ncipal towns are
STIRLING (q. v.), Falkirk, and Kilsyth; interesting remains of
Antoninus' Wall, from Forth to Clyde, still exist; within its borders
were fought the battles of Bannockburn, Sauchieburn, Stirling Bridge,
Falkirk, &c.

STIRRUP CUP, a "parting cup" given by the Highlanders to guests when
they are leaving and have their feet in the stirrups.

STOBSAEUS, JOANNES, a native of Stobi, in Macedonia; flourished at
the end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th century; celebrated as the
compiler (about 500 A.D.) of a Greek Anthology, through which many
valuable extracts are preserved to us from works which have since his day
been lost.

STOCK EXCHANGE, a mart for the buying and selling of Government
stocks, company shares, and various securities, carried on usually by the
members of an associated body of brokers having certain rules and
regulations. Such associations exist now in most of the important cities
of the United Kingdom and commercial world generally (on the Continent
are known as _Bourses_). The London Stock Exchange, transacting business
in handsome buildings in Capel Court, facing the Bank of England, was
established in 1801, stock-exchange transactions previous to then being
carried on in a loose, ill-regulated fashion by private parties chiefly
in and around Change Alley, the scene of the memorable SOUTH SEA
BUBBLE (q. v.) speculation. The great development in stock-exchange
business in recent times is due chiefly to the sale of foreign and
colonial bonds, and the remarkable growth and spread of joint-stock
companies since the Joint-Stock Company Act of 1862.

STOCKHOLM (246), capital of Sweden; occupies a charming site on the
channel leading out of Lake Maelar into a bay of the Baltic; stands partly
on the mainland and partly on nine islands, communication between which
is facilitated by handsome bridges and a busy service of boats; its
wooded and rocky islands, crowned with handsome buildings, its winding
waterways, peninsulas, crowded wharves, and outlook over the isleted
lake, combine to make it one of the most picturesque cities of Europe;
Town Island, the nucleus of the city, is occupied by the royal palace,
House of Nobles, principal wharf, &c., while on Knights' Island stand the
Houses of Parliament, law-courts, and other public buildings; Norrmalm,
with the Academy of Science, National Museum, Academy of Fine Arts, Hop
Garden, &c., is the finest quarter of the city; manufactures e