Dido, or Elissa, the reputed founder of Carthage. She was the daughter of a king of Tyre, called by some Belus, by others Metten or Matgenus. After her father's death, her brother Pygmalion murdered her husband Sicharbas, or as Virgil calls him Sychæus, with the view of obtaining his wealth. But Dido, accompanied by many Tyrians of her party, fled with all the treasure over sea, and, landing on the coast of Africa, founded Carthage about 860 B.C. The story is told by Virgil, with many inventions of his own, in the Æneid (Books i and ii).
Didot (dē-dō), a famous house of printers, booksellers, and typefounders at Paris. The founder was François Didot, born in 1689, died 1757. Of his sons François-Ambroise (born 1720, died 1804) and Pierre-François (born 1732, died 1795) the first distinguished himself in the type-founding art as an inventor of new processes and machines, the second was equally eminent for his bibliographical knowledge, and contributed much also to the advancement of printing.—Pierre (born 1761, died 1853) succeeded his father François-Ambroise in the printing business. He made himself famous by his magnificent editions of classic authors in folio, amongst which his Virgil (1798) and his Racine (1801) may be particularly mentioned. He did much also for the improvement of types. He is known also as an author.—Firmin (born 1764, died 1836), the brother of Pierre, took charge of the type-founding, was the inventor of a new sort of script, and an improver of the stereotype process.—Ambroise-Firmin (born 1790, died 1876), and Hyacinthe-Firmin (born 1794, died 1880) occupied a distinguished position amongst the publishers of Paris. The former left a collection of MSS. which was worth, at the time of his death, about two million francs. The house has now extended its trade into everything connected with bookselling, paper-making, and bookbinding.
Didsbury, a district of Manchester, on the Midland Railway, 4 miles south by east of Manchester, a place of residence of many Manchester business men. There is an important Wesleyan Training College there. Pop. 9234.
Didun´culus, a genus of birds allied to the pigeons, and comprising only the one species, D. strigirostris, native to some of the Samoan Islands. This bird is of special interest as being the nearest living ally of the extinct dodo. It has a length of about 14 inches, with a glossy plumage verging from a velvety black on the back to greenish black on the head, breast, and abdomen. The large beak, which is nearly as
long as the head, is greatly arched on the upper half, while the lower is furnished with two or three tooth-like indentations.
Didym´ium, a rare metallic element, occurring along with lanthanum in the mineral cerite as discovered by Mosander in 1842. It has been resolved into two new elements: Praseodymium (Pr, 140.9) and Neodymium (Nd, 144.3).
Die, a metallic stamp for impressing a design or figure upon coins or other metallic objects. See Dies and Die-sinking.
Die (dē), an ancient town, France, department of Drôme, 26 miles south-east of Valence; with an ancient cathedral and Roman remains. Pop. 4000.
Dié (di-ā), St., a town, France, department of Vosges, on the Meurthe, 25 miles E.N.E. of Epinal. Both iron and copper are worked; there are marble quarries; and numerous manufactures are carried on. Pop. 19,029.