a half coach, having only a seat behind, with a stool, at most, before. See Coach.

The chariots of the ancients, chiefly used in war, were called by the several names bigae, triga, &c., according to the number of horses applied to draw them. Every chariot carried two men, who were probably the warrior and the charioteer; and we read of several men of note and valour employed in driving the chariot. When the warriors came to encounter in close fight, they alighted out of the chariot, and fought on foot; but when they were weary, which often happened by reason of their armour, they retired into their chariot, and thence annoyed their enemies with darts and missile weapons. These chariots were made so strong, that they lasted for several generations.

Besides this sort, we find frequent mention of the currus falcati, or those chariots armed with hooks, or scythes, with which whole ranks of soldiers were cut off together; if they had not the art of avoiding the danger; these were not only used by the Persians, Syrians, Egyptians, &c., but we find them among the ancient Britons; and notwithstanding the imperfect state of some of the most necessary arts among that nation before the invasion of the Romans, it is certain that they had war-chariots in great abundance. By the Greek and Roman historians, these chariots are described by the fix fix following names; viz., Benna, Petoritum, Currus or Carrus, Covinus, Effedum, and Rheda. The benna seems to have been a chariot designed rather for travelling than war. It contained two persons, who were called *companones*, from their fitting together in the same machine. The petoritum seems to have been a larger kind of chariot than the benna; and is thought to have derived its name from the British word *pet-war*, signifying *war*; this kind of carriage having four wheels. The carrus or currus was the common cart or waggon. This kind of chariot was used by the ancient Britons, in times of peace, for the purposes of agriculture and merchandise; and, in time of war, for carrying their baggage, and wives and children, who commonly followed the armies of all the Celtic nations. The covinus was a war-chariot, and a very terrible instrument of destruction; being armed with sharp scythes and hooks for cutting and tearing all who were so unhappy as to come within its reach. This kind of chariot was made very light, and had few or no men in it besides the charioteer; being designed to drive with great force and rapidity, and to do execution chiefly with its hooks and scythes. The effedum and rheda were also war-chariots, probably of a large size, and stronger made than the covinus, designed for containing a charioteer for driving it, and one or two warriors for fighting. The far greatest number of the British war-chariots seem to have been of this kind. These chariots, as already observed, were to be found in great numbers among the Britons; inasmuch that Caesar relates that Cassibelanus, after disbanding all his other forces, retained no fewer than 4000 of these war-chariots about his person. The same author relates, that, by continual experience, they had at last arrived at such perfection in the management of their chariots, that "in the most steep and difficult places they could stop their horses upon full stretch, turn them which way they pleased, run along the pole, rest on the harness, and throw themselves back into their chariots, with incredible dexterity."

**Chariots**, in the heathen mythology, were sometimes consecrated to the sun; and the scripture observes, that Jotham burnt those which had been offered to the sun by the king's predecessors. This superstitious custom was an imitation of the heathens, and principally of the Persians, who had horses and chariots consecrated in honour of the sun. Herodotus, Xenophon, and Quintus Curtius, speak of white chariots crowned, which were consecrated to the sun, among the Persians, which in their ceremonies were drawn by white horses consecrated to the same luminary.

**Triumphal Chariot**, was one of the principal ornaments of the Roman celebration of a victory.

The Roman triumphal chariot was generally made of ivory, round like a tower, or rather of a cylindrical figure; it was sometimes gilt at the top, and ornamented with crowns; and, to represent a victory more naturally, they used to stain it with blood. It was usually drawn by four white horses; but oftentimes by lions, elephants, tygers, bears, leopards, dogs, &c.

**Charisia**, in the heathen theology, a wake, or night-festival, instituted in honour of the graces. It continued the whole night, most of which time was spent in dancing; after which, cakes made of yellow flour mixed with honey, and other sweetmeats, were distributed among the affiants.—Charis is also sometimes used to signify the sweetmeats used on such occasions.

**Charisius**, in the heathen theology, a surname given to Jupiter. The word is derived from *gracia*, *gratia*, "grace" or "favour;" he being the god by whose influence men obtain the favour and affection of one another. On which account the Greeks used at their meals to make a libation of a cup to Jupiter Charisius.

**Charista**, a festival of the ancient Romans, celebrated in the month of February, wherein the relations by blood and marriage met, in order to preserve a good correspondence; and that, if there happened to be any difference among them, it might be the more easily accommodated, by the good-humour and mirth of the entertainment. *Ovid, Fasti.* i. 67.

**Charity**, among divines, one of the three grand theological virtues, consisting in the love of God and of our neighbour, or the habit and disposition of loving God with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves.

**Charity** is also used for the effect of a moral virtue, which consists in supplying the necessities of others, whether with money, comfort, assistance or the like.

**Charity-Schools**, are schools erected and maintained in various parishes by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants, for teaching poor children to read, write, and other necessary parts of education. See School.

**Charity of St Hippolitus**, a religious congregation founded about the end of the XIVth century, by one Bernardin Alvarez, a Mexican, in honour of St Hippolitus the martyr, patron of the city of Mexico; and approved by Pope Gregory XIII.

**Charity of our Lady**, in church-history, a religious order in France, which, though charity was the principal motive of their union, grew in length of time to disorderly and irregular, that their order dwindled, and at last became extinct.

There is still at Paris a religious order of women, called "Nuns hospitaliers of the charity of our lady." The religious of this hospital are by vow obliged to administer to the necessities of the poor and the sick, but those only women.

**Charlatan**, or **Charletan**, signifies an empiric or quack, who retails his medicines on a public stage, and draws people about him with his buffooneries, feats of activity, &c. The word, according to Calepine, comes from the Italian *cerretano*; of *Ceretum*, a town near Spoleto in Italy, where these impostors are said to have first risen. Menage derives it from *ciarlatano*, and that from *circulatorius*, of *circulator*, a quack.

**Charlemagne**, or Charles I, king of France by succession, and emperor of the west by conquest in 800, (which laid the foundation of the dynasty of the western Franks, who ruled the empire 472 years, till the time of Radolphus Auspurgensis, the founder of the house of Austria). Charlemagne was as illustrious in the cabinet as in the field; and, though he could not write his name, was the patron of men of letters, the restorer of learning, and a wise legislator: he wanted only the virtue of humanity to render him the most accomplished. Charlemont accomplished of men; but when we read of his beheading 4500 Saxons, solely for their loyalty to their prince, in opposing his conquests, we cannot think he merits the extravagant encomiums bestowed on him by some historians. He died in 814, in the 74th year of his age, and 47th of his reign.

France had nine sovereigns of this name, of whom Charles V. merited the title of "the wise," (crowned in 1364, died in 1380): and Charles VIII. signalized himself in the field by rapid victories in Italy; crowned 1483, died in 1498. The rest do not deserve particular mention in this place. See (History of) France.