History. — Nicaragua was discovered in 1521 by Gil Gonzales de Avila, and conquered by Pedro Arias de Avila, the governor of Panama, in 1522. In 1821 — the great year of revolution in Central America — it threw off allegiance to Spain, and, after a desperate and bloody struggle, secured its independence by the help of the "Liberals" of San Salvador. Nicaragua now formed the second state in the federal republic of Central Amer- ica, but on the dissolution of the union in 1839 it be- came an independent republic. In 1847-8 a dispute arose between Nicaragua and Great Britain about the Mosquito Coast, which led to some hostilities, and was only settled in 1860. Meanwhile, in 1855, a civil war had broken out between the so-called " Conservatives" and " Liberals," which resulted in the victory of the lat- ter, who were, however, obliged to call in the help of the since notorious colonel William Walker, of Califor- nia, who, at first successful, was finally overthrown by a coalition of the other Central American states. After Walker's expulsion the government was re-established, and in 1858 a new constitution was adopted. By this constitution the republic of Nicaragua is governed by a president, who is elected by universal suffrage, and holds office for four years. There are two legislative cham-
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bers — the Senate and the House of Representatives. Liberty of speech and of the press exists, but is not ab- sohitely guaranteed. Nicaragua took an active part in the struggle between Guatemala and San Salvador, which resulted in the shooting of president Barrios and the death of Carrera in 1865. Since then the country has been comparatively quiet. P. Chamorra was elected president in 1875.
See Billow, Der Freistaat Nicaragua (Berlin, 1849) ; Squicr, Travels in Nicaragua (N. Y. 1850); id. Nic- aragua, Us People, etc. (Lend. 1852, 2 vols. 8vo) ; id. in Harper's Monthly, vol. xi ; Edinburgh Review, xcv, 287 sq. ; The American Cyclopcedia, s. v. ; Chambers, Cyclo- pcedia, s. v.
Nicarete (Na-apfV?;), St., a lady of good for- tune and family, born at Nicomedea, in Bithynia, was renowned for her piety and benevolence, and also for the numerous cures which her medical skill enabled her to perform gratuitously. She suifered great hard- ships during a sort of persecution that was carried on against the followers of St. Chrysostoni after his ex- pulsion from Constantinople, A.D. 404 (Sozomen, Hist. Eccles. viii, 23 ; Nicephorus Callistus, Hist. Eccles. xiii, 25). She has been canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, and her memorj' is celebrated on December 27 (^Martyr. Rom.'). Bzovius {Nommcl. Sanctor. Pj-ofess. Med.), and after him C. B. Carpzovius (De Medecis ah Eccles. pro Sanctis habit. ),i\\mk it possible that Nicarete may be the lady referred to by St. Chrysostom as hav- ing restored him to health by her medicines (Epist. ad Olyi/ip. [4 vols.] ii, 511, ed. Bened.), but this conjecture is founded on a faulty reading that is now amended. See Smith, Diet, of Greek and Roman Biog. and Mythol. s. V. ; Ludlow, Woniaiis Work in the Church, p. 30. Nicasius. See Nicaise.
Niccola Di Pisa, an eminent Italian sculptor and architect, is noted not only for his inventive genius and devotion to sacred art, but also as the principal restorer of sculpture in connection with Gothic architecture. The precise dates of his birth and death have not been ascertained. It is probable, however, that he was born near the beginning of the 13th century, as he was great- ly advanced in years in 1273, and is reported to have died at Pisa in 1276 or 1277. Niccola is distinguished among the earliest restorers of sculpture, which he ele- vated to a much higher state of perfection than he found it. He quitted the hard, dry, and mechanical style of his predecessors, and introduced a style which, though falling far short of the antique, was based upon similar principles, and evinced a vigorous mind and much feeling, if not always the most refined taste. It is said that his adaptation of the antitpie was brought about by the sight of an ancient sarcoiihagus brought from Greece in the ships of Pisa, but he must have had other opportunities of studying the antique sculpture, if we are to judge from his works. Though most of the finest specimens of Greek sculpture were not discovered till long after Niccola's time, he doubtless examined the various classic ruins with which Italy then abound- ed as much as to-day. Niccola's earliest work is sup- posed to be the Deposition over one of the doors of the facade of the cathedral of Lucca, dated 1233. In 1235 Niccola was employed to execute the area, or tomb of St. Domenico at Bologna, which he embellished with a series of bass-reliefs and figures, truly admirable for the time. Several of these subjects are given by Cicognara in his Sloria della Scultura, and many of the heads and countenances are finely expressed. It is composed of six large bass-reliefs, delineating the six princijial events in the legend of St. Dominic, and is ornamented with statues of our Saviour, the Virgin, and the four doctors of the Church. The operculum, or lid, was added about two hunilred years afterwards. Among his f)ther and most excellent works in sculpture are the pulpit in the Baptistery at Pisa, executed in 12C0, reckoned the most elegant pulpit in Italy. It is of white marble,