Maine. The largest of the New England States, and the most easterly of the United States. The first settlement was made in it at Phippsburg, in 1607, but was subsequently abandoned. Settlements from New Hampshire gradually extended themselves into it, and it was afterwards annexed to Massachusetts, as far as the Kennebec River. In the latter part of the 17th century it suffered much from the incursions of the savages and the French, many of the towns being laid waste and the inhabitants slaughtered. This state of affairs was terminated by the treaty of Utrecht in 1712. During the Revolutionary war Portland was bombarded by the British in 1775, and much property destroyed. Maine was admitted into the Union as a State in 1820. Its northern boundary formed a subject of controversy with Great Britain, which threatened a war, but was settled by compromise in 1842. During the civil war, Maine was one of the most active of the Northern States in the cause of the Union.
Mainotes. The inhabitants of the mountainous district of Maina, a peninsula between the bays of the Kolokythia and Koron, forming part of the province of Laconia, in Greece. They number about 60,000, and are a wild and brave race, but addicted to robbery. While the Turks held possession of Greece, the Mainotes were almost completely independent, and when not engaged in a common struggle against the Turks their chiefs were at war with each other. The Mainotes, under their principal chief or bey, took a prominent part in the war for the liberation of Greece; but subsequently their independence was destroyed.
Maintain. When any body of men defend a place or post against the attacks of an adverse party, they are said to maintain it.
Maintenance, Cap of. Sometimes called Cap of Dignity, a cap of crimson velvet lined with ermine, with two points turned to the back, originally only worn by dukes, but afterwards assigned to various families of distinction. According to Sir John Fearne, “the wearing of the cap had a beginning from the duke or general of an army, who, having gotten victory, caused the chiefest of the subdued enemies whom he led to follow him in his triumph, bearing his hat or cap after him, in token of subjection and captivity.” Most of the reigning dukes of Germany, and various families belonging to the peerage both of England and Scotland, bear their crests on a cap of maintenance.
Maison-du-Roi (Fr.). The king’s household. Certain select bodies of troops were so called during the monarchy of France, and consisted of the [gardes-du-corps], or body-guards, the [gendarmes], [chevaux-legèrs], or light-horse, [mousquetaires], or musketeers, la [gendarmerie], [grenadiers à cheval], or horse-grenadiers, the regiments belonging to the French and Swiss guards, and the [cent Suisses], or hundred Swiss guards. The maison-du-roi, or king’s household, was not considered a separate establishment from the rest of the army until the reign of Louis IV. This establishment was successively formed by different kings out of militia companies, which they took into their body-guard.
Maitre d’Armes (Fr.). A term in general use among the French, signifying a fencing-master. Every regiment has a maitre d’armes attached to it.
Majesty. A title applied to sovereigns; as, Her Britannic Majesty.
Major. An officer next in rank above a captain and below a lieutenant-colonel; the lowest field-officer.
Major, Aid- (Fr.). See [Aid-Major].
Major, Brigade-. See [Brigade-Major].