ACC 
accidental quality. 3. In opposition to sub- 
stance, all qualities whatever are called acci- 
dents, as sweetness, softness, &e. 
Accident absolute is used by the Romish 
church for an accident which may possibly 
subsist, at least miraculously, without any 
subject; an absurdity which lias been strenu- 
ously maintained by many of their casuists, 
and even solemnly decreed by some of their 
councils. 
Accident, in heraldry, an additional note 
or mark, in a coat of arms, which may be 
either omitted or retained, without altering 
the essence of the armour. 
ACCIDENTAL, in philosophy, is applied 
to that effect which proceeds from a cause oc- 
curring by accident, without being subject to 
general laws or regular returns. In this sense 
accidental is opposed to constant. The sun’s 
greater or less altitude is the constant and 
ceief cause of the heat in summer and cold in 
winter ; but wind, snow, or rain, are acci- 
dental causes. 
Accidental colours, are those which de- 
pend upon the affections of the eye, in contra- 
distinction to such as belong to the light itseif. 
The impressions made on the eye by looking 
stedfastly on objects of a particular colour, 
frequently give a false colouring to other ob- 
jects which are viewed during their continu- 
ance. 
Accidental point, in perspective, that 
point in the horizontal line, where all lines 
parallel among themselves meet the perspec- 
tive plain. See Perspective. 
Accidental, in music, is an epithet added 
to such sharps, flats, and naturals, as do not 
occur in the clef, and which imply some 
change of key or modulation different from 
that in which the piece began. 
ACCIPENSER, in ichthyology, a genus 
of fishes, belonging to the order of nantes, 
and class of amphibia, in the Linnxan sys- 
tem. The accipenser has a single linear nos- 
tril: the mouth is in the under part of the 
head, and contains no teeth; the cirri, are 
below the snout, and before the mouth. There 
are three species of this genus, viz. 
1. Accipenser Huso has four cirri ; the 
body is naked, i. e. has no prickles or protu- 
berances. The skin of the huso is so tough 
and strong, that it is employed to draw carts 
and other wheel carriages ; and the ich- 
thyocollo, or isinglass of the shops, is made 
from its sound or scales. The huso is the 
largest of the genus, and grows to 24 feet in 
length. It inhabits the Danube and the rivers 
of Russia. 
2. Accipenser Ruthenus has four cirri ; 
and fifteen squamous protuberances. It is a 
native of Russia. 
3. Accipenser Sturio, or the sturgeon, 
has four cirri and 1 1 squamous protuberances 
on the back. This fish annually ascends our 
rivers, but in no great numbers, and is taken 
by accident in the salmon nets. It seems a 
spiritless fish, making no manner of resistance 
when entangled, but is drawn out of the water 
like a lifeless lump. It is seldom taken far 
out at sea, but frequents such parts as are not 
remote from the actuaries of great rivers. It 
is admired for the delicacy and firmness of 
its flesh, which is white as veal, and extremely 
good when roasted. It is generally pickled. 
The greater part of what we receive comes 
either from the Baltic rivers or North America. 
Great numbers are takeu during summer in the 
ACC 
slake FrischehaflT, and Curisch-haff near Pillau, 
in large nets made of small cord. The adjacent 
shores are formed into districts, and fanned 
out to companies of fishermen, some of which 
are rented for 6000 guilders, or near 300/. per 
annum. They are found in vast abundance 
in the American rivers in May, June, and 
July ; at which time they leap some yards out 
of the water, and, falling on their sides, make 
a noise to be heard in still water at an im- 
mense distance. Caviare is made of the rows 
of this, and also cf all the other sturgeons, 
dried, salted, and packed up close. Isinglass 
is likewise made of the sound of this fish, but 
in very 7 small quantities. The sturgeon grows 
to the length of ] 8 feet, and the weight of 700 
pounds ; but it is seldom taken in our rivers 
of that bulk. In the manner of breeding, 
this fish is an exception among the cartilagi- 
nous kind ; being, like the bony fish, ovipa- 
rous, and spawning in water. See Plate Nat. 
Hist. rig. 4 — 6. 
ACCIPITRES the name of a whole order 
of birds, the distinguishing characteristic of 
which is, that they have a hooked or crooked 
beak. 
This order comprehends four genera, viz. 
the vulture, falco, strix, and lanius kinds ; and 
72 species. 
ACCLAMATION, in Roman antiquity, a 
shout raised by the people to testify their ap- 
plause, or approbation of their princes, ge- 
nerals, &c. Such is that of Ovid, Fast. I. 613. 
Augeat imperium nostri duels, augeut annos. 
The acclamations of the theatres, which 
were at first confused and tumultous shouts, 
became in process of time a kind of regular 
concerts. \V hen Nero played in the theatre, 
a signal was given, and upon this 5000 sol- 
diers began to chaunt his praise, which the 
spectators were obliged to repeat. The ho- 
nour of acclamations was chiefly bestowed on 
the emperors ; but sometimes it was conferred 
on their children and favourites, and on ma- 
gistrates w'ho presided at their games. 
'J lie Greeks were accustomed to practise 
acclamation, an instance ot which is men- 
tioned by Plutarch, in consequence of Flami- 
nius’s restoring liberty to Greece, when the 
shouts were so loud, that it was hyperlrolically 
said, the birds fell from the sky with the noise. 
Acclamations which w 7 ere at first practised 
in the theatre, passed to the senate, and other 
departments of civil society, and were at 
length admitted into the acts of councils, and 
the ordinary assemblies of the church. Chry- 
sostom checked acclamations of this kincl, 
hut Augustine received them very willingly. 
Sermons were applauded with hands and feet, 
by leaping up and down, and exclaiming 
“ orthodox/’ and by shaking the loose gar- 
ments, and waving handkerchiefs. These 
were some of the antient forms of acclamation: 
of the Hebrews, “ Hosanna;” of the Greeks, 
Aya/jTj Teyj t , good luck; of the Romans, DU 
te ,nobis servant, may the Gods preserve 
you ! To the disgrace of the famous French 
convention in 1792, it may be added, decrees 
were voted in a legislative assembly, not upon 
discussion, but, “ by acclamation.” 
Acclamation medals, among antiquaries, 
those whereon the people are represented as 
expressing their joy by acclamation. 
ACCOLADE, in antient customs, the ce- 
remony of conferring knighthood, by the 
king’s ^ laying his arms about the young 
knight’s neck, and embracing him. 
ACC 9 
ACOLLE'E, in heraldry, a term used m 
different senses; sometimes it denotes the 
same with accolade ; sometimes two things 
joined together ; at other times, animals with 
collars, or crowns about their necks ; and 
finally, battons, or swords placed saltienvise 
behind the shield. 
ACCOMMODATION, or Accommo- 
dating, in geometry, is the fitting a line or 
figure into a circle, &c. agreeably to the con- 
ditions of the problem ; and in philosophy, is 
the application of one thing by analogy to 
another. 
ACCOMPANIMENT, in music, is used 
for the instruments which accompany a voice, 
to make the music more full. Among the 
moderns, the accompaniment frequently plays 
a different part or melody, from the song it 
accompanies; but authors are not agreed, whe- 
ther or not it w r as so among the antients. 
Accompaniment, in heraldry, denotes 
any thing addfid to a shield by w ay of orna- 
ment, as the belt, mantling, supporters. See. 
It is also used for several bearings about % 
principal one ; as a saltier, bend, fess, &c. 
ACCOMPLICE, in law, a person who is 
privy to, or aiding in, the perpetration of 
some crime. It is generally applied to such 
accessaries as are admitted to give evidence 
against fellow criminals. By the law of Scot- 
land, accomplices cannot be prosecuted tilt 
the principal offenders are convicted. 
ACCORD, in music, the same with what 
is more usually called concord. See Con- 
cord. It is sometimes used for chord. 
Accord, in law 7 , a verbal agreement be- 
tween tw r o or more, where any one is injured 
by a trespass, or other offence committed, to 
make satisfaction to the injured party ; w ho, 
alter the accord is performed, will be barred 
in law 7 from bringing any new action against 
the aggressor for the same trespass. It is 
safest, however, in pleading, to allege satis- 
faction, and not the accord alone ; because in 
this latter case, a precise execution in every 
paft must be alleged ; whereas, in the former, 
the detendaht needs only say, that he paid 
the plaintiff such a sum in full satisfaction of 
the accord, which he received. 
ACCOUNT, or Accompt, in a genera! 
sense, is used for all arithmetical computa- 
tions, whether of time, weight, measure, mo- 
ney, Sec. Account is also used collectively, 
for the books in which merchants, traders, and 
bankers, enter all their business, traffic, and 
bargains with each other. See Book-keep- 
ing. 
Account, in law, is a writ or action, 
which lies against a person, who, because of 
his office, or business, is obliged to render ait 
account to another, but refuses to do it ; as a 
bailiff, for instance to his lord. It is now sel- 
dom used. 
Accounts, Chamber of, in the antient 
French polity, a sovereign court, answering 
nearly to our exchequer. 
^ ACCOUNTANT general, in the court of 
chancery, an officer appointed by act of par- 
liament to receive all monies lodged in court, 
and convey the same to the bank of England 
for better security. The salary of this officer 
and his clerks is to be paid out of the interest 
made of part ©f the money ; it not being al- ■ 
lowable to take fees in this office. 
ACCOUNTS, public, commissioners of, 
are commissioners appointed, with handsome 
salaries, to examine and state in what man- 
