JERICHO, an ancient city of Palestine, in the SW. of a plain of the same name that extends W. of the Jordan and NW. of the Dead Sea; it was the first city taken by the Israelites when they entered the Holy Land, the walls falling down before them after being compassed for seven days by the priests blowing on rams’ horns and followed by the people.

JEROME, JEROME KLAPTA, dramatist, journalist, &c., author of “Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow,” “Three Men in a Boat,” “Diary of a Pilgrimage,” &c., as also of plays; editor of the Idler and of a weekly magazine journal, To-Day; b. 1861.

JEROME, ST., a Father of the Church, born in N. Illyria, of rich parents, presumably Christian, although he first became Christian himself of his own election after he was grown up; and from the day of his baptism, “he left,” as he says, “not only parents and kindred, but the accustomed luxuries of delicate life”; his fame rests on a translation of the Scriptures into Latin, known as the Vulgate, which he executed at Bethlehem at intervals from A.D. 385 to 404, with the design of showing to the Latin world what was and what was not contained in the original documents for the faith of the Church, and with the result, that in the long run the Old and the New Testaments were for the first time presented to and received by the Church as both of equal, or at least common authority, and as both sections of one book (331-420).

JEROME OF PRAGUE, born at Prague; studied there and at Oxford (where he came under Wycliffe’s influence), Paris, Heidelberg, and Cologne; acquired great learning, and displayed great energy and oratorical power; attracted the notice of the Kings of Poland and Hungary; joined John Huss in his agitation against the abuses of the Church; became involved in the movement against Huss, and though he recanted, afterwards withdrew his recantation, and was burned at Constance (about 1365-1416.)

JERROLD, DOUGLAS, dramatist and celebrated wit, born in London, son of a theatrical magistrate; began life as a printer; composed “Black-eyed Susan”; contributed to Punch “Mrs. Caudle’s Lectures” among other pieces, and edited magazines; the keenness of his satire was the reflex of a feeling heart (1803-1857).

JERSEY (55), the largest and richest of the Channel Islands, lies 15 m. off the French coast, 100 m.  S. of Portland Bill, is oblong in shape, with great bays in the coast, and slopes from the N. to the SW.; the soil is devoted chiefly to pasture and potato culture; the exports are early potatoes for the London market and the famous Jersey cattle, the purity of whose breed is carefully preserved; the island is self-governing, has a somewhat primitive land tenure, is remarkably free from poverty and crime, has been under the English crown since 1066; the capital is St. Helier (29), where there is a college, a public library, a harbour, and a good market.

JERSEY CITY (206), the most populous city in New Jersey, is separated from New York, of which it is practically a part, only by the Hudson River; has no pretension to beauty, but is a busy railway centre; has very varied manufactures, including sugar, flour, machinery, and chemicals, extensive shipping interests, and great trade in iron, coal, and agricultural produce.