys, has a roundish bulbous root: crowned with three or four oblong leaves; an erect naked stalk, six inches high; terrainated by a loose spike of yellowish, musky scented flowers.

4. Ó. nidus avis, or bird's nest, with a bulbous, fibrated, clustered root; upright, thick, succulent stalks, a foot high, sheathed by the leaves, and terminated by loose spikes of palebrown flowers; having the lip of the nectarium bifid.

5. O. ovata, oval-leaved ophrys, or common twy-blade, has a bulbous, fibrated root; crowned by two oval, broad, obtuse, veined, opposite leaves; an erect, succulent green stalk, six or eight inches high, naked above, and terminated by a loose spike of greenish flowers, having the lip of the nectarium bifid. The flowers of this species resemble the figure of a gnat.

6. O. spiralis, spiral orchis or triple ladies tresses, has bulbous, oblong, aggregated roots; crowned by a cluster of oval, pointed, ribbed leaves; erect simple stalks, half a foot high; terminated by long spikes of white odoriferous flowers hanging to one side, having the lip of the nectarium entire, and crenated. All these species of ophrys flower in summer, at different times, in different sorts, from May until July; and in most of the sorts exhibit a singularly curious appearance. The plants are perennial in their roots, which are of the bulbous fleshy kind, from which the flower stalks rise annually in spring, and decay in autumn; at which period is the proper time for removing the roots from one place to another. They all grow wild in Britain, &c.; are residents of woods, bogs, marshy grounds, sterile pastures, chalky soils, and the like places, where they flourish and display their singular flowers in great abundance, from which places they are introduced into gardens for variety; and having procured some plants at the proper season, and planted them in soils and situations somewhat similar to that in which they naturally grow, the roots will abide for several years, and flower annually. As to their propagation, it may be tried by seed in a shady border, as soon as it is ripe; likewise by

offsets from the root, though they multiply spar ingly in gardens: however, roots of some standing may be examined at the proper season, and any offsets separated and planted in their proper places. Fr. opthalmie; Gr.

OPHTHALMIC, adj. pealpos. Relating to

OPHTHALMY, n. s.

the eye: a disease of the eyes.

The use of cool applications externally is most easy to the eye; but, after all, there will sometimes ensue a troublesome ophthalmy. Sharp's Surgery.

The ophthalmia, I hope, has left you. Withou doubt this complaint has been occasioned in yourself, from the too great use you have made of your eyes; but a similar one, which afflicted our troops in Egypt, proceeded, I think, from a too great glare of light. Bp. Watson.

O PIATE, n. s. & adj. From OPIUM, which see. A soporific; a medicine causing sleep: somniferous.

The particular ingredients of those magical ointments, are opiate and soporiferous. For anointing of the forehead and backbone is used for procuring dead sleeps.

All their shape

Bacon.

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They chose atheism as an opiate, to still those frightning apprehensions of hell, by inducing a dulness and lethargy of mind, rather than to make use of that native and salutary medicine, a hearty reBentley. pentance.

Thy thoughts and music change with every line Which with one unison of murmur flows, No sameness of a prattling stream is thine, Opiate of inattention and repose.

Should tempting novelty thy call refrain, And Sloth effuse her opiate fumes in yain; Should Beauty blush or fix her fatal dart, Nor claim the triumph of a labored heart.

Harte.

Johnson.

OPIE (John), R. A., and professor of painting at the academy, was born in 1761 in the parish of St. Agnes, Cornwall. His father was a carpenter, and intended him for the same occupation, but his talents when he was very young attracted the notice of Dr. Walcot (the Peter Pindar of the last reign), a physician at Truro, who gave him some instructions, and enabled him to travel in the neighbourhood as a portrait painter. He returned from his first expedition with twenty guineas, earned by his pencil, and thenceforward resolved to devote himself to painting. At about nineteen years of age he removed to London, but it was not till 1786 that any of his pictures were admitted into Somerset House. He was shortly after nominated an associate of the academy, and an academician. He first exercised his literary ability in a life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, in Dr. Walcot's edition of Pilkington's painters. He then published An Enquiry into the requisite Cultivation of the Arts of Design in England; and delivered lectures at the Royal Institution. In 1804 he succeeded Mr. Fuseli as professor of painting. He died April 9th, 1807, and was interred in St. Paul's. His pencil

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OPINE', v. n. OPI'NABLE, adj. OPINATION, n. s. OPINATOR, OPIN'IATIVE, adj. OPINIA TOR, N. s. OPINIA TRE, adj. OPINIA TRETY, OF OPINIA TRY, n. s. OPINION, n. s. & v. a. OPINʼIONATIVE, adj. OPIN'IONATE, OPIN'IONATELY, adv. OPIN'IONATENESS, n. s. OPINIONIST.

Latin opinor. To think; judge; suppose: opinable means which may be thought: opination, opinion; notion; opinator, he who holds or conceives a notion: 0piniative, imagined; stiff in opinion: opiniator, one who holds or is fond of particular notions: opiniatre (Fr. opiniatre), a needless Gallicism, for obstinate, stubborn in opinion: opiniatrety or opiniatry (a word of the same character as the last), obstinacy; pertinacity of opinion: all the above words are of unusual occurrence, of little use, and less elegance. Opinion is, notion; persuasion of mind; sentiment; judgment: to opinion (an obsolete verb), means to opine; think; deem: opinionative, tenacious or stubborn in opinion; which sense the adverb and noun-substantive following take: opinionist, one who is opinionative; one stubborn or inflexible in his notions.

What will not opiniators and self-believing men dispute of and make doubt of? Raleigh. Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect thing, settled in the imagination, but never arriving at the understanding, there to obtain the tincture of

reason.

Ben Jonson.

Howsoever I have no opinion of those things; yet so much I conceive to be true, that strong imagination hath more force upon things living, than things merely inanimate. Bacon.

In actions of arms small matters are of great moment, especially when they serve to raise an opinion of commanders. Hayward.

He is a rare man that is not wise in his own conceit; and that says not within himself, I see more than my neighbour; for we all are born proud and self-opinionate. Bp. Hall.

Where no such settled custom hath made it law, there it hath force only according to the strength of reason and circumstances joined with it, or as it shews the opinion and judgment of them that made it; but not at all as if it had any commanding power of obedience.

Selden.

Time wears out the fictions of opinion, and doth by degrees discover and unmask that fallacy of ungrounded persuasions; but confirms the dictates and sentiments of nature. Wilkins.

Essex left lord Roberts governour; a man of a sour and surly nature, a great opiniator, and one who must be overcome, before he would believe that he could be so.

Clarendon.

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Consider against what kind of opinators the reason above given is levelled.

Fear is an ague, that forsakes
And haunts by fits those whom it takes;
And they'll opine they feel the pain

Id.

And blows they felt to-day, again. Hudibras. The Stoicks opinioned the souls of wise men dwell earth; whereas the Epicureans held nothing after about the moon, and those of fools wandered about the

death. Browne. Lest popular opiniatry should arise, we will deliver the chief opinions. Id. Vulgar Errours. It is difficult to find out truth, because it is in such inconsiderable proportions scattered in a mass of opiniative uncertainties; like the silver in Hiero's crown of gold. Glanville.

That the soul and angels are devoid of quantity and dimension, is generally opinioned.

Id. Every conceited opinionist sets up an infallible chair in his own brain. Id. to Albius. We may allow this to be his opinion concerning heirs, that where there are divers children the eldest son has the right to be heir.

Locke.

Instead of an able man you desire to have him an insignificant wrangler, opiniatre in discourse, and priding himself in contradicting others.

Id.

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ill, to think well of all; but friendship, that always Charity itself commands us, where we know no claim to the good opinion of his friend. goes a pitch higher, gives a man a peculiar right and

Id.

A story out of Boccalini sufficiently shews us the opinion that judicious author entertained of the criticks. Addison.

Blest be the princes who have fought
For pompous names, or wide dominion,
Since by their error we are taught,
That happiness is but opinion.

Prior.
I can pass by opiniatry, and the busy meddling of
those who thrust themselves into every thing.
Woodward's Letters.

I was extremely concerned at this opiniatrety in Pope. leaving me; but he shall not get rid so.

But I, who think more highly of our kind, Opine, that nature, as in duty bound, Deep hid the shining mischief under ground. Id. If a woman had no opinion of her own person and dress, she would never be angry at those who are of Law. the opinion with herself.

The only view in which the Srciptures ever regards belief of the truth is as the foundation of virtuous practice: without which effect, not right opinions only, but also all other qualifications whatsoever, are, in the religious estimation of things, reputed as nothing. S. Clarke.

Set your opinion at whatever pitch,
Knots and impediments make something hitch :
Adopt his own, 'tis equally in vain,
Your thread of argument is snapped again;

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