MACAIRE, Robert, name of the villain in the French melodrama, 'Auberge des Adrets' (1823), in which Frederic Lemaitre made his reputation. The character was modified by Lemaitre in his comedy 'Robert Macaire,' a sequel, in collaboration with Benjamin Antier. It was performed at the Theatre des Folies Dramatiques, Paris, in 1834. In this, which Theophile Gautier calls "the great triumph of the revolutionary art' which followed the "Revolution of July," is expressed audacity and wit. It is an attack against social order. "Frederic Lemaitre," says Gautier, °created In the personage of Robert Macaire a kind of humor that is almost Shakespearean. In it we find terrible gaiety, sinister laughter, bitter de rision, pitiless raillery and a biting sarcasm, mingled with elegance, suppleness and astonish ing grace. Robert Macaire and Bertrand are Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in crime." Consult Alhoy, Maurice, and Huart, L.. 'Les cent Robert Macaire, composes et dessines par H. Daumier' (Paris). Robert Louis Stevenson and W. E. Henley wrote a play 'Robert Ma caire) (Stevenson's Works, Vol. XX). Consult The New Review (Vol. XII, p. 685).
McALESTER, ma-kaTes-ter, Miles Dan iel, American general: b. New York, 1833; d. 1869. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1856 and entering the engineer service became chief engineer of the Department of the Ohio in 1862. He served
under Grant before Vicksburg and took part in the operations against Mobile.
McALESTER, Okla., city and county-seat of. Pittsburg County. It is situated on two main trunk lines of railway— the Missouri, Kansas and Texas and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railways, and has an inter urban railway system that connects with the coal mines in the outlying district. McAlester is surrounded by rich agricultural land and stock-raising is an extensive business, thousands of cattle being shipped every year from Mc Alester. It is also the centre of the immense coal fields of eastern Oklahoma. Almost 50 companies are now operating in this new field with an annual output of 3,500,000 tons, all having their main offices in the city. Mc Alester also has extensive wholesale interests with an annual business of $6,000,000 in south west Oklahoma, western Arkansas and north ern Texas. The city has a high school, which cost $350,000, seven ward schools and two business colleges. The chief public buildings are the Busby Hotel, Federal Building, Ma sonic Temple, Mine Rescue Station and Busby Theatre. The Oklahoma State Penitentiary is located near the city. McAlester has the city manager form of government. Pop. 20,504.