[Imperative, The Categorical]. See [Categorical].
[Imperial Federation], name given to a scheme for uniting more closely together the several interests of the British Empire.
[Imperial Institute], South Kensington, founded by the exertions of the Prince of Wales in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's jubilee, was opened by her in 1893; was intended to include a complete collection of the products of the British Empire, a grand commercial intelligence bureau, and a school of modern Oriental languages; the government to be carried on by a chartered body, whose form of constitution was granted by a royal warrant of date April 21, 1891; the idea is for the present abandoned, and the premises appropriated as henceforth the seat of the London University.
[Imperialism], the name given by English politicians to the policy which aims at the consolidation into one empire of all the colonies and dependencies along with the mother-country.
[Impetigo], a cutaneous eruption, generally in clusters, of yellow-scaled pustules, which grow thicker and larger; common among children ill fed and ill cared for.
[Impey, Sir Elijah], Indian judge, born at Hammersmith; educated at Cambridge, and called to the bar in 1756; was sent out to Bengal as first Chief-Justice in 1774; he supported Warren Hastings's administration, and presided over the court which sentenced Nuncomar to death for forgery; in the quarrel over Hastings's alleged resignation he decided in favour of the governor; was recalled and impeached for his conduct of the Nuncomar trial in 1783, but was honourably acquitted; resigning in 1789, he sat in Parliament for New Romney till 1796 (1732-1809).
[Imponderables], the name given to light, heat, and electricity when they were supposed to be material substances, but without weight.
[Impressionism], a term in painting that denotes the principle of a new school originating in France before 1870, and introduced into this country some 10 years later; it is a revolt against traditionalism in art, and aims at reproducing on canvas not what the mind knows or by close study observes is in nature, but the "impression" which eye and mind gather. The influence of the movement has been strong, and promises to be lasting both here and in Germany, and not the least interesting work of the kind has of late years issued from the "Glasgow School" and the "London Impressionists."
[Impressment], legalised enforcement of service in the British navy, which has for years been in abeyance, and is not likely to be ever again revived.
[Impropriation], the transference of the revenues of a benefice to a layman or lay body to be devoted to spiritual uses.