Chasing, the art of embossing or making figures in low relief upon gold, silver, and other metals. It is practised only on hollow thin works, such as watch-cases, tankards, cups, &c. The design having been traced on the exterior surface of the metal, the work is hammered upon steel blocks or punchcons introduced within; and thus the workman proceeds to indent the metal by the successive application of the block and hammer to the several parts of the design; after which the work is cleared with small chisels and gravers. In this simple manner a skilful artist is able to represent foliages, figures, &c. with admirable precision.

Enchorial Characters. See Demotic.

Encyclopædia (ἐν ῆ κύκλῳ, a circle, ἐπιστήμη instruction), a term nearly synonymous with Cyclopaedia, but adopted in preference to it in denoting the present work, as being etymologically more definite and complete. For, as it has been justly remarked—Cyclopaedia may denote "the instruction of a circle," as Cyropædia is "the instruction of Cyrus;" whereas in Encyclopædia, the preposition determines the meaning to be "instruction in a circle." Vossius, in his book De Vitinis Sermonis, observes—"that Cyclopaedia is used by some authors, but Encyclopædia by the best." Some account of the history and merits of the different Encyclopaedias which have appeared will be found in the General Preface to this work.