AIDAN, a king of Scottish Dalriada, who reigned about the close of the 6th century. He usurped the succession from the son of Conall, and was crowned by Columba, who personally preferred another, and, it is said, was compelled to perform the ceremony by an interposition of divine power. During Aidan’s reign the Scottish Dalriada was completely freed from subjection to the Irish monarchs. (See Adamnan, lib. iii., c. 5; and Bede.)

AIDAN, St, first bishop of Lindisfarne or Holy Island, embraced a religious life in the monastery of Iona. Oswald, king of Northumbria, having requested a mission of monks from Iona to labour for the conversion of his subjects, Aidan was chosen by the abbot as leader of the expedition, and was consecrated a bishop about 634-5 a.d. Bede speaks of the holiness of his life, of the influence of his preaching as seen in the conversion of multitudes, and also of numerous miracles which he performed. Aidan died on the 31st August 651.

AIDE-DE-CAMP, a confidential officer attached to the “personal” or private staff of a general. In the field he is the bearer of his chief’s written or verbal orders, and when employed as the general’s mouthpiece, must be implicitly obeyed. In garrison and quarters his duties are more of a social character—he superintends the general’s household, writes and answers invitations, &c. To increase their state, colonial governors and the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland have aides-de-camp with functions analogous to those of equerries to royalty. Officers above the rank of captain are seldom taken as aides, and none of less than two years’ service. The sovereign, as head of the army, may have an indefinite number of aides-de-camp. In 1874 there were thirty-three military aides-de-camp ; of these, twelve, taken from the militia, were honorary, the remainder, from the regular army and marines, were chosen for distinguished war services. The appointment carries with it promotion to the army rank of “full” colonel. The Queen has also at present (1874) eleven naval aides-de-camp, in compliment to the sister service; but the appointment is more especially of a military character. An admiral’s aide-de-camp is his flag-lieutenant.

AIDIN, or Guzel-Hissar, a town of Turkey in Asia, in the pashalic of Anatolia, about 70 miles S.E. of Smyrna. It is beautifully situated near the river Meander, and is the residence of a pasha. Since 1866 it has been connected with Smyrna and Ephesus by rail. On a neighbouring height are to be seen the ruins of the ancient Tralles. Aidin is a place of very extensive trade, and is celebrated for its figs, which are grown in great abundance in the beautiful orchards between the town and the river, and form an important article of export. The streets of the town, overshadowed by trees, and having numerous well-frequented bazaars, present a very picturesque appearance. Among the inhabitants are considerable numbers of Greeks, Armenians, and Jews; and there are several churches and synagogues in addition to the fine Turkish mosques. Population, 30,000.

AIDS (Auxilia), a pecuniary tribute under the feudal system, paid by a vassal to his lord on particular occasions; originally a voluntary grant which in process of time became exigible as a right. The aids of this kind were chiefly three, viz. :—1 st , When the lord made his eldest son a knight; 2 d , To provide a dower when he gave his eldest daughter in marriage; 3 d , To ransom the person of the lord when taken prisoner. The amount of the first two was definitely fixed by 3 Ed. L, c. 36, but that of the last was of course uncertain. The right of levying aids was abolished by 12 Car. II., c. 24.