An organization formed in the Southern States, after the American Civil War, to prevent the exercise of the franchise by the coloured population. White Sheep. The Turcomans who overran Persia in 1468 were so called. White Ship. _See_ Blanche Nef. Whiteboys. _See_ Levellers. Whitecaps. A secret association in Indiana, U.S.A., formed originally as a vigilance society, which later was guilty of many outrages. Who Who Ministry. The ministry formed by Lord Derby in 1852. Many of its members were new to office, and the story goes that the Duke of Wellington, who was very deaf, was being told by Lord Derby the names of his colleagues. At each unfamiliar name, the Duke kept ejaculating, Who? Who? Wild Geese. The name given to the Irishmen recruited by France for service in the Irish Brigade during the eighteenth century. Wills, Statute of. A statute passed in 1540, providing that land held in fee simple might be devised by will. This right had been greatly restricted by the Plantagenet legislation. William the Silent. The sobriquet of William, Prince of Orange (1533-84). Wilmot Proviso. An amendment, carried by Mr. David Wilmot, in the United States House of Representatives, to the Bill for the purchase of Mexican territory in 1846. It provided that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude should ever exist in the territory to be acquired. The amendment was thrown out by the Senate. Winchester, Statute of. A re-enactment in 1285 of the Assize of Arms of Henry II. It laid upon the counties the duty of keeping order within their boundaries, and of suppressing brigandage and highway robbery, and defined their obligations towards the national defence. Winter King. The nickname of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, who was King of Bohemia during the winter of 1619-20. Wisbuy, Ordinances of. A code of maritime laws issued during the fourteenth century, governing the operations of the Baltic traders. It takes its name from Wisbuy, a town in Gothland. Wisliza, Code of. A code of laws framed by Casimir the Great, in 1347, which remained the basis of Polish legislation till the end of the eighteenth century. Witanagemot. In Saxon times, the central assembly of the nation, presided over by the King or his representative. In early days it was open to all freemen, but later came to be composed of the nobles and thegns about the King’s person. The word signifies the Assembly of the Wise. Wizard. John Sobieski, King of Poland (1674-96), was so called by the Turks. Wolverine State. The State of Michigan, U.S.A., is so called, because in early days it was infested with wolverines. Wonderful Parliament. A Parliament of Richard II, assembled in 1388. It consisted almost entirely of partisans of the Duke of Gloucester, and during a session of 122 days was mainly occupied in the removal of his enemies. It is also known as the Merciless Parliament. Wood’s Halfpence.