SIZAR, a poor student at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford, so called from the size or allowance of food they were recipients of out of the college buttery.

SKAGER-RACK, an arm of the North Sea stretching NE. between Norway and Denmark, and connecting the Cattegat with the North Sea, 140 m. long and 70 broad, the deep water being on the Norwegian coast.

SKALD, an old Scandinavian poet, a reciter or singer of poems in praise of the Norse warriors and their deeds.

SKEAN-DHU, a small dirk which a Highlander wears in his stocking.

SKEAT, WALTER WILLIAM, English philologist, born in London; professor of Anglo-Saxon at Cambridge; author of “Etymological Dictionary of the English Language,” and a great authority on Early English literature; the first Director of the Dialect Society, established in 1873; b. 1835.

SKEGGS, MISS, a character in the “Vicar of Wakefield,” boastful for her aristocratic connections and delicacy of taste, but vulgar at bottom.

SKELTON, JOHN, early English satirist, his chief poetic works being “Why come ye not to Courte,” a satire against Wolsey; the “Book of Colin Clout,” against the corruption of the Church; and the “Book of Phyllyp Sparrow,” the grief of a nun for the death of her sparrow; Erasmus calls him “the glory and light of English letters” (1460?-1528).

SKENE, WILLIAM FORBES, Scottish historian, born in Kincardineshire, bred to law; devoted 40 years of his life to the study of the early, in particular the Celtic, periods of Scottish history, and was from 1881 historiographer for Scotland (1809-1892).

SKERRYVORE, a rock with a lighthouse, one of an extensive reef 10 m.  W. of Tiree, on the west coast of Scotland; the light is a revolving one; is seen at the distance of over 18 nautical miles.

SKIDDAW, a mountain in Cumberland, 3054 ft. in height; is some 6 m. from Keswick, whence it is of easy ascent.

SKIMPOLE, HAROLD, a plausible character in “Bleak House,” who was in the habit of sponging his friends.

SKINNER, JOHN, author of “Tullochgorum,” born in Bervie, Aberdeenshire; originally a schoolmaster; became an Episcopal clergyman (1721-1807).

SKIPTON (10), a market-town in Yorkshire, 26 m.  NW. of Leeds; population largely engaged in agriculture; has manufactures of cotton and woollen goods.

SKOBELEFF, MICHAEL, a Russian general, distinguished himself by his bravery in the Russian service, particularly in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78; was a leader in the Panslavist movement; died suddenly (1841-1882).

SKYE (16), next to Lewis the largest of the Hebrides Islands, belongs to the Inner group, and is included in Inverness-shire, from the mainland of which it is separated by the narrow channel Kyle Rhea; has a deeply indented coast-line, and a picturesquely diversified surface of mountain, moor, and loch; the most notable features being the lofty Coolin Hills (highest point 3234 ft.), Loch Coruisk, Glen Sligachan, and the wild columnar height of basalt, the Quiraing; sheep and Highland cattle are raised, and valuable ling, cod, and herring fisheries are carried on in the coastal waters.  Portree is the chief town and port, but is little better than a small village.