the mechanic arts, a large piece of solid wood whereon to fallen work or to fashion it; strength and stability being the requisite properties. In this sense, we say a shaping block; a joiner's block; a smith's block, on which his anvil is fastened; an executioner's block, on which the criminal's head is laid to be struck off.

Block, among cutters in wood, is a form made of pear-tree, box, or other hard and close-grained wood, free from knots, on which they cut their figures in relief with knives, chisels, &c.

falconry, denotes the perch whereon a bird of prey is kept. This is to be covered with cloth.

Blocks, in sea-language, are pieces of wood belonging to ships, in which the shivers of pulleys are placed, and wherein the running-ropes go. Of these some are single, some double; and some have three, four, or five, shivers in them. They are named and distinguished by the ropes they carry, and the uses they serve for.

Mounting Block, an eminence usually of stone, cut in steps or notches, serving as a help to mount on horseback. There were much in use among the ancients, who were unacquainted with stirrups. The Romans erected them at proper stations along all their great roads.

Block (Daniel), portrait painter, was born at Stettin in Pomerania in 1580, and gave early proofs of a good genius; which induced his parents to place him as a disciple with Jacob Scherer, a master capable of giving him the best directions, to qualify him for proceeding successfully in his profession. He chiefly painted portraits, in which (according to Sandrart) he was very eminent, and had the honour to paint the portraits of Christian IV. King of Denmark, and of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden. The extraordinary merit of this master recommended him to the esteem of the Prince of Mecklenburg, who retained him in his service for 44 years; and by order of that Prince, he painted the portraits of his whole family at full length, as large as life, and in the antique habit; by which works his reputation was established effectually. By the agreeable manner of his colouring, and the easy attitudes of his figures, his paintings became so acceptable to all persons of rank, that before the decline of life, he had acquired a very large fortune; but unfortunately he lost it all, in the compass of a few hours, by the sudden eruption of a plundering party, and with great difficulty his own life was preserved. He died in 1661.