[As`teroids], or Planetoids, small planets in orbits between those of Mars and Jupiter, surmised in 1596, all discovered in the present century, the first on Jan. 1, 1801, and named Ceres; gradually found to number more than 200.
[As`ti] (33), an ancient city in Piedmont, on the Tanaro, 26 m. SE. from Turin, with a Gothic cathedral; is noted for its wine; birthplace of Alfieri.
[Astley, Philip], a famous equestrian and circus manager, along with Franconi established the Cirque Olympique in Paris (1742-1814).
[Astolfo], a knight-errant in mediæval legend who generous-heartedly is always to do greater feats than he can perform; in "Orlando Furioso" he brings back Orlando's lost wits in a phial from the moon, and possesses a horn that with a blast can discomfit armies.
[Aston, Luise], German authoress, championed the rights of women, and went about in male attire; b. 1820.
[Aston Manor] (54), a suburb of Birmingham.
[Astor, John Jacob], a millionaire, son of a German peasant, who made a fortune of four millions in America by trading in furs (1763-1848). His son doubled his fortune; known as the "landlord of New York" (1792-1875).
[Astor, William Waldorf], son of the preceding, devoted to politics; came to London, 1891; became proprietor of the Pall Mall Gazette and Budget in 1893; b. 1848.
[Asto`ria], in Oregon, a fur-trading station, with numerous salmon-tinning establishments.
[Astræ`a], the daughter of Zeus and Themis, the goddess of justice; dwelt among men during the Golden Age, but left the earth on its decline, and her sister Pudicitia along with her, the withdrawal explained to mean the vanishing of the ideal from the life of man on the earth; now placed among the stars under the name of Virgo.