A nickname of Sir Robert Walpole, in allusion to his constant employment of bribery to gain his ends. Grand Old Man. The sobriquet of Mr. Gladstone, generally abbreviated into G.O.M. Grand Monarque. Louis XIV of France was so called. Grand Rebellion of Virginia. A rising of the Virginian colonists under Nathaniel Bacon in 1676, against the corruption of the Government and the excessive taxation. After a strenuous resistance they were at last overpowered by the Royalists, and the only result of the rising was that Virginia was deprived of her constitution, and all the old grievances were revived. Grand Serjeanty. A form of tenure from the Crown, the condition being the performance of certain service, when called upon, such as acting as Chamberlain or Butler on occasions of state. Grangers. _See_ Patrons of Husbandry. Granite State. The State of New Hampshire is so called from the extent of the granite formation within its borders. Grattan’s Parliament. The free Irish Parliament established in 1782 is known by this name, Grattan having led the agitation which brought about the abolition of the old restrictions. Graubund. _See_ Grey League. Greased Cartridges. The ostensible cause of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 was the issue to the native troops of cartridges for the newly issued Enfield rifle, which were said to be greased with a mixture of cows-fat and hogs-lard. This would be obnoxious to both the Hindoo and the Mohammedan Sepoys, and the story was used by the instigators of the revolt to engender the belief that an attempt was being made forcibly to convert them to Christianity. Great Commoner. A sobriquet of the younger Pitt. Great Contract. A proposed arrangement between James I and the Parliament in 1610. James offered to surrender all the emoluments of the Crown from feudal tenures, excepting the aids, in return for which Parliament proposed to vote James an annual subsidy of £100,000. The King, however, did not consider the amount sufficient, and the bargain was not concluded. Great Dauphin. Louis, the son of Louis XIV of France, was so called. Great Intercourse. A treaty signed in 1496 between Henry VII and Philip of Burgundy, stipulating for free commercial intercourse between the dominions of the two sovereigns, and joint efforts for the suppression of piracy. By this treaty also Perkyn Warbeck was expelled from Burgundian territory. Great Session, Court of. The old Supreme Court of Wales, abolished in 1831. Great Storm. The famous storm of November 26-27, 1703, when the first Eddystone lighthouse was destroyed. Twelve men-of-war and many merchant vessels were wrecked on the coast, and over 8,000 persons drowned. The damage done in London is said to have exceeded two millions sterling. Great Triad Society. An important secret society in China, supposed to be pledged to the expulsion of the Manchus and the establishment of a Chinese dynasty. Greater Bull. _See_ Ausculta Fili.