MASSAGE, in medicine a process of kneading, stroking, and rubbing, with the fingers and palms of the hands, applied to the body as a whole or to locally affected parts, to allay pain, promote circulation, and restore nervous and vital energy; it was practised in very early times in China and India; was known to the Greeks and Romans, and was revived by Dr. Mezger of Amsterdam in 1853.
MASSAGETAE, a Scythian people on the NE. of the Caspian Sea, who used to kill and eat the aged among them, in an expedition against whom, it is said, Cyrus the Great lost his life.
MASSENA, Duc de Rivoli, Prince of Essling, one of the most illustrious marshals of France, born at Nice; he distinguished himself at Rivoli in 1796, at Zurich in 1799, at the siege of Genoa in 1800, at Eckmuehl and at Wagram in 1809, and was named by Napoleon L’enfant cheri de la Victoire, i. e. the favoured child of victory; he was recalled from the Peninsula by Napoleon for failing to expel Wellington, and it appears he never forgot the affront (1758-1817).
MASSEY, GERALD, English democratic poet, born in Hertfordshire; wrote “Poems and Charms,” “Voices of Freedom and Lyrics of Love”; has written for the reviews, and taken a great interest in spiritualism; b. 1828.
MASSILLON, JEAN BAPTISTE, celebrated French pulpit orator, born at Hieres, in Provence; entered the congregation of the Oratory, and became so celebrated for his eloquence that he was called to Paris, where he gathered round him hearers in crowds; Bourdaloue, when he heard him, said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” and Louis XIV. said to him, “When I hear others preach I go away much pleased with them, but when I hear you I feel displeased with myself”; he was made bishop of Clermont, and next year preached before Louis XV., now king, his famous “Petit Careme,” a series of ten sermons for Lent; he was a devoted bishop, and the idol of his flock; his style was perfect, and his eloquence was winning, and went home to the heart (1663-1742).
MASSINGER, PHILIP, English dramatist; little is known of his personal history except that he studied at Oxford without taking a degree, that he lived in London, and was buried as “a stranger” in St. Saviour’s, Southwark; of his 37 plays only 18 remain, and of these the most famous is the comedy entitled “New Way to Pay Old Debts,” the chief character in which is Sir Giles Overreach, and the representation of which still holds its place on the stage (1583-1640).