Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 06.djvu/271

DIDRON. 227 DIEFENBACH. grecquc ct Uitine (1S45) ; and Manuel dcs objets de bronze ct d'orfcirerie du moyin iigc (1895). DIDTJN'CULUS (Xwvl.at.. diminutive of didiis, from Port, doiido, dodo, foolish). A genus of a family (Didunoulid*) of pigeons, peculiar to Samoa, and characterized hy a hooked ujjper mandihle and a toothed lower one — the tooth- billed pigeons. See Pigeon". DIDYM'IUM iNeo-Lat., from Gk. dlovm didynius, twin, from Si-, di-, double + Sio, dyo, two; .so called from being found in the same min- eral which yields lanthanum). A metal discov- ered in 1842 by ilosander. in the mineral cerite. It is also found in gadolinitc. orlliile. and other cerium minerals. Kccent investigations have shown tlial didymium consists of two elements, neodymiuin (.symbol Xd.. atomic weight 144), and praseodymium (.symbol Pr., atomic weight 140). DICYMUS (Lat., from Gk. StSvfux, twin). The Greek translation of the Hebrew name of Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, the Greek form of the name Quticis, Thomtis, from which the English name is transliterated, being itself a transliteration of the Hebrew word Thi'imu, the meaning of which is 'a twin' (Gen. XXV. 24: xxwiii. 27: Song of Solomon iv. 5, vii. 3). This translation of the name is found only in the Fourth Gospel (xi. Hi, xx. 24. xxi. 2— "Thomas, called Didymus"). where it was most appropriately used, in view of the Greek-speaking Christians of Asia Minor, for whom the Gospel was written. See TiioM.vs, Apo.stle. DIDYMUS (Lat.. from Gk. A'Sv^oi;) (B.C. 03 — ?). An Alexandrian grammarian of the time of Augustus. Didynius is famous as author of an enormous number of books, in which he embraced the works of his predecessors, and also as the man who transjdanted learning from Alexandria to Rome. The total number of his works is given as 3.)00 by Athemeus and Suidas; Seneca says 4000. These include connnentaries on Homer. Hesiod. Pindar. Bacehylides, .Kschylus, Sophocles, Euri- pides, Eupolis. Cratinus, Aristophanes, Jlenan- der. Antiphon. Isieus, .Esehines, Demosthenes. Hyperides, and many others. The extant scholia to Homer, Pindar, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aris- tophanes, in great measure, go back to his com- mentaries. He also published lexicographical collections on the poets, historians, and orators; wrote on all kinds of questions concerning lit- erary history and composition: and composed historical and anti<|uarian treatises. From his endless industry he was nicknamed Chaleenter- os ( XaKKlvTei)os ) . 'Bronzegut.' and. likewise 'The forgetter of books," pifiXiriKieas, since he for- got some of his owti productions. Among the Romans he was in such high repute thjit Macro- bins called him the most learned grannnarian of his own or other times. Consult : Schmidt, Didymi Chaleerteri fraqmenta (Leipzig, 18.54) ; Ludwich, Aristarchs Homerische Tcxtkritik mich den Frafimrnten dcs Didymus (Leipzig, 1884- 8.5): Wilamowitz. Hcraklrs, vol. i. (Berlin, 1889) : Susemihl, Geschichte der gricchischeti Lit- lernlur in der Alexandriner Zcit, vol. ii. (Leip- zig. 1892). DIDYMUS OF ALEXANTJRIA (300-394). An ecclesiastical writer. .Although he became blind at the age of four, before he had learned to read, he succeeded in mastering all the sci- ences then known, and, on his ordination, was placed by Athanasius at the head of the Alexan- drian school of theology. Most of bis works are lost, but we possess a translation by Jerome (one of his pupils) of his treatise on the Holy (ibost, and a translation by Epiphanius of his comments on the canonical Epistles. A treatise against the Manicha'ans in (Jreek is also extant. He was condemned by the sixth (680) and .sev- enth (787) ecumenical councils as an Origenist. His works are in Migne, Patrologia Grwru, xxxix. DIEBITSCn, de'bich. H.x.s Kaki. Frikukicu ..TON, Count (178.5-1831). A Russian lield- marshal. He was born at Grossleippe. Silesia, and at an early ago entered the Russian Army. .Vl'ter serving with distinction at Aus- terlitz, Eylau, and Friedland, and attaining the grade of captain, he devoted a number of years to the study of military science. In 1812 he distinguished himself greatly by recapturing Polotsk, and covering the retreat of Wittgen- stein's corps. He was then raised to the rank of major-general, and shortlv afterwards, in 1813, w-as sent into Silesia. After the battle of Leip- zig he was made lieutenant-general. In 1814 he urged the march of the Allies on Paris, for which the Emperor conferred on him the Order of Saint .lexander Xevski. In 1815 he attended the Congress of Vienna, and was made adjutant- general to the Emperor. He was present at Alexander's death at Taganrog. The Emperor X'icholas made hini baron and afterwards count. In the Turkish war of 1828-29 he had the chief command, took Varna, crossed the Balkans, and nmde peace at Adrianople. The crossing of the Balkan Jlountains was commemorated in the ad- dition of Zabalkanski, "Grosser of the Balkans' (Russ. ::a, beyond -f BalUany, the Balkans), to his name, and his elevation to the rank of field- marshal. On the outbreak of the Polish Revo- lution in 1830 he was given the chief command, but did not meet with his usual success. He died near Polotsk, June 10, 1831, of cholera. Consult; Belmont, Graf Diehitsch (Dresden, 1830) ; Chesney, Russo-Turlcish Campaigns of 183S-29 ( Xew 'ork. Is.ili). DIEDENHOFEN, de'dcn-ho tV n (Fr. Thion- ville). A town and fortress of Alsace-Lorraine, in the District of Lorraine, Germany, on the Mo- selle, 15 miles north of Metz (JLi'p: Germany, B 4). Its fortitications are somewhat anti- quated, and of little value on account of the eminences connuanding them. Its manufactures are unimportant, but there is a consideralile trade in fruit, vegetables, grain, wine, iind wood. Population, in 1890, 8923 : in 1900, 10,0(;o. Die- denhofen, under the name of Theodonisvilla, was known as early as the eighth century, and was frequently the residence of the Carolingian rulers. It came into the possession of France in 1083. and was ceded to Prussia in 1871. DIEFENBACH, de'fen-bJiG, Lorenz (1806- 83). A Gernuin philologist. He was born at Ostheim, Grand Duchy of Hesse, studied theology and philosophy at (iiessen, traveled much, and for twelve years was pastor and librarian at SolmsLaubach. He was one of the founders of the German-Catholic party, and in 1 848 was a Deputy from Offenbach to the Parliament of Frankfort-on-the-Main. He remained in that city, and in 1865 was appointed second municipal li-