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BRANDYWINE CREEK BRANTOME 211 d'huile, the former varying from 18 to 20 Baume. The value of the stronger liquors depends upon the quantity of water that may be added to them to give them the strength of enu de vie A premie tie Hollands. There are usually twelve grades, designated as five-six, four-five, three-four, two-three, three-five, four- seven, five-nine, six-eleven, three-six, three- saven, three-eight, and three-nine. These ti-nns indicate the relative proportions of spirit find water required to produce the Holland proof. The spirit five-six has a specific gravity of 0-9237 or 22 Baume. On an average, 1,000 gallons of wine yield on distillation from 100 to 150 gallons of brandy. BRANDYWINE fREEK, a stream which rises in the N. W. part of Chester co., Penn., flows through the interior in a S. E. direction, and empties into Christiana creek at the city of Wilmington, Del. It furnishes power through- out its course for many valuable mill seats. On its banks the Americans, 13,000 strong, under Washington, were defeated by the British, 18,000 strong, under Howe, Sept. 11, 1777. BRANECKI, or Braniekl, Franelszek Xawery, a Polish statesman, died in 1819. lie was born of an obscure family, most probably of Tartar origin, and served in the military household of Jan Klemens Branicki. la 1762 he was an attendant of Poniatowski at his visit to St. Petersburg, and the abettor of his amours with Catharine II. When his master became king, Branecki was rapidly advanced through the influence of Catharine, and in 1771 became grand constable. In 1773 he was foremost in facilitating and sanctioning the first dismem- berment of Poland. Afterward he was active in forming the confederacy of Targovitza in 1792, which resulted in the second dismemberment. In 1794 ho was proclaimed a traitor to his country. After the third and final division of Poland in 1795, he retired with his wife, a niece of the celebrated Potemkin, to the im- mense estates given him by Catharine in the Ukraine, where he died. His descendants are among the richest proprietors in Russia. They received the title of counts in 1841. BRANICKI, Jan Klemens, a Polish statesman, born in 1688, died Oct. 9, 1771. In his youth lie served in the French army. About 1715 he returned to Poland, where he rose to the highest dignities, and was an opponent of King Augustus II. and the zealous champion of the nobility. After the death of Augustus III. he officiated as grand constable and first senator of the kingdom, and stood at the head of the republican party. He was offered the crown by a great majority of the nobles ; but, backed by Russia, Poniatowski was elected, while Branicki was outlawed, and escaped to Hun- gary. The new king, however, who was his j brother-in-law, soon recalled him, and restored him to his dignities. He was called by the nation the last patriot, and at his funeral was performed for the last time the mediaeval cere- mony of the ancient chivalry, that of breaking the coat of arms, and entombing it with the body of the last member of a noble line. BRANT, a 8. W. county of Ontario, Canada, drained by Grand river and traversed by the Great Western and the Buffalo and Lake Hu- ron railways ; area, 416 sq. m. ; pop. in 1871, 33,269. The surface is somewhat diversified, but most of it is level. The soil is exceedingly fertile. Capital, Brautford. BRANT, Joseph (TIIATEXDANEOA), a Mohawk chief, born in Ohio about 1742, died on his estate at the head of Lake Ontario, Canada, Nov. 24, 1807. Having taken a part in the campaign of Lake George in 1755, and in vari- ous subsequent conflicts, he officiated after Sir William Johnson's death as secretary of Col. Guy Johnson, superintendent general of the Indians ; and when the American revolution began he was instrumental in exciting the In- dians against the colonies. He took part in the massacre of Cherry Valley, and in other sanguinary affairs. He had been sent about 1760 to Dr. Wheelock's Indian school in Con- necticut, and in 1775-'6 he visited England. He was received with great distinction on a second visit to that country in 1786, and was afterward attached to the military service of Sir Guy Carleton in Canada. He opposed the confederation of the Indians which led to the expedition of Gen. Wayne, and exerted him- self to preserve peace between the Indians and the United States. He was, however, zealously devoted to the welfare of his own people, and conspicuous for his efforts to prevent the in- troduction of ardent spirits among them. Dur- ing his stay in England he collected funds for a church, and published the "Book of Com- mon Prayer " and the Gospel of Mark in Mo- hawk and English. One of his sons in 181 1 and 1812 led a body of Canadians and Indians employed by Great Britain against the United States. The "Life of Joseph Brant," by W. L. Stone (1830), has passed through many edi- tions; the latest, New York, 1865. BRANTFORD, a town of Canada, province of Ontario, capital of the county of Brant, W. of Lake Ontairo, 60 m. S. W. of Toronto, and 75 m. N. W. of Buffalo; pop. in 1871, 8,107. It occupies a commanding position on the banks of the Grand river. The county buildings were erected at a cost of $40,000. It has an excellent system of water works, constructed at a moderate cost, and is well lighted with gas. Several branches of manufacture employ a large number of persons. Among them are engine works, founderies, and manufactories of agricultural implements. There are ten churches, and a widows' and an orphans' home. Situated on the Goderioh and Buffalo railway, its facilities of access to all points east and west are excellent. Until 1830 the town plot was a reserve of the Six Nations. BRANT GOOSE. See GOOSE. BRANT6ME, Pierre Bonrdeilles, seigneur de 1'abbaye de, a French historian, born between 1527 and 1540, died July 5, 1614. Familiar