GATLING, RICHARD JORDAN Ameri can inventor, was born in Hertford county (N.C.), Sept. 12, 1818. He assisted in the construction and perfecting of machines for sowing cotton seeds, and for thinning the plants. In 1839 he per fected a practical screw propeller for steamboats, only to find that a patent had been granted to John Ericsson for a similar invention a few months earlier. He established himself in St. Louis, and taking the cotton-sowing machine as a basis he adapted it for sowing rice, wheat and other grains. The introduction of these machines did much to revolutionize the agricultural system in the country.
Becoming interested in the study of medicine through an attack of smallpox, he completed a course at the Ohio medical college in 185o. In the same year he invented a hemp-breaking machine, and in 1857 a steam plough. At the outbreak of the Civil War he devoted himself at once to the perfecting of fire-arms. In 1861 he conceived the idea of the rapid fire machine-gun which is associated with his name. By 1862 he had succeeded in perfecting a gun that would discharge 35o shots per minute; but the war was practically over before the Federal authorities consented to its official adoption. The invention was adopted by almost every civilized nation. Gatling died in New York city, Feb. 26, 1903. GIULIO ), operatic di rector, was born at Udine, Italy, Feb. 3, 1869. He was educated at the University of Ferrara and the Royal Superior Naval Aca demy of Genoa, graduating as an engineer, and studied privately literature, history and music. In 1893 he was made a member of the board of directors of the Municipal theatre and superintend ent of the other musical institutions of Ferrara and subsequently (1898) became general artistic and administrative director of the Scala, Milan, remaining there until 1908. Among the singers who appeared under his management were Caruso and Chaliapin, and his management in general was distinguished by much vigour and initiative. From 1908 to 1935 he was general artistic and admin istrative director of the Metropolitan Opera, New York.