Swift has availed himself of this Grecian fable in his Gulliver's Travels ("Lilliput," 1726).

Pyke and Pluck (Messrs.), the tools and toadies of Sir Mulberry Hawk. They laugh at all his jokes, snub all who attempt to rival their patron, and are ready to swear to anything Sir Mulberry wishes to have confirmed.—C. Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby (1838).

Pylades and Orestes, inseparable friends. Pyladês was a nephew of King Agamemnon, and Orestês was Agamemnon's son. The two cousins contracted a friendship which has become proverbial. Subsequently, Pyladês married Orestês's sister, Electra.

Lagrange-Chancel has a French drama entitled Oreste et Pylade (1695). Voltaire also (Oreste, 1750). The two characters are introduced into a host of plays, Greek, Italian, French, and English. (See ANDROMACHE.)

Pynchons (The). Mr. Pynchon, a "representative of the highest and noblest class" in the Massachusetts Colony; one of the first settlers in Agawam (Springfield, Mass.).

Mrs. Pynchon (a second wife), a woman of excellent sense, with thorough reverence for her husband.

Mary Pynchon, beautiful and winning girl, afterward wedded to Elizur Holyoke.

John Pynchon, a promising boy.—J. G. Holland, The Bay Path (1857).

Pyncheon (Col.). An old bachelor, possessed of great wealth, and of an eccentric and melancholy turn of mind, the owner and tenant of the old Pyncheon mansion. He dies suddenly, after a life of selfish devotion to his own interests, and is thus found when the house is opened in the morning.—Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the Seven Gables (1851).

Pyrac'mon, one of Vulcan's workmen in the smithy of Mount Etna. (Greek, pûr akmôn, "fire anvil.")

Far passing Bronteus or Pyracmon great, The which in Lipari do day and night Frame thunderbolts for Jove.

Spenser, Faëry Queen, iv. 5 (1596).

Pyramid. According to Diodo'rus Sic'ulus (Hist., i.), and Pliny (Nat. Hist., xxxvi. 12), there were 360,000 men employed for nearly twenty years upon one of the pyramids.

The largest pyramid was built by Cheops or Suphis, the next largest by Cephrēnês or Sen-Suphis, and the third by Menchērês, last king of the Fourth Egyptian dynasty, said to have lived before the birth of Abraham.

The Third Pyramid. Another tradition is that the third pyramid was built by Rhodŏpis or Rhodopê, the Greek courtezan. Rhodopis means the "rosy-cheeked."

The Rhodopê that built the pyramid.

Tennyson, The Princess, ii. (1830).

Pyr'amos (in Latin Pyrămus), the lover of Thisbê. Supposing Thisbê had been torn to pieces by a lion, Pyramos stabs himself in his unutterable grief "under a mulberry tree." Here Thisbê finds the dead body of her lover, and kills herself for grief on the same spot. Ever since then the juice of this fruit has been blood-stained.—Greek Mythology.

Shakespeare has introduced a burlesque of this pretty love story in his Midsummer Night's Dream, but Ovid has told the tale beautifully.

Pyrgo Polini'ces, an extravagant blusterer. (The word means "tower and town taker.")—Plautus, Miles Gloriosus.

If the modern reader knows nothing of Pyrgo Polinicês and Thraso, Pistol and Parollês; if he is shut out from Nephelo-Coccygia, he may take refuge in Lilliput.—Macaulay.

[Asterism] "Thraso," a bully in Terence (The Eunuch); "Pistol," in the Merry Wives of Windsor and 2 Henry IV.; "Parollês," in All's Well that Ends Well; "Nephelo-Coccygia," or cloud cuckoo-town, in Aristophanê's (The Birds); and "Lilliput," in Swift (Gulliver's Travels).

Py'rocles (3 syl.) and his brother, Cy'moclês (3 syl.) sons of Acratês (incontinence). The two brothers are about to strip Sir Guyon, when Prince Arthur comes up and slays both of them.—Spenser, Faëry Queen, ii. 8 (1590).

Pyroc'les and Musidorous, heroes, whose exploits are told by Sir Philip Sidney in his Arcadia (1581).

Pyr'rho, the founder of the sceptics or Pyrrhonian school of philosophy. He was a native of Elis, in Peloponne'sus, and died at the age of 90 (B.C. 285).

It is a pleasant voyage, perhaps, to float, Like Pyrrho, on a sea of speculation.

Byron, Don Juan, ix. 18 (1824).

[Asterism] "Pyrrhonism" means absolute and unlimited infidelity.

Pythag'oras, the Greek philosopher, is said to have discovered the musical scale from hearing the sounds produced by a blacksmith hammering iron on his anvil.—See Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, 722.

As great Pythagoras of yore, Standing beside the blacksmith's door. And hearing the hammers, as he smote The anvils with a different note ... ... formed the seven-chorded lyre.

Longfellow, To a Child.

Handel wrote an "air with variations" which he called The Harmonious Blacksmith, said to have been suggested by the sounds proceeding from a smithy, where he heard the village blacksmiths swinging their heavy sledges "with measured beat and slow."

Pyth'ias, a Syracusan soldier, noted for his friendship for Damon. When Damon was condemned to death by Dionysius, the new-made king of Syracuse, Pythias obtained for him a respite of six hours, to go and bid farewell to his wife and child. The condition of this respite was that Pythias should be bound, and even executed, if Damon did not return at the hour appointed. Damon returned in due time, and Dionysius was so struck with this proof of friendship, that he not only pardoned Damon, but even begged to be ranked among his friends. The day of execution was the day that Pythias was to have been married to Calanthê.—Damon and Pythias, a drama by R. Edwards (1571), and another by John Banim in 1825.

Python, a huge serpent engendered from the mud of the deluge, and slain by Apollo. In other words, pytho is the miasma or mist from the evaporation of the overflow, dried up by the sun. (Greek, puthesthai, "to rot;" because the serpent was left to rot in the sun.)



Q (Old), the earl of March, afterwards duke of Queensberry, at the close of the last century and the beginning of this.

Quacks (Noted).

BECHIC, known for his "cough pills," consisting of digitalis, white oxide of antimony and licorice. Sometimes, but erroneously, called "Beecham's magic cough pills."

BOOKER (John), astrologer, etc. (1601-1667).

BOSSY (Dr.), a German by birth. He was well known in the beginning of the nineteenth century in Covent Garden, and in other parts of London.

BRODUM (eighteenth century). His "nervous cordial" consisted of gentian root infused in gin. Subsequently, a little bark was added.

CAGLIOSTRO, the prince of quacks. His proper name was Joseph Balsamo, and his father was Pietro Balsamo, of Palermo. He married Lorenza, the daughter of a girdle-maker of Rome, called himself the Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, and his wife the Countess Seraphina di Cagliostro. He professed to heal every disease, to abolish wrinkles, to predict future events, and was a great mesmerist. He styled himself "Grand Cophta, Prophet, and Thaumaturge." His "Egyptian pills" sold largely at 30s. a box (1743-1795). One of the famous novels of A. Dumas is Joseph Balsamo (1845).

He had a flat, snub face; dew-lapped, flat-nosed, greasy, and sensual. A forehead impudent, and two eyes which turned up most seraphically languishing. It was a model face for a quack.—Carlyle, Life of Cagliostro.

CASE (Dr. John), of Lime Regis, Dorsetshire. His name was Latinized into Caseus, and hence he was sometimes called Dr. Cheese. He was born in the reign of Charles II., and died in that of Anne. Dr. Case was the author of the Angelic Guide, a kind of Zadkiel's Almanac, and over his door was this couplet:

Within this place Lives Dr. Case.

Legions of quacks shall join us in this place, From great Kirlëus down to Dr. Case.

Garth, Dispensary, iii. (1699).

CLARKE, noted for his "world-famed blood-mixture" (end of the nineteenth century).

COCKLE (James), known for his anti-bilious pills, advertised as "the oldest patent medicine" (nineteenth century).

FRANKS (Dr. Timothy), who lived in Old Bailey, was the rival of Dr. Rock. Franks was a very tall man, while his rival was short and stout (1692-1763).

Dr. Franks, F.O.G.H., calls his rival "Dumplin' Dick,".... Sure the world is wide enough for two great personages. Men of science should leave controversy to the little world ... and then we might see Rock and Franks walking together, hand-in-hand, smiling, onward to immortality.—Goldsmith, A Citizen of the World, lxviii. (1759).

GRAHAM (Dr.), of the Temple of Health, first in the Adelphi, then in Pall Mall. He sold his "elixir of life" for [pounds]1000 a bottle, was noted for his mud baths, and for his "celestial bed," which assured a beautiful progeny. He died poor in 1784.

GRANT (Dr.), first a tinker, then a Baptist preacher in Southwark, then oculist to Queen Anne.

Her majesty sure was in a surprise, Or else was very short-sighted, When a tinker was sworn to look after her eyes, And the mountebank tailor was knighted.

Grub Street Journal.

(The "mountebank tailor" was Dr. Read.)

HANCOCK (Dr.), whose panacea was cold water and stewed prunes.

[Asterism] Dr. Sandgrado prescribed hot water and stewed apples.—Lesage, Gil Blas.

Dr. Rezio, of Barataria, would allow Sancho Panza to eat only "a few wafers, and a thin slice or two of quince."—Cervantes, Don Quixote, II. iii. 10 (1615).

HANNES (Dr.), knighted by Queen Anne. He was born in Oxfordshire.

The queen, like heaven, shines equally on all, Her favors now without distinction fall, Great Read, and slender Hannes, both knighted, show That none their honors shall to merit owe.

A Political Squib of the Period.

HOLLOWAY (Professor), noted for his ointment to cure all strumous affections, his digestive pills, and his enormous expenditure in advertising (nineteenth century). Holloway's ointment is an imitation of Albinolo's; being analyzed by order of the French law-courts, it was declared to consist of butter, lard, wax and Venice turpentine. His pills are made of aloes, jalap, ginger and myrrh.

KATERFELTO (Dr.), the influenza doctor. He was a tall man, dressed in a black gown and square cap, and was originally a common soldier in the Prussian service. In 1782 he exhibited in London his solar microscope, and created immense excitement by showing the infusoria of muddy water, etc. Dr. Katerfelto used to say that he was the greatest philosopher since the time of Sir Isaac Newton.

And Katerfelto, with his hair on end, At his own wonders, wondering for his bread.

Cowper, The Task ("The Winter Evening," 1782).

LILLY (William), astrologer, born at Diseworth, in Leicestershire (1602-1681).

LONG (St. John), born at Newcastle, began life as an artist, but afterwards set up as a curer of consumption, rheumatism and gout. His profession brought him wealth, and he lived in Harley Street, Cavendish Square. St. John Long died himself of rapid consumption (1798-1834).

MAPP (Mrs.), bone-setter. She was born at Epsom, and at one time was very rich, but she died in great poverty at her lodgings in Seven Dials, 1737.

[Asterism] Hogarth has introduced her in his heraldic picture, "The Undertakers' Arms." She is the middle of the three figures at the top, and is holding a bone in her hand.

MOORE (Mr. John), of the Pestle and Mortar, Abchurch Lane, immortalized by his "worm-powder," and called the "Worm Doctor" (died 1733).

Vain is thy art, thy powder vain, Since worms shall eat e'en thee.

Pope, To Mr. John Moore (1723).

MORISON (Dr.), famous for his pills (consisting of aloes and cream of tartar, equal parts). Professor Holloway, Dr. Morison, and Rowland, maker of hair-oil and tooth-powder, were the greatest advertisers of their generation.

PARTRIDGE, cobbler, astrologer, almanac-maker and quack (died 1708).

Weep, all you customers who use His pills, his almanacs, or shoes.

Swift, Elegy, etc.

READ (Sir William), a tailor, who set up for oculist, and was knighted by Queen Anne. This quack was employed both by Queen Anne and George I. Sir William could not read. He professed to cure wens, wry-necks and hare-lips (died 1715).

... none their honors shall to merit owe— That popish doctrine is exploded quite, Or Ralph had been no duke, and Read no knight; That none may virtue or their learning plead, This hath no grace, and that can hardly read.

A Political Squib of the Period.

[Asterism] The "Ralph" referred to is Ralph Montagu, son of Edward Montagu, created viscount in 1682, and duke of Montagu in 1705 (died 1709).

ROCK (Dr. Richard), professed to cure every disease, at any stage thereof. According to his bills, "Be your disorder never so far gone, I can cure you." He was short in stature and fat, always wore a white, three-tailed wig, nicely combed and frizzed upon each cheek, carried a cane, and waddled in his gait (eighteenth century).

Dr. Rock, F.U.N., never wore a hat. He is usually drawn at the top of his own bills sitting in an armchair, holding a little bottle between his finger and thumb, and surrounded with rotten teeth, nippers, pills and gallipots.—Goldsmith, A Citizen of the World, lxviii. (1759).

SMITH (Dr.), who went about the country in the eighteenth century in his coach with four outriders. He dressed in black velvet, and cured any disease for sixpence. "His amusements on the stage were well worth the sixpence which he charged for his box of pills."

As I was sitting at the George Inn I saw a coach, with six bay horses, a calash and four, a chaise and four, enter the inn, in yellow livery turned up with red; and four gentlemen on horseback, in blue trimmed with silver. As yellow is the color given by the dukes in England, I went out to see what duke it was, but there was no coronet on the coach, only a plain coat-of-arms, with the motto ARGENTO LABORAT FABER [Smith works for money]. Upon inquiry I found this grand equipage belonged to a mountebank named Smith.—A Tour through England (1723).

SOLOMON (Dr.), eighteenth century. His "anti-impetigines" was simply a solution of bichloride of mercury, colored.

TAYLOR (Dr. Chevalier John). He called himself "Opthalminator, Pontificial, Imperial, and Royal." It is said that five of his horses were blind from experiments tried by him on their eyes (died 1767).

[Asterism] Hogarth has introduced Dr. Taylor in his "Undertakers' Arms." He is one of the three figures at the top, to the left hand of the spectator.

UNBORN DOCTOR (The), of Moorfields. Not being born a doctor, he called himself "The Un-born Doctor."

WALKER (Dr.), one of the three great quacks of the eighteenth century, the others being Dr. Rock and Dr. Timothy Franks. Dr. Walker had an abhorrence of quacks, and was for ever cautioning the public not to trust them, but come at once to him, adding, "there is not such another medicine in the world as mine."

Not for himself but for his country he prepares his gallipot, and seals up his precious drops for any country or any town, so great is his zeal and philanthropy.—Goldsmith, A Citizen of the World, lxviii. (1759).

WARD (Dr.), a footman, famous for his "friars' balsam." He was called in to prescribe for George II., and died 1761. Dr. Ward had a claret stain on his left cheek, and in Hogarth's famous picture, "The Undertakers' Arms," the cheek is marked gules. He occupies the right hand side of the spectator, and forms one of the triumvirate, the others being Dr. Taylor and Mrs. Mapp.

Dr. Kirlëus and Dr. Tom Saffold are also known names.

Quackleben (Dr. Quentin), "the man of medicine," one of the committee at the Spa.—Sir W. Scott, St. Ronan's Well (time, George III.).

Quaint (Timothy), servant of Governor Heartall. Timothy is "an odd fish, that loves to swim in troubled waters." He says, "I never laugh at the governor's good humors, nor frown at his infirmities. I always keep a steady, sober phiz, fixed as the gentleman's on horseback at Charing Cross; and, in his worst of humors, when all is fire and faggots with him, if I turn round and coolly say, 'Lord, sir, has anything ruffled you?' he'll burst out into an immoderate fit of laughter, and exclaim, 'Curse that inflexible face of thine! Though you never suffer a smile to mantle on it, it is a figure of fun to the rest of the world."—Cherry, The Soldier's Daughter (1804).

Quaker Poet (The), Bernard Barton (1784-1849).

Quaker Widow. Gentle old dame who, on the afternoon of her husband's funeral, tells to a kindly visitor the simple story of her blameless life, its joys and sorrows, and of the light that comes at eventide.

"It is not right to wish for death; The Lord disposes best. His spirit comes to quiet hearts And fits them for His rest. And that He halved our little flock Was merciful, I see; For Benjamin has two in Heaven, And two are left with me."

Bayard Taylor, The Quaker Widow.

Quale (Mr.), a philanthropist, noted for his bald, shining forehead. Mrs. Jellyby hopes her daughter, Caddy, will become Quale's wife.—Charles Dickens, Bleak House (1853).

Quarl (Philip), a sort of Robinson Crusoe, who had a chimpanzee for his "man Friday." The story consists of the adventures and sufferings of an English hermit named Philip Quarl (1727).

Quasimo'do, a foundling, hideously deformed, but of enormous muscular strength, adopted by Archdeacon Frollo. He is brought up in the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. One day, he sees Esmeralda, who had been dancing in the cathedral close, set upon by a mob as a witch, and he conceals her for a time in the church. When, at length, the beautiful gypsy girl is gibbeted, Quasimodo disappears mysteriously, but a skeleton corresponding to the deformed figure is found after a time in a hole under the gibbet.—Victor Hugo, Notre Dame de Paris (1831).

Quatre Filz Aymon (Les), the four sons of the duke of Dordona (Dordogne). Their names are Rinaldo, Guicciardo, Alardo, and Ricciardetto (i.e. Renaud, Guiscard, Alard, and Richard), and their adventures form the subject of an old French romance by Huon de Villeneuve (twelfth century).

Quaver, a singing-master, who says "if it were not for singing-masters, men and women might as well have been born dumb." He courts Lucy by promising to give her singing lessons.—Fielding, The Virgin Unmasked.

Queechy. Farmstead to which the Rossiters retired after the ruin of their fortunes in New York. Old-fashioned house and not productive land.—Susan Warner, Queechy (1852).

Queen (The Starred Ethiop), Cassiopēia, wife of Cepheus (2 syl.), king of Ethiopia. She boasted that she was fairer than the sea-nymphs, and the offended nereids complained of the insult to Neptune, who sent a sea-monster to ravage Ethiopia. At death, Cassiopeia was made a constellation of thirteen stars.

... that starred Ethiop queen that strove To set her beauty's praise above The sea-nymphs, and their powers offended.

Milton, Il Penseroso, 19 (1638).

Queen (The White), Mary queen of Scots, La Reine Blanche; so called by the French, because she dressed in white as mourning for her husband.

Queen Dick, Richard Cromwell (1626, 1658-1660, died 1712).

[Asterism] It happened in the reign of Queen Dick, never, on the Greek kalends. This does not refer to Richard Cromwell, but to Queen "Outis." There never was a Queen Dick, except by way of joke.

Queen Sarah, Sarah Jennings, duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744).

Queen Anne only reigned while Queen Sarah governed.—Temple Bar, 208.

Queen Square Hermit, Jeremy Bentham, 1 Queen Square, London (1748-1832).

Queen of Hearts, Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I., the unfortunate queen of Bohemia (1596-1662).

Queen of Heaven, Ashtoreth ("the moon"). Horace calls the moon "the two-horned queen of the stars."

Some speak of the Virgin Mary as "the queen of heaven."

Queen of Queens. Cleopatra was so called by Mark Antony (B.C. 69-30).

Queen of Song, Angelica Catala'ni; also called "the Italian Nightingale" (1782-1849).

Queen of Sorrow, the marble tomb at Delhi called the Taj-Mahul, built by Shah Jehan for his wife, Moomtaz-i-Mahul.

Queen of Tears, Mary of Mo'dena, second wife of James II. of England (1658-1718).

Her eyes became eternal fountains of sorrow for that crown her own ill policy contributed to lose.—Noble, Memoirs, etc. (1784).

Queen of the East, Zenobia, queen of Palmy'ra (*, 266-273).

Queen of the South, Maqueda, or Balkis, queen of Sheba, or Saba.

The queen of the south ... came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.—Matt. xii. 42; see also 1 Kings x. 1.

[Asterism] According to tradition, the queen of the south had a son by Solomon, named Melech, who reigned in Ethiopia or Abyssinia, and added to his name the words Belul Gian ("precious stone"), alluding to a ring given to him by Solomon. Belul Gian translated into Latin, became pretiosus Joannes, which got corrupted into Prester John (presbyter Johannes), and has given rise to the fables of this "mythical king of Ethiopia."

Queen of the Swords. Minna Troil was so called, because the gentlemen, formed into two lines, held their swords so as to form an arch or roof under which Minna led the ladies of the party.—Sir W. Scott, The Pirate (time, William III.).

[Asterism] In 1877, W. Q. Orchardson, R. A., exhibited a picture in illustration of this incident.

Queen (My).

But thou thyself shall not come down From that pure region far above, But keep thy throne and wear thy crown, Queen of my heart and queen of love! A monarch in thy realm complete, And I a monarch—at thy feet!

William Winter, Wanderers (1889).

Queens (Four Daughters). Raymond Ber'enger, count of Provence, had four daughters, all of whom married kings; Margaret married Louis IX. of France; Eleanor married Henry III. of England; Sancha married Henry's brother, Richard, king of the Romans; and Beatrice married Charles I. of Naples and Sicily.

Four daughters were there born To Raymond Ber'enger, and every one Became a queen.

Dantê, Paradise, vi. (1311).

Quentin (Black), groom of Sir John Ramorny.—Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Quentin Durward, a novel by Sir W. Scott (1823). A story of French history. The delineations of Louis XI., and Charles the Bold, of Burgundy, will stand comparison with any in the whole range of fiction or history.

Quern-Biter, the sword of Haco I. of Norway.

Quern-biter of Hacon the Good Wherewith at a stroke he hewed The millstone thro' and thro'.

Longfellow.

Querno (Camillo), of Apulia, was introduced to Pope Leo X., as a buffoon, but was promoted to the laurel. This laureate was called the "Antichrist of Wit."

Rome in her capitol saw Querno sit, Throned on seven hills, the antichrist of wit.

Pope, The Dunciad, ii. (1728).

Querpo (Shrill), in Garth's Dispensary, is meant for Dr. Howe.

To this design shrill Querpo did agree, A zealous member of the faculty, His sire's pretended pious steps he treads, And where the doctor fails, the saint succeeds.

Dispensary, iv. (1699).

Questing Beast (The), a monster called Glatisaunt, that made a noise called questing, "like thirty couple of hounds giving quest" or cry. King Pellinore (3 syl.) followed the beast for twelve months (pt. i. 17), and after his death Sir Palomidês gave it chase.

The questing beast had in shape and head like a serpent's head, and a body like a libard, buttocks like a lion, and footed like a hart; and in his body there was such a noise as it had been the noise of thirty couple of hounds questing, and such a noise that beast made wheresoever he went; and this beast evermore Sir Palomides followed.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 17; ii. 53 (1470).

Quiara and Mon'nema, man and wife, the only persons who escaped the ravages of the small-pox plague which carried off all the rest of the Guara'ni race, in Paraguay. They left the fatal spot, settled in the Mondai woods, had one son, Yerūti, and one daughter, Mooma; but Quiāra was killed by a jagŭar before the latter was born.—Southey, A Tale of Paraguay (1814). (See MONNEMA[TN-113] and MOOMA.)

Quick (Abel), clerk to Surplus, the lawyer.—J. M. Morton, A Regular Fix.

Quick (John), called "The Retired Diocletian of Islington" (1748-1831).

Little Quick, the retired Diocletian of Islington, with his squeak like a Bart'lemew fiddle.—Charles Mathews.

Quickly (Mistress), servant-of-all-work, to Dr. Caius, a French physician. She says, "I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink, make the beds, and do all myself." She is the go-between of three suitors for "sweet Anne Page," and with perfect disinterestedness wishes all three to succeed, and does her best to forward the suit of all three, "but speciously of Master Fenton."—Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor (1601).

Quickly (Mistress Nell), a hostess of a tavern in East-cheap, frequented by Harry, prince of Wales, Sir John Falstaff, and all their disreputable crew. In Henry V. Mistress Quickly is represented as having married Pistol, the "lieutenant of Captain Sir John's army." All three die before the end of the play. Her description of Sir John Falstaff's death (Henry V. act ii. sc. 3) is very graphic and true to nature. In 2 Henry IV. Mistress Quickly arrests Sir John for debt, but immediately she hears of his commission is quite willing to dismiss the bailiffs, and trust "the honey sweet" old knight again to any amount.—Shakespeare, 1 and 2 Henry IV. and Henry V.

Quid (Mr.), the tobacconist, a relative of Mrs. Margaret Bertram.—Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

Quid Rides, the motto of Jacob Brandon, tobacco-broker, who lived at the close of the eighteenth century. It was suggested by Harry Calendon of Lloyd's coffee-house.

[Asterism] Quid Ridês (Latin) means "Why do you laugh?" Quid rides, i.e. "the tobacconist rides."

Quidnunc (Abraham), of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, an upholsterer by trade, but bankrupt. His head "runs only on schemes for paying off the National Debt, the balance of power, the affairs of Europe, and the political news of the day."

[Asterism] The prototype of this town politician was the father of Dr. Arne (see The Tatler, No. 155).

Harriet Quidnunc, his daughter, rescued by Belmour from the flames of a burning house, and adored by him.

John Quidnunc, under the assumed name of Rovewell, having married a rich planter's widow, returns to England, pays his father's debts, and gives his sister to Mr. Belmour for wife.—Murphy, The Upholsterer (1758).

Quidnuncs, a name given to the ancient members of certain political clubs, who were constantly inquiring, "Quidnunc? What news?"

This the Great Mother dearer held than all The clubs of Quidnuncs, or her own Guildhall.

Pope, The Dunciad, i. 269 (1728).

Quidnunkis, a monkey which climbed higher than its neighbors, and fell into a river. For a few moments the monkey-race stood panic-struck, but the stream flowed on, and in a minute or two the monkeys continued their gambols as if nothing had happened.—Gay, The Quidnunkis (a fable, 1726).

Quildrive (2 syl.), clerk to old Philpot "the citizen."—Murphy, The Citizen (1761).

Quilp (Daniel), a hideous dwarf, cunning, malicious, and a perfect master in tormenting. Of hard, forbidding features, with head and face large enough for a giant. His black eyes were restless, sly, and cunning; his mouth and chin bristly with a coarse, hard beard; his face never clean, but always distorted with a ghastly grin, which showed the few discolored fangs that supplied the place of teeth. His dress consisted of a large high-crowned hat, a worn-out dark suit, a pair of most capacious shoes, and a huge crumpled dirty white neck-cloth. Such hair as he had was a grizzled black, cut short but hanging about his ears in fringes. His hands were coarse and dirty; his fingernails crooked, long, and yellow. He lived on Tower Hill, collected rents, advanced money to seamen, and kept a sort of wharf, containing rusty anchors, huge iron rings, piles of rotten wood, and sheets of old copper, calling himself a ship-breaker. He was on the point of being arrested for felony, when he drowned himself.

He ate hard eggs, shell and all, for his breakfast, devoured gigantic prawns with their heads and tails on, chewed tobacco and water-cresses at the same time, drank scalding hot tea without winking, bit his fork and spoon till they bent again, and performed so many horrifying acts, that one might doubt if he were indeed human.—Ch. v.

Mrs. Quilp (Betsy), wife of the dwarf, a loving, young, timid, obedient, and pretty blue-eyed little woman, treated like a dog by her diabolical husband, whom she really loved but more greatly feared.—C. Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop (1840).

Quinnailon (Father). Benevolent priest in Xerxes, a Western town. He succors the suffering of whatever creed and conditions, and shares his little all with the needy. When appointed bishop, he goes to Rome to beg for permission to decline the honor.

"I will fall at the feet of the Holy Father, and beseech him not to make a bishop out of a poor, simple old man who cannot bear so great a burden; but to let me come back and die among my dear people!"—Octave Thanet, Quilters in the Sun (1877).

Quinap'alus, the Mrs. Harris of "authorities in citations." If any one quotes from an hypothetical author, he gives Quinapalus as his authority.

What says Quinapalus: "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit."—Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act.[TN-114] i. sc. 5 (1614).

Quinbus Flestrin (the "man-mountain"). So the Lilliputians called Gulliver (ch. ii.).—Swift, Gulliver's Travels ("Voyage to Lilliput," 1726).

Quince (Peter), a carpenter, who undertakes the management of the play called "Pyramus and Thisbê," in Midsummer Night's Dream. He speaks of "laughable tragedy," "lamentable comedy," "tragical mirth," and so on.—Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream (1592).

Quino'nes (Suero de), in the reign of Juan II. He, with nine other cavaliers, held the bridge of Orbigo against all comers for thirty-six days, and in that time they overthrew seventy-eight knights of Spain and France.

Quintano'na, the duenna of Queen Guinever or Ginebra.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, II. ii. 6 (1615).

Quintessence (Queen), sovereign of Entéléchie, the country of speculative science visited by Pantag'ruel and his companions in their search for "the oracle of the Holy Bottle."—Rabelais, Pantagruel, v. 19 (1545).

Quin'tiquinies'tra (Queen), a much-dreaded, fighting giantess. It was one of the romances of Don Quixote's library condemned by the priest and barber of the village to be burnt.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, I. (1605).

Quintus Fixlein [Fix.line], the title and chief character of a romance by Jean Paul Friedrich Richter (1796).

Francia, like Quintus Fixlein, had perennial fireproof joys, namely, employments.—Carlyle.

Quiri'nus, Mars.

Now, by our sire Quirīnus, It was a goodly sight To see the thirty standards Swept down the stream of flight.

Lord Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome ("Battle of the Lake Regillus," xxxvi., 1842).

Quitam (Mr.), the lawyer at the Black Bear inn at Darlington.—Sir W. Scott, Rob Roy (time, George I.).

[Asterism] The first two words in an action on a penal statute are Qui tam. Thus, Qui tam pro domina regina, quam pro seipso, sequitur.

Quixa'da (Gutierre), lord of Villagarcia. Don Quixote calls himself a descendant of this brave knight.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, I. (1605).

Quixote (Don), a gaunt country gentleman of La Mancha, about 50 years of age, gentle, and dignified, learned and high-minded; with strong imagination perverted by romance, and crazed with ideas of chivalry. He is the hero of a Spanish romance by Cervantes. Don Quixote feels himself called on to become a knight-errant to defend the oppressed, and succor the injured. He engages for his squire Sancho Panza, a middle-aged, ignorant rustic, selfish, but full of good sense, a gourmand, attached to his master, shrewd and credulous. The knight goes forth on his adventures, thinks wind-mills to be giants, flocks of sheep to be armies, inns to be castles, and galley-slaves oppressed gentlemen; but the squire sees them in their true light. Ultimately, the knight is restored to his right mind, and dies like a peaceful Christian. The object of this romance was to laugh down the romances of chivalry of the Middle Ages.

(Quixote means "armor for the thighs," but Quixada means "lantern jaws." Don Quixote's favorite author was Feliciano de Sylva; his model knight was Am'adis de Gaul. The romance is in two parts, of four books each. Pt. I. was published in 1605, and pt. II. in 1615.)

The prototype of the knight was the duke of Lerma.

Don Quixote is a tall, meagre, lantern-jawed, hawk-nosed, long-limbed, grizzle-haired man, with a pair of large black whiskers, and he styles himself "The Knight of the Woeful Countenance."—Cervantes, Don Quixote, II. i. 14 (1615).

Don Quixote's Horse, Rosinantê (4 syl.), all skin and bone.

Quixote (The Female), or Adventures of Arabella, a novel by Mrs. Lennox (1752).

Quixote of the North (The), Charles XII. of Sweden; sometimes called "The Madman" (1682, 1697-1718).

Quodling (The Rev. Mr.), chaplain to the duke of Buckingham.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Quos Ego—, a threat intended but withheld; a sentence broken off. Eŏlus, angry with the winds and storms which had thrown the sea into commotion without his sanction, was going to say he would punish them severely for this act of insubordination; but having uttered the first two words, "Whom I——," he says no more, but proceeds to the business in hand.—Virgil, AEneid, i.

"Next Monday," said he, "you will be a 'substance,' and then——;" with which quos ego he went to the next boy.—Dasent, Half a Life (1850).

Quo'tem (Caleb), a parish clerk or Jack-of-all-trades.—G. Colman, The Review, or The Ways of Windsor.

I resolved like Caleb Quotem, to have a place at the review.—Washington Irving.



R Neither Demosthĕnês nor Aristotle could pronounce the letter r.

R (rogue), vagabonds, etc., who were branded on the left shoulder with this letter.

They ... may be burned with a hot burning iron, of the breadth of a shilling, with a great Roman R on the left shoulder, which letter shall remain as a mark of a rogue.—Pyrnne,[TN-115] Histriomastix, or The Player's Scourge.

If I escape the halter with the letter R Printed upon it.

Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old Debts, iv. 2 (1629).

Rab'agas, an advocate and editor of a journal called the Carmagnole. At the same office was published another radical paper, called the Crapaud Volant. Rabagas lived in the kingdom of Monaco, and was a demagogue leader of the deepest red; but was won over to the king's party by the tact of an American lady, who got him an invitation to dine at the palace, and made him chief minister of state. From this moment he became the most strenuous opponent of the "liberal" party.—M. Sardou, Rabagas (1872).

Rabbi Jehosha, wise teacher, whose good words are recorded in James Russell Lowell's poem "What Rabbi Jehosha Said."

Rabbi Abron of Trent, a fictitious sage, and most wonderful linguist. "He knew the nature of all manner of herbs, beasts and minerals."—Reynard the Fox, xii. (1498).

Rabelais (The English). Dean Swift was so called by Voltaire (1667-1745).

Sterne (1713-1768) and Thomas Amory (1699-1788) have also been so called.

Rabelais (The Modern), William Maginn (1794-1842).

Rabelais of Germany, J. Fischart, called "Mentzer" (1550-1614).

Rabelais's Poison. Rabelais, being at a great distance from Paris, and without money to pay his hotel bill or his fare, made up three small packets of brick-dust. One he labelled "Poison for the king," another, "Poison for monsieur," and the third, "Poison for the dauphin." The landlord instantly informed against this "poisoner," and the secretary of state removed him at once to Paris. When, however, the joke was found out, it ended only in a laugh.—Spectator ("Art of Growing Rich").

Rab'ican or Rabica'no, the horse of Astolpho. Its sire was Wind and its dam Fire. It fed on human food. The word means "short tail."—Ariosto, Orlando Furioso (1516).

[Asterism] Argalia's horse is called by the same name in Orlando Innamorato (1495).

Rabisson, a vagabond tinker and knife-grinder. He was the only person who knew about "the gold-mine" left to the "miller of Grenoble." Rabisson was murdered for his secret by Eusebe Noel, the schoolmaster of Bout des Monde.—E. Stirling, The Gold Mine, or Miller of Grenoble (1854).

Rab'sheka (in the Bible RABSHAKEH), in the satire of Absalom and Achitophel, by Dryden and Tate, is meant for Sir Thomas Player (2 Kings xviii.).

Next him let railing Rabsheka have place— So full of zeal, he has no need of grace.

Pt. ii. (1682).

Raby (Aurora), a rich young English orphan, Catholic in religion, of virgin modesty, "a rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded." She was staying in the house of Lord and Lady Amundeville during the parliamentary vacation. Here Don Juan, "as Russian envoy," was also a guest, with several others. Aurora Raby is introduced in canto xv., and crops up here and there in the two remaining cantos; but, as the tale was never finished, it is not possible to divine what part the beautiful and innocent girl was designed by the poet to play. Probably Don Juan, having sowed his "wild oats," might become a not unfit match for the beautiful orphan.—Byron, Don Juan (1824).

Raby (The Rose of), the mother of Richard III. She was Cecily, daughter of Ralph Nevyll de Raby, first earl of Westmoreland. Her husband was Richard, duke of York, who was slain at the battle of Wakefield in 1460. She died 1495.

Rachael, a servant-girl at Lady Peveril's of the Peak.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Rachael (2 syl.), one of the "hands" in Bounderby's mill at Coketown. She loved Stephen Blackpool, and was greatly beloved by him in return; but Stephen was married to a worthless drunkard. After the death of Stephen, Rachael watched over the good-for-nothing young widow, and befriended her.—C. Dickens, Hard Times (1854).

Rachel Ffrench, beautiful daughter of Haworth's unworthy partner in the iron business. Haworth loves her, as does Murdoch, a young inventor who rises fast in Haworth's employ. She seems to vacillate between the two men, but really loves Murdoch, although pride will not let her avow it. When he is on the point of embarking to America, with an assured future, she confesses all, only to learn from him that "it is all over." Yet, in looking back at her "dark young face turned seaward" as his ship moves away, he mutters, "When I return it will be to you."—Frances Hodgson Burnett, Haworth's (1879).

Racine of Italy (The), Metastasio (1698-1782).

Racine of Music (The), Antonio Gaspare Sacchini, of Naples (1735-1786).

Racket (Sir Charles), a young man of fashion, who married the daughter of a wealthy London merchant. In the third week of the honeymoon Sir Charles paid his father-in-law a visit, and quarrelled with his bride about a game of whist. The lady affirmed that Sir Charles ought to have played a diamond instead of a club. Sir Charles grew furious, and resolved upon a divorce; but the quarrel was adjusted, and Sir Charles ended by saying, "You may be as wrong as you please, but I'll be cursed if I ever endeavor to set you right again."

Lady Racket, wife of Sir Charles, and elder daughter of Mr. Drugget.—Murphy, Three Weeks after Marriage (1776).

Racket (Widow), a sprightly, good-natured widow and woman of fashion.

A coquette, a wit, and a fine lady.—Mrs. Cowley, The Belle's Stratagem, ii. 1 (1780).

The "Widow Racket" was one of Mrs. Pope's best parts. Her usual manner of expressing piquant carelessness consisted in tossing her head from right to left, and striking the palm of one hand with the back of the other [1740-1797].—James Smith.

Rackrent (Sir Condy), in Miss Edgeworth's novel of Castle Rackrent (1802).

Raddle (Mrs.), keeper of the lodgings occupied by Bob Sawyer. The young medical practitioner invited Mr. Pickwick and his three friends to a convivial meeting; but the termagant Mrs. Raddle brought the meeting to an untimely end.—C. Dickens, The Pickwick Papers (1836).

Rad'egonde (St.) or ST. RADEGUND, queen of France (born 519, died 587). She was the daughter of Bertaire, king of Thuringia, and brought up a pagan. King Clotaire I. taught her the Christian religion, and married her in 538; but six years later she entered a nunnery, and lived in the greatest austerity.

There thou must walk in greatest gravity, And seem as saintlike as St. Radegund.

Spenser, Mother Hubbard's Tale (1591).

Radigund or RADEGONE, the proud queen of the Amăzons. Being rejected by Bellodant "the Bold," she revenged herself by degrading all the men who fell into her power by dressing them like women, giving them woman's work to do, such as spinning, carding, sewing, etc., and feeding them on bread and water to effeminate them (canto 4). When she overthrew Sir Artegal in single combat, she imposed on him the condition of dressing in "woman's weeds," with a white apron, and to spend his time in spinning flax, instead of in deeds of arms. Radigund fell in love with the captive knight, and sent Clarinda as a go-between; but Clarinda tried to win him for herself, and told the queen he was inexorable (canto 5). At length Britomart arrived, cut off Radigund's head, and liberated the captive (canto 7).—Spenser, Faëry Queen, v. 4-7 (1596).

Rag and Famish (The), the Army and Navy Club; so christened by Punch. The rag refers to the flag, and the famish to the bad cuisine.

Ragged Regiment (The), the wan figures in Westminster Abbey, in a gallery over Islip's Chapel.

Railway King (The), George Hudson, of Yorkshire, chairman of the North Midland Company. In one day he cleared by speculation [pounds]100,000. It was the Rev. Sydney Smith who gave Hudson the title of "Railway king" (1800-1871).

Raine (Old Roger), the tapster, near the abode of Sir Geoffrey Peveril.

Dame Raine, old Roger's widow; afterwards Dame Chamberlain.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Rainy-Day Smith, John Thomas Smith, the antiquary (1766-1833).

Rajah of Mattan (Borneo), has a diamond which weighs 367 carats. The largest cut diamond in the world. It is considered to be a palladium. (See DIAMONDS.)

Rake (Lord), a nobleman of the old school, fond of debauch, street rows, knocking down Charlies, and seeing his guests drunk. His chief boon companions are Sir John Brute and Colonel Bully.—Vanbrugh, The Provoked Wife (1697).

Rakeland (Lord), a libertine, who makes love to married women, but takes care to keep himself free from the bonds of matrimony.—Mrs. Inchbald, The Wedding Day (1790).

Rak'she (2 syl.), a monster, which lived on serpents and dragons.

Raleigh (Sir Walter), introduced by Sir W. Scott in Kenilworth. The tradition of Sir Walter laying down his cloak on a miry spot for the queen to step on, and the queen commanding him to wear the "muddy cloak till her pleasure should be further known," is mentioned in ch. xv. (1821).

Raleigh (Sir Walter). Jealous of the earl of Essex, he plots with Lord Burleigh to compass his death.—Henry Jones, The Earl of Essex (1745).

Ralph, abbot of St. Augustine's, expended [pounds]43,000 on the repast given at his installation.

It was no unusual thing for powerful barons to provide 30,000 dishes at a wedding breakfast. The coronation dinner of Edward III., cost [pounds]40,000, equal to half a million of money now. The duke of Clarence, at his marriage, entertained 1000 guests, and furnished his table with 36 courses. Archbishop Neville had 1000 egrettes served at one banquet, and the whole species seems to have been extirpated.

After this it will be by no means difficult to understand why Apicius despaired of being able to make two ends meet, when he had reduced his enormous fortune to [pounds]80,000, and therefore hanged himself.

[Asterism] After the winter of 1327 was over, the elder Spenser had left of the stores laid in by him the preceding November and salted down, "80 salted beeves, 500 bacons, and 600 muttons."

Ralph, son of Fairfield, the miller. An outlandish, ignorant booby, jealous of his sister, Patty, because she "could paint picturs and strum on the harpsicols." He was in love with Fanny, the gypsy, for which "feyther" was angry with him; but, "what argufies feyther's anger?" However, he treated Fanny like a brute, and she said of him, "He has a heart as hard as a parish officer. I don't doubt but he would stand by and see me whipped." When his sister married Lord Aimworth, Ralph said:

Captain Ralph my lord will dub me, Soon I'll mount a huge cockade; Mounseer shall powder, queue, and club me,— 'Gad! I'll be a roaring blade. If Fan should offer then to snub me, When in scarlet I'm arrayed; Or my feyther 'temp to drub me— Let him frown, but who's afraid?

Bickerstaff, The Maid of the Mill (1647).

Ralph or RALPHO, the squire of Hudibras. Fully described in bk. i. 457-644.—S. Butler, Hudibras (1663-78).

The prototype of "Ralph" was Isaac Robinson, a zealous butcher, in Morefields. Ralph represents the independent party, and Hudibras the Presbyterian.

[Asterism] In regard to the pronunciation of this name, which, in 1878, was the subject of a long controversy in Notes and Queries, Butler says:

A squire he had whose name was Ralph, That in th' adventure went his half: ... And when we can, with metre safe, We'll call him Ralpho, or plain Ra'ph.

Bk. l. 456.

Ralph (Rough), the helper of Lance Outram, park-keeper at Sir Geoffrey Peveril's of the Peak.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Ralph (James), an American, who came to London and published a poem entitled Night (1725).

Silence, ye wolves! while Ralph to Cynthia howls, Making night hideous; answer him ye owls.

Pope, The Dunciad, iii. 165 (1728).

Ralph [DE LASCOURS], captain of the Uran'ia, husband of Louise de Lascours. Ralph is the father of Diana and Martha, alias Orgari'ta. His crew having rebelled, Ralph, his wife, infant [Martha], and servant, Bar'abas, were put into a boat, and turned adrift. The boat ran on a huge iceberg, which Ralph supposed to be a small island. In time, the iceberg broke, when Ralph and his wife were drowned, but Martha and Barabas escaped. Martha was taken by an Indian tribe, who brought her up, and named her Orgarita ("withered corn"), because her skin was so white and fair.—E. Stirling, Orphan of the Frozen Sea (1856).

Ralph Roister Doister, by Nicholas Udall, the first English comedy, about 1534. It contains nine male and four female characters. Ralph is a vain, thoughtless, blustering fellow, who is in pursuit of a rich widow named Custance, but he is baffled in his intention.

Ramble (Sir Robert), a man of gallantry, treats his wife with such supreme indifference that she returns to her guardian, Lord Norland, and resumes her maiden name of Marie Wooburn. Subsequently, however, she returns to her husband.

Mrs. Ramble, wife of Sir Robert, and ward of Lord Norland.—Inchbald, Every One Has His Fault (1794).

Ram'iel (3 syl.), one of the "atheist crew" overthrown by Ab'diel. (The word means, according to Hume, "one who exalts himself against God.")—Milton, Paradise Lost, vi. 371 (1665).

Raminago'bris. Lafontaine, in his fables, gives this name to a cat. Rabelais, in his Pantag'ruel, iii. 21, satirizes under the same name Guillaume Crétin, a poet.

Rami'rez, a Spanish monk, and father confessor to Don Juan, duke of Braganza. He promised Velasquez, when he absolved the duke at bed-time, to give him a poisoned wafer prepared by the Carmelite Castruccio. This he was about to do, when he was interrupted, and the breaking out of the rebellion saved the duke from any similar attempt.—Robert Jephson, Braganza (1775).

Rami'ro (King) married Aldonza, who, being faithless, eloped with Alboa'zar, the Moorish king of Gaya. Ramiro came disguised as a traveller to Alboazar's castle, and asked a damsel for a draught of water, and when he lifted the pitcher to his mouth, he dropped in it his betrothal ring, which Aldonza saw and recognized. She told the damsel to bring the stranger to her apartment. Scarce had he arrived there when the Moorish king entered, and Ramiro hid himself in an alcove. "What would you do to Ramiro," asked Aldonza, "if you had him in your power?" "I would hew him limb from limb," said the Moor. "Then lo! Alboazar, he is now skulking in that alcove." With this, Ramiro was dragged forth, and the Moor said, "And how would you act if our lots were reversed?" Ramiro replied, "I would feast you well, send for my chief princes and counsellors, and set you before them and bid you blow your horn till you died." "Then be it so," said the Moor. But when Ramiro blew his horn, his "merry men" rushed into the castle, and the Moorish king, with Aldonza and all their children, princes, and counsellors, were put to the sword.—Southey, Ramiro (a ballad from the Portuguese, 1804).

Ramona, young Indian woman, who, in defiance of her duenna's fierce opposition, goes out into the wide world with gallant Alessandro. The struggles and disappointments of the wedded pair, and their oppression by Indian agents are told in Helen Hunt Jackson's novel, Ramona, (1884).

Ramorny (Sir John), a voluptuary, master of the horse to Prince Robert of Scotland.—Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Ramsay (David), the old watch-maker, near Temple Bar.

Margaret Ramsay, David's daughter. She marries Lord Nigel.—Sir W. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I.).

Ramsbottom (Mrs.), a vile speller of the language. Theodore Hook's pseudonym in the John Bull newspaper, 1829.

[Asterism] Winifred Jenkins, the maid of Miss Tabitha Bramble (in Smollett's Humphrey Clinker, 1770), rivals Mrs. Ramsbottom in bad spelling.

Randal, the boatman at Lochleven Castle.—Sir W. Scott, The Abbot (time, Elizabeth).

Randolph (Lord), a Scotch nobleman, whose life was saved by young Norval. For this service, his lordship gave the youth a commission; but Glenalvon, the heir presumptive, hated the new favorite, and persuaded Lord Randolph that Norval was too familiar with his lady. Accordingly, Glenalvon and Lord Randolph waylaid the lad, who being attacked, slew Glenalvon in self-defence, but was himself slain by Lord Randolph. When the lad was killed, Lord Randolph learned that "Norval" was the son of Lady Randolph by Lord Douglas, her former husband. He was greatly vexed, and went to the war then raging between Scotland and Denmark, to drown his sorrow by activity and danger.

Lady Randolph, daughter of Sir Malcolm, was privately married to Lord Douglas, and when her first boy was born, she hid him in a basket, because there was a family feud between Malcolm and Douglas. Soon after this, Douglas was slain in battle, and the widow married Lord Randolph. The babe was found by old Norval, a shepherd, who brought it up as his own son. When 18 years old, the lad saved the life of Lord Randolph, and was given a commission in the army. Lady Randolph, hearing of the incident, discovered that young Norval was her own son, Douglas. Glenalvon, who hated the new favorite, persuaded Lord Randolph that the young man was too familiar with Lady Randolph, and being waylaid, a fight ensued, in which Norval slew Glenalvon, but was himself slain by Lord Randolph. Lord Randolph being informed that the young man was Lady Randolph's son, went to the wars to "drive away care;" and Lady Randolph, in her distraction, cast herself headlong from a steep precipice.—J. Home, Douglas (1757).

The voice of Mrs. Crawford [1734-1801], when thrown out by the vehemence of strong feeling, seemed to wither up the hearer; it was a flaming arrow, a lighting of passion. Such was the effect of her almost shriek to old Norval, "Was he alive?" It was like an electric shock, which drove the blood back to the heart, and produced a shudder of terror through the crowded theatre.—Boaden, Life of Kemble.

Random, a man of fortune with a scapegrace son. He is pale and puffy, with gout and a tearing cough. Random goes to France to recruit his health, and on his return to England, gets arrested for debt by mistake for his son. He raves and rages, threatens and vows vengeance, but finds his son on the point of marrying a daughter of Sir David Dunder of Dunder Hall, and forgets his evils in contemplation of this most desirable alliance.—G. Colman, Ways and Means (1788).

Random (Roderick), a young Scotch scapegrace, in quest of fortune. At one time he revels in prosperity, at another he is in utter destitution. Roderick is led into different countries (whose peculiarities are described), and falls into the society of wits, sharpers, courtiers, and harlots. Occasionally lavish, he is essentially mean; with a dash of humor, he is contemptibly revengeful; and, though generous minded when the whim jumps with his wishes, he is thoroughly selfish. His treatment of Strap is revolting to a generous mind. Strap lends him money in his necessity, but the heartless Roderick wastes the loan, treats Strap as a mere servant, fleeces him at dice, and cuffs him when the game is adverse.—T. Smollett, Roderick Random (1748).

Ranger, the madcap cousin of Clarinda, and the leading character in Hoadly's Suspicious Husband (1747).

Ran'tipole (3 syl.), a madcap. One of the nicknames given to Napoleon III. (See NAPOLEON III.)

Dick, be a little rantipolish,[TN-116]

Colman, Heir-at-Law, i. 2 (1797).

Raoul [Rawl], the old huntsman of Sir Raymond Berenger.—Sir W. Scott, The Betrothed (time, Henry II.).

Raoul di Nangis (Sir), the Huguenot in love with Valentina (daughter of the Comte de St. Bris, governor of the Louvre). Sir Raoul is offered the hand of Valentina in marriage, but rejects it because he fancies she is betrothed to the comte de Nevers. Nevers being slain in the Bartholomew Massacre, Raoul marries Valentina, but scarcely is the ceremony over when both are shot by the musketeers under the command of St. Bris.—Meyerbeer, Les Huguenots (opera, 1836).

Raphael (2 or 3 syl.), called by Milton, "The Sociable Spirit," and "The Affable Archangel." In the book of Tobit it was Raphael who travelled with Tobias into Media and back again; and it is the same angel that holds discourse with Adam through two books of Paradise Lost, v. and vi. (1665).

Raphael, the guardian angel of John the Beloved.

[Asterism] Longfellow calls Raphael "The Angel of the Sun," and says that he brings to man "the gift of faith."—Golden Legend ("Miracle-Play," iii., 1851).

Raphael (The Flemish), Frans Floris. His chief works are "St. Luke at His Easel," and the "Descent of the Fallen Angels," both in Antwerp Cathedral (1520-1570).

Raphael (The French), Eustace Lesueur (1617-1655).

Raphael of Cats (The), Godefroi Mind, a Swiss painter, famous for his cats (1768-1814).

Raphael of Holland (The), Martin van Hemskerck (1498-1574).

Raphael's Enchanter, La Fornarina, a baker's daughter. Her likeness appears in several of his paintings. (See FORNARINA.)

Rapier (The) was introduced by Rowland York in 1587.

He [Rowland York] was a Londoner, famous among the cutters in his time for bringing in a new kind of fight—to run the point of a rapier into a man's body ... before that time the use was with little bucklers, and with broadswords to strike and never thrust, and it was accounted unmanly to strike under the girdle.—Carleton, Thankful Remembrance (1625).

Rare Ben. Ben Jonson, the dramatist, was so called by Robert Herrick (1574-1637).

Raredrench (Master), apothecary.—Sir W. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I.).

Rashleigh Osbaldistone, called "the scholar," an hypocritical and accomplished villain, killed by Rob Roy.—Sir W. Scott, Rob Roy (time, George I.).

[Asterism] Surely never gentleman was plagued with such a family as Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone, of Osbaldistone Hall. (1) Percival, "the sot;" (2) Thorncliff, "the bully;" (3) John, "the gamekeeper;" (4) Richard, "the horse-jockey;" (5) Wilfred, "the fool;" (6) Rashleigh, "the scholar and knave."

Ras'selas, prince of Abyssina, fourth son of the emperor. According to the custom of the country, he was confined in a private paradise, with the rest of the royal family. This paradise was in the valley of Amhara, surrounded by high mountains. It had only one entrance, which was by a cavern under a rock concealed by woods, and closed by iron gates. He escaped with his sister, Nekayah, and Imlac, the poet, and wandered about to find out what condition or rank of life was the most happy. After careful investigation he found no lot without its drawbacks, and resolved to return to the "happy valley."—Dr. Johnson, Rasselas (1759).

Rats (Devoured by). Archbishop Hatto, Count Graaf, Bishop Widerolf of Strasburg, Bishop Adolph of Cologne, Freiherr von Güttingen were all devoured by rats. (See HATTO.)

Ratcliffe (James), a notorious thief.—Sir W. Scott, Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Ratcliffe (Mr. Hubert), a friend of Sir Edward Mauley, "the Black Dwarf."—Sir W. Scott, The Black Dwarf (time, Anne).

Ratcliffe (Mrs.), the widow of "Don Carlos," who rescued Sheva at Cadiz from an auto da fe.

Charles Ratcliffe, clerk of Sir Stephen Bertram, discharged because he had a pretty sister, and Sir Stephen had a young son. Charles supported his widowed mother and his sister by his earnings. He rescued Sheva, the Jew, from a howling London mob, and was left the heir of the old man's property.

Miss [Eliza] Ratcliffe, sister of Charles, clandestinely married to Charles Bertram, and given [pounds]10,000 by the Jew to reconcile Sir Stephen Bertram to the alliance. She was handsome, virtuous and elegant, mild, modest and gentle.—Cumberland, The Jew (1776).

Rath'mor, chief of Clutha (the Clyde), and father of Calthon and Colmar. Dunthalmo, lord of Teutha, "came in his pride against him," and was overcome, whereupon his anger rose, and he went by night with his warriors and slew Rathmor in his own halls, where his feasts had so often been spread for strangers.—Ossian, Calthon and Colmal.

Rattlin (Jack), a famous naval character in Smollett's Roderick Random. Tom Bowling is in the same novel (1749).

Rattray (Sir Runnion), of Runnagullion; the duelling friend of Sir Mungo Malagrowther.—Sir W. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I.).

Raucocan'ti, leader of a troupe of singers going to act in Sicily. The whole were captured by Lambro, the pirate, and sold in Turkey as slaves.

'Twould not become myself to dwell upon My own merits, and, tho' young, I see, sir, you [Don Juan] Have got a travelled air, which shews you one To whom the opera is by no means new. You've heard of Raucocanti—I'm that man ... You was [sic] not last year at the fair of Lugo, But next, when I'm engaged to sing there—do go.

Byron, Don Juan, iv. 88 (1820).

Raven (Barnaby's), Grip, a large bird of most impish disposition. Its usual phrases were: "I'm a devil!" "Never say die!" "Polly, put the kettle on!" He also uttered a cluck like cork-drawing, a barking like a dog, and a crowing like a cock. Barnaby Budge used to carry it about in a basket at his back. The bird drooped while it was in jail with his master, but after Barnaby's reprieve

It soon recovered its good looks, and became as glossy and sleek as ever ... but for a whole year it never indulged in any other sound than a grave and decorous croak.... One bright summer morning ... the bird advanced with fantastic steps to the door of the Maypole, and then cried "I'm a devil!" three or four times, with extraordinary rapture ... and from that time constantly practised and improved himself in the vulgar tongue.—C. Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, ii. (1841).

Raven (The), Edgar Allan Poe's poem bearing this caption is the best known of his works, and one of the most remarkable in the English language (1845).

Ravens of Owain (The). Owain had in his army 300 ravens, who were irresistible. It is thought that these ravens were warriors who bore this device on their shields.

A man who caused the birds to fly upon the host Like the ravens of Owain, eager for prey.

Bleddynt Vardd, Myvyrian Archaiology, i. 365.

Ravens once White. One day a raven told Apollo that Coro'nis, a Thessalian nymph whom he passionately loved, was faithless. Apollo, in his rage, shot the nymph, but hated the raven, and "bade him prate in white plumes never more."—Ovid, Metam., ii.

Ravenswood (Allan, lord of), a decayed Scotch nobleman of the royalist party.

Master Edgar Ravenswood, the son of Allan. In love with Lucy Ashton, daughter of Sir William Ashton, lord-keeper of Scotland. The lovers plight their troth at the "Mermaid's Fountain," but Lucy is compelled to marry Frank Hayston, laird of Bucklaw. The bride, in a fit of insanity, attempts to murder the bridegroom, and dies in convulsions. Bucklaw recovers, and goes abroad. Colonel Ashton appoints a hostile meeting with Edgar; but young Ravenswood, on his way to the place appointed, is lost in the quicksands of Kelpies Flow, in accordance with an ancient prophecy.—Sir W. Scott, Bride of Lammermoor (time, William III.).

[Asterism] In Donizetti's opera of Lucia di Lammermoor, Bucklaw dies of the wound inflicted by the bride, and Edgar, heart-broken, comes on the stage and kills himself.

The catastrophe in the Bride of Lammermoor, where [Edgar] Ravenswood is swallowed up by a quicksand, is singularly grand in romance, but would be inadmissible in a drama.—Encyc. Brit., Art. "Romance."

Rawhead and Bloody-Bones, two bogies or bugbears, generally coupled together. In some cases the phrase is employed to designate one and the same "shadowy sprite."

Servants awe children ... by telling them of Rawhead and Bloody-bones.—Locke.

Ray. One of two brothers, divided by the civil war. Beltran is in the Southern army, Ray in the Northern. Both love the same woman whose heart is Beltran's. The brothers met[TN-117] in battle and Beltran falls. Ray is wounded and left for dead; recovers and makes his way homeward. There he lives—undergoing volcanic changes, now passionless lulls, and now rages and spasms of grief; "gradually out of them all he gathers his strength about him," and wins Vivia's hand.—Harriet Prescott Spofford, Ray.

Ray (Will), popular officer in a frontier brigade who steals through the deadly line of Cheyennes drawn about a handful of U. S. soldiers, and, followed by shots and yells, rides for his life and his comrades' lives to the nearest encampment of troops and brings succor to the devoted little band with the dawn of the day that, but for him, would have been the last on earth for those left behind.—Charles King, Marion's Faith (1886).

Rayland (Mrs.), the domineering lady of the Old Manor-House, by Charlotte Smith (1749-1806).

Mrs. Rayland is a sort of Queen Elizabeth in private life.—Sir W. Scott.

Raymond, count of Toulouse, the Nestor of the crusaders. He slays Aladine, king of Jerusalem, and plants the Christian standard on the tower of David.—Tasso, Jerusalem Delivered, xx. (1516).

[Asterism] Introduced by Sir W. Scott in Count Robert of Paris, a novel of the period of Rufus.

Raymond (Sir Charles), a country gentleman, the friend and neighbor of Sir Robert Belmont.

Colonel Raymond, son of Sir Charles, in love with Rosetta Belmont. Being diffident and modest, Rosetta delights in tormenting him, and he is jealous even of William Faddle "a fellow made up of knavery, noise and impudence."

Harriet Raymond, daughter of Sir Charles, whose mother died in giving her birth. She was committed to the care of a gouvernante, who changed her name to Fidelia, wrote to Sir Charles to say that she was dead, and sold her at the age of 12 to a villain named Villard. Charles Belmont, hearing her cries of distress, rescued her and took her home. The gouvernante at death confessed the truth, and Charles Belmont married her.—Edward Moore, The Foundling (1748).

Raz'eka, the giver of food, one of the four gods of the Adites (2 syl.).

We called on Razeka for food.

Southey, Thalaba, the Destroyer, i. 24 (1797).

Razor, a barber who could "think of nothing but old England." He was the friend and neighbor of Quidnunc, the upholsterer, who was equally crazy about the political state of the nation, and the affairs of Europe in general.—Murphy, The Upholsterer (1758).

Razor (To cut blocks with a). Oliver Goldsmith said of Edward Burke, the statesman.

Too deep for his hearers, he went on refining, And thought of convincing, while they thought of dining: Tho' equal to all things, to all things unfit; Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit; For a patriot too cool; for a drudge disobedient; And too fond of the right to pursue the expedient. In short, 'twas his fate, unemployed or in place, sir, To eat mutton cold, and cut blocks with a razor.

Retaliation (1774.)

Read (Sir William), a tailor, who set up for oculist, and was knighted by Queen Anne. This quack was employed both by Queen Anne and George I. Sir William could not read. He professed to cure wens, wry-necks, and hare-lips (died 1715).

None shall their rise to merit owe— That popish doctrine is exploded quite, Or Ralph had been no duke, and Read no knight.

A Political Squib of the Period.

[Asterism] The "Ralph" refered[TN-118] to is Ralph Montagu, created viscount in 1682, and duke of Montagu in 1705 (died 1709).

Ready-to-Halt, a pilgrim that journeyed to the Celestial City on crutches. He joined Mr. Greatheart's party, and was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire.—Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, ii. (1684).

Reason (The goddess of), in the French Revolution, some say, was the wife of Momoro, the printer; but Lamartine says it was Mdlle. Malliard, an actress.

Rebecca, leader of the Rebeccaïtes, a band of Welsh rioters, who, in 1843, made a raid upon toll-gates. The captain and his guard disguised themselves in female attire.

[Asterism] This name arose from a gross perversion of a text of Scripture: "And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, ... let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." (Gen. xxiv. 60).

Rebecca, daughter of Isaac, the Jew; meek, modest, and high-minded. She loves Ivanhoe, who has shown great kindness to her and to her father; and when Ivanhoe marries Rowena, both Rebecca and her father leave England for a foreign land.—Sir W. Scott, Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Rebecca (Mistress), the favorite waiting-maid of Mrs. Margaret Bertram, of Singleside.—Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

Record, noted for his superlatives, "most presumptuous," "most audacious," "most impatient," as:

Oh, you will, most audacious.... Look at him, most inquisitive.... Under lock and key, most noble.... I will, most dignified.—S. Birch, The Adopted Child.

Recruiting Officer (The), a comedy by G. Farquhar (1705). The "recruiting officer" is Sergeant Kite, his superior officer is Captain Plume, and the recruit is Sylvia, who assumes the military dress of her brother and the name of Jack Wilful, alias Pinch. Her father, Justice Balance, allows the name to pass the muster, and when the trick is discovered, to prevent scandal, the justice gives her in marriage to the captain.

Red Book of Hergest (The), a collection of children's tales in Welsh; so called from the name of the place where it was discovered. Each tale is called in Welsh a Mabinogi, and the entire collection is the Mabinogion (from nab, "a child"). The tales relate chiefly to Arthur and the early British kings. A translation in three vols., with notes, was published by Lady Charlotte Guest (1838-49).

Red-Cap (Mother), an old nurse at the Hungerford Stairs.—Sir W. Scott, Fortunes of Nigel (time, James I.).

Red-Cap (Mother). Madame Bufflon was so called, because her bonnet was deeply colored with her own blood in a street fight at the outbreak of the French Revolution.—W. Melville.

Red Cross Knight (The) represents St. George, the patron saint of England. His adventures, which occupy bk. i. of Spenser's Faëry Queen, symbolize the struggles and ultimate victory of holiness over sin (or protestantism over popery). Una comes on a white ass to the court of Gloriana, and craves that one of the knights would undertake to slay the dragon which kept her father and mother prisoners. The Red Cross Knight, arrayed in all the armor of God (Eph. vi. 11-17), undertakes the adventure, and goes, accompanied for a time, with Una; but, deluded by Archimago, he quits the lady, and the two meet with numerous adventures. At last, the knight, having slain the dragon, marries Una; and thus holiness is allied to the Oneness of Truth (1590).

Red Hand of Ulster.

Calverley, of Calverley, Yorkshire. Walter Calverley, Esq., in 1605, murdered two of his children, and attempted to murder his wife and a child "at nurse." This became the subject of The Yorkshire Tragedy. In consequence of these murders, the family is required to wear "the bloody hand."

The Holt family, of Lancashire, has a similar tradition connected with their coat armor.

Red Knight (The), Sir Perimo'nês, one of the four brothers who kept the passages leading to Castle Perilous. In the allegory of Gareth, this knight represents noon, and was the third brother. Night, the eldest born, was slain by Sir Gareth; the Green Knight, which represents the young day-spring, was overcome, but not slain; and the Red Knight, being overcome, was spared also. The reason is this: darkness is slain, but dawn is only overcome by the stronger light of noon, and noon decays into the evening twilight. Tennyson in his Gareth and Lynette, calls Sir Perimonês "Meridies," or "Noonday Sun." The Latin name is not consistent with a British tale.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 129 (1470); Tennyson, Idylls.

Red Knight of the Red Lands (The), Sir Ironside. "He had the strength of seven men, and every day his strength went on increasing till noon." This knight kept the Lady Lionês captive in Castle Perilous. In the allegory of Sir Gareth, Sir Ironside represents death, and the captive lady "the Bride," or Church triumphant. Sir Gareth combats with Night, Morn, Noon, and Evening, or fights the fight of faith, and then overcomes the last enemy, which is death, when he marries the lady, or is received into the Church, which is "the Lamb's Bride." Tennyson, in his Gareth and Lynette, makes the combat with the Red Knight ("Mors," or "Death") to be a single stroke; but the History says it is endured from morn to noon, and from noon to night—in fact, that man's whole life is a contest with moral and physical death.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 134-137 (1470); Tennyson, Idylls ("Gareth and Lynette").

Red Pipe. The Great Spirit long ago called the Indians together, and, standing on the red pipe-stone rock, broke off a piece, which he made into a pipe, and smoked, letting the smoke exhale to the four quarters. He then told the Indians that the red pipe-stone was their flesh, and they must use the red pipe when they made peace; and that when they smoked it, the war-club and scalping-knife must not be touched. Having so spoken, the Great Spirit was received up into the clouds.—Indian Mythology.

The red pipe has blown its fumes of peace and war to the remotest corners of the continent. It visited every warrior, and passed through its reddened stem the irrevocable oath of war and desolation. Here, too, the peace-breathing calumet was born, and fringed with eagle's quills, which has shed its thrilling fumes over the land, and soothed the fury of the relentless savage.—Catlin, Letters on ... the North Americans, ii. 160.

Red Ridinghood (Little), a child with a red cloak, who went to carry cakes to her grandmother. A wolf placed itself in the grandmother's bed, and when the child remarked upon the size of its eyes, ears, and nose, replied it was the better to see, hear, and smell the little grandchild. "But, grandmamma," said the child, "what a great mouth you have got!" "The better to eat you up," was the reply, and the child was devoured by the wolf.

This nursery tale is, with slight variations, common to Sweden, Germany, and France. In Charles Perrault's Contes des Fées (1697) it is called "Le Petit Chaperon Rouge."

Red Swan (The). Odjibwa, hearing a strange noise, saw in the lake a most beautiful red swan. Pulling his bow, he took deliberate aim, without effect. He shot every arrow from his quiver with the same result; then, fetching from his father's medicine sack three poisoned arrows, he shot them also at the bird. The last of the three arrows passed through the swan's neck, whereupon the bird rose into the air and sailed away towards the setting sun.—Schoolcraft, Algic Researches, ii. 9 (1839).

Redgauntlet, a story told in a series of letters, about a conspiracy formed by Sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, on behalf of the "Young Pretender," Charles Edward, then above 40 years of age. The conspirators insist that the prince shall dismiss his mistress, Miss Walkingshaw, and, as he refuses to comply with this demand, they abandon their enterprise. Just as a brig is prepared for the prince's departure from the island, Colonel Campbell arrives with the military. He connives, however, at the affair, the conspirators disperse, the prince embarks, and Redgauntlet becomes the prior of a monastery abroad. This is one of the inferior novels, but is redeemed by the character of Peter Peebles.—Sir W. Scott, Redgauntlet (1824).

Redgauntlet embodies a great deal of Scott's own personal history and experience.—Chambers, English Literature, ii. 589.

Redgauntlet (Sir Alberick), an ancestor of the family.

Sir Edward Redgauntlet, son of Sir Alberick; killed by his father's horse.

Sir Robert Redgauntlet, an old tory, mentioned in Wandering Willie's tale.

Sir John Redgauntlet, son and successor of Sir Robert, mentioned in Wandering Willie's tale.

Sir Redwald Redgauntlet, son of Sir John.

Sir Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, son of Sir Redwald.

Lady Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, wife of Sir Henry Darsie.

Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, alias Darsie Latimer, son of Sir Henry and Lady Darsie.

Miss Lilias Redgauntlet, alias Green-mantle, sister of Sir Arthur. She marries Allan Fairford.

Sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, the Jacobite conspirator. He is uncle to Darsie Latimer, and is called "Laird of the Lochs," alias "Mr. Herries of Birrenswark," alias "Master Ingoldsby."—Sir W. Scott, Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

Redi (Francis), an Italian physician and lyric poet. He was first physician to the grand-duke of Tuscany (1626-1698).

Even Redi, tho' he chanted Bacchus in the Tuscan valleys, Never drank the wine he vaunted In his dithyrambic sallies.

Longfellow, Drinking Song.

Redlaw (Mr.), the "haunted man." He was a professor of chemistry, who bargained with the spirit which haunted him to leave him, on condition of his imparting to others his own idiosyncrasies. From this moment the chemist carried with him the infection of sullenness, selfishness, discontent and ingratitude. On Christmas Day the infection ceased. Redlaw lost his morbid feelings, and all who suffered by his infection, being healed, were restored to love, mirth, benevolence and gratitude.—C. Dickens, The Haunted Man (1848).

Redmain (Sir Magnus), governor of the town of Berwick (fifteenth century).

He was remarkable for his long red beard, and was therefore called by the English "Magnus Red-beard," but by the Scotch, in derision, "Magnus Red-mane," as if his beard had been a horse-mane.—Godscroft, 178.

Redmond O'Neale, Rokeby's page, beloved by Rokeby's daughter, Matilda, whom he marries. He turns out to be Mortham's son and heir.—Sir W. Scott, Rokeby (1812).

Reece (Captain), R.N., of the Mantelpiece; adored by all his crew. They had feather-beds, warm slippers, hot-water cans, brown Windsor soap, and a valet to every four, for Captain Reece said, "It is my duty to make my men happy, and I will." Captain Reece had a daughter, ten female cousins, a niece and a ma, six sisters and an aunt or two, and, at the suggestion of William Lee, the coxswain, married these ladies to his crew—"It is my duty to make my men happy, and I will." Last of all, Captain Reece married the widowed mother of his coxswain, and they were all married on one day—"It was their duty, and they did it."—W. S. Gilbert, The Bab Ballads ("Captain Reece, R.N.").

Reeve's Tale (The). Symond Symkyn, a miller of Trompington, near Cambridge, used to serve "Soler Hall College," but was an arrant thief. Two scholars, Aleyn and John, undertook to see that a sack of corn sent to be ground was not tampered with; so one stood by the hopper, and one by the trough which received the flour. In the mean time the miller let their horse loose, and, when the young men went to catch it, purloined half a bushel of the flour, substituting meal instead. It was so late before the horse could be caught that the miller offered the two scholars a "shakedown" in his own chamber, but when they were in bed he began to belabor them unmercifully. A scuffle ensued, in which the miller, being tripped up, fell upon his wife. His wife, roused from her sleep, seized a stick, and, mistaking the bald pate of her husband for the night-cap of one of the young men, banged it so lustily that the man was almost stunned with the blows. In the mean time the two scholars made off without payment, taking with them the sack and also the half-bushel of flour, which had been made into cakes.—Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (1388).

[Asterism] Boccaccio has a similar story in his Decameron. It is also the subject of a fabliau entitled De Gombert et des Deux Clers. Chaucer borrowed his story from a fabliau given by Thomas Wright in his Anecdota Literaria, 15.

Reformation (The). It was in germ in the early Lollards, and was radiant in the works of Wycliffe.

It was present in the pulpit of Pierre de Bruys, in the pages of Arnoldo da Brescia, in the cell of Roger Bacon.

It was active in the field with Peter Revel, in the castle of Lord Cobham, in the pulpit with John Huss, in the camp with John Ziska, in the class-room of Pico di Mirandola, in the observatory of Abraham Zacuto, and the college of Antonio di Lebrija, and it burst into full light through Martin Luther.

Re'gan, second daughter of King Lear, and wife of the duke of Cornwall. Having received the half of her father's king-[TN-119] she refused to entertain him with his suite. On the death of her husband, she designed to marry Edmund, natural son of the earl of Gloster, and was poisoned by her elder sister, Goneril, out of jealousy. Regan, like Goneril, is proverbial for "filial ingratitude."—Shakespeare, King Lear (1605).

Regent Diamond (The). So called from the regent duke of Orleans. This diamond, the property of France, at first set in the crown, and then in the sword of state, was purchased in India by a governor of Madras, of whom the regent bought it for [pounds]80,000.

Regillus (The Battle of Lake). Regillus Lacus is about twenty miles east of Rome, between Gabii (north) and Lavīcum (south). The Romans had expelled Tarquin the Proud from the throne, because of the most scandalous conduct of his son Sextus, who had violated Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus. Thirty combined cities of Latium, with Sabines and Volscians, took the part of Tarquin, and marched towards Rome. The Romans met the allied army at the Lake Regillus, and here, on July 15, B.C. 499, they won the great battle which confirmed their republican constitution, and in which Tarquin, with his sons Sextus and Titus, was slain. While victory was still doubtful, Castor and Pollux, on their white horses, appeared to the Roman dictator, and fought for the Romans. The victory was complete, and ever after the Romans observed the anniversary of this battle with a grand procession and sacrifice. The procession started from the temple of Mars outside the city walls, entered by the Porta Capēna, traversed the chief streets of Rome, marched past the temple of Vesta in the Forum, and then to the opposite side of the "great square," where they had built a temple to Castor and Pollux in gratitude for the aid rendered by them in this battle. Here offerings were made, and sacrifice was offered to the Great Twin-Brothers, the sons of Leda. Macaulay has a lay, called The Battle of the Lake Regillus, on the subject.

Where, by the Lake Regillus, Under the Porcian height, All in the land of Tusculum, Was fought the glorious fight.

Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome (1842).

A very parallel case occurs in the life of Mahomet. The Koreishites had armed to put down "the prophet;" but Mahomet met them in arms, and on January 13, 624, won the famous battle of Bedr. In the Korân (ch. iii.), he tells us that the angel Gabriel, on his horse, Haïzûm, appeared on the field with 3000 "angels," and won the battle for him.

In the conquest of Mexico, we are told that St. James appeared on his grey horse at the head of the Castilian adventurers, and led them on to victory. Bernal Diaz, who was in the battle, saw the grey horse, but fancies the rider was Francesco de Morla, though, he confesses, "it might be the glorious apostle St. James" for aught he knew.

Regimen of the School of Salerno, a collection of precepts in Latin verse, written by John of Milan, a poet of the eleventh century, for Robert, the duke of Normandy.

A volume universally known As the "Regimen of the School of Salern."

Longfellow, The Golden Legend (1851).

Reginald Archer. A refined, debonnaire sensualist, courted by women and envied by men. He wooes and marries a gentle, pure heiress, and would, as her husband, break her heart were not the evil work cut short by his death at the hands of a man whose wife Reginald has lured from her allegiance to her lawful lord.—Anne Crane Seemuller, Reginald Archer (1865).

Region of Death, (Marovsthulli), Thurr, near Delhi, fatal, from some atmospheric influence, especially about sunset.

Regno (The), Naples.

Are our wiser heads leaning towards an alliance with the pope and the Regno?—George Eliot (Marian Evans).

Reg'ulus, a Roman general, who conquered the Carthaginians (B.C. 256), and compelled them to sue for peace. While negotiation was going on, the Carthaginians, joined by Xanthippos, the Lacedemonian, attacked the Romans at Tunis, and beat them, taking Regulus prisoner. The captive was sent to Rome to make terms of peace and demand exchange of prisoners, but he used all his influence with the senate to dissuade them from coming to terms with their foe. On his return to captivity, the Cathaginians[TN-120] cut off his eyelids and exposed him to the burning sun, then placed him in a barrel armed with nails, which was rolled up and down a hill till the man was dead.

[Asterism] This subject has furnished Pradon and Dorat with tragedies (French), and Metastasio, the Italian poet, with an opera called Regolo (1740).

"Regulus" was a favorite part of the French actor, François J. Talma.

Rehearsal (The), a farce by George Villiers, duke of Buckingham (1671). It was designed for a satire on the rhyming plays of the time. The chief character, Bayes (1 syl.), is meant for Dryden.

The name of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, demands cordial mention by every writer on the stage. He lived in an age when plays were chiefly written in rhyme, which served as a vehicle for foaming sentiment clouded by hyperbolê.... The dramas of Lee and Settle ... are made up of blatant couplets that emptily thundered through five long acts. To explode an unnatural custom by ridiculing it, was Buckingham's design in The Rehearsal, but in doing this the gratification of private dislike was a greater stimulus than the wish to promote the public good.—W. C. Russell, Representative Actors.

Reichel (Colonel), in Charles XII., by J. R. Planché (1826).

Rejected Addresses, parodies on Wordsworth, Cobbett, Southey, Scott, Coleridge, Crabbe, Byron, Theodore Hook, etc., by James and Horace Smith; the copyright after the sixteenth edition was purchased by John Murray, in 1819, for [pounds]131. The directors of Drury Lane Theatre had offered a premium for the best poetical address to be spoken at the opening of the new building, and the brothers Smith conceived the idea of publishing a number of poems supposed to have been written for the occasion and rejected by the directors (1812).

"I do not see why they should have been rejected," said a Leicestershire clergyman, "for I think some of them are very good."—James Smith.

Reksh, Sir Rustam's horse.

Relapse, (The), a comedy by Vanbrugh (1697). Reduced to three acts, and adapted to more modern times by Sheridan, under the title of A Trip to Scarborough (1777).

Rel'dresal, principal secretary for private affairs in the court of Lilliput, and great friend of Gulliver. When it was proposed to put the Man-mountain to death for high treason, Reldresal moved as an amendment, that the "traitor should have both his eyes put out, and be suffered to live that he might serve the nation."—Swift, Gulliver's Travels ("Voyage to Lilliput," 1726).

[Asterism] Probably the dean had the Bible story of Samson and the Philistines in his thoughts.

Relics. The following relics are worthy of note, if for no other reason, because of the immense number of pilgrims who are drawn to them from all parts of the world.

1. THE HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN. This is now to be seen at Loreto, a town on the Adriatic, near Ancona, whither it was miraculously transported through the air by angels in the year 1294. It had been originally brought from Nazareth to Dalmatia in 1291, but after resting there for three years was again lifted up and placed where it now stands. It is a small brick structure surrounded by a marble screen designed by Bramante and decorated with carvings and sculptures by a number of celebrated sculptors. The church in which the house stands was built over it to protect it shortly after its arrival.

2. THE HOLY COAT. This is the seamless coat worn by Jesus, and for which the soldiers drew lots at his crucifixion. It is described by John alone of the evangelists: "Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout." John 19, 23. It is preserved at Treves in the cathedral, and is shown at long intervals to the faithful, attracting vast crowds of pilgrims from all parts of Europe and America. It was last shown in 1891. The village of Argenteuil, near Paris, disputes with Treves the possession of the true garment, insisting on its own superior claim, but the right of Treves is generally acknowledged by Catholics.

3. THE HOLY FACE. According to the legend, when Jesus was on His way to Calvary, one of the women standing by, whose name was Veronica, seeing Him sinking under the weight of the cross, gave Him her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from His face. When He returned it the impression of His face was left upon the cloth, and remains distinctly to be seen at the present day.

4. THE SAINTE CHAPELLE at Paris, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Europe, was built as a shrine to contain the fragment of the true Cross and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns given by Louis IX. of France (Saint Louis). These relics have since been transferred to the Treasury of Notre Dame, at Paris. The church at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) also contains a fragment of the true Cross. In various churches of Italy, pictures of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by Saint Luke (a painter as well as a physician, and the patron saint of both professions) are preserved, but no one of them has any fame above the rest.

Remember, Thou Art Mortal! When a Roman conqueror entered the city in triumph, a slave was placed in the chariot to whisper from time to time into the ear of the conqueror, "Remember, thou art a man!"

Vespasian, the Roman emperor, had a slave who said to him daily as he left his chamber, "Remember, thou art a man!"

In the ancient Egyptian banquets it was customary during the feast to draw a mummy, in a car, round the banquet hall, while one uttered aloud, "To this estate you must come at last!"

When the sultan of Serendib (i.e. Ceylon) went abroad, his vizier cried aloud, "This is the great monarch, the tremendous sultan of the Indies ... greater than Solimo or the grand Mihragê!" An officer behind the monarch then exclaimed, "This monarch, though so great and powerful, must die, must die, must die!"—Arabian Nights ("Sindbad," sixth voyage).

Remois (2 syl.), the people of Rheims, in France.

Remond, a shepherd in Britannia's Pastorals, by William Browne (1613).

Remond, young Remond, that full well could sing, And tune his pipe at Pan's birth carolling; Who, for his nimble leaping, sweetest layes, A laurell garland wore on holidayes; In framing of whose hand Dame Nature swore, There never was his like, nor should be more.

Pastoral, i.

Rem'ores, birds which retard the execution of a project.

"Remores" aves in auspicio dicuntur quae acturum aliquid remorari compellunt.—Festus, De VerborumSignificatione.[TN-121]

Remus. (See ROMULUS AND REMUS.)

Remus (Uncle). Hero of many of Joel Chandler Harris's tales of negro-life. His fables of "Brer Rabbit," "Brer Bear," and the like are curious relics of African folk-lore (1886).

Re'naud, one of the paladins of Charlemagne, always described with the properties of a borderer, valiant, alert, ingenious, rapacious, and unscrupulous. Better known in the Italian form Rinaldo (q.v.).

Renault, a Frenchman, and one of the chief conspirators in which Pierre was concerned. When Jaffier joined the conspiracy, he gave his wife, Belvide'ra, as surety of his fidelity, and a dagger to be used against her if he proved unfaithful. Renault attempted the honor of the lady, and Jaffier took her back in order to protect her from such insults. The old villain died on the wheel, and no one pitied him.—T. Otway, Venice Preserved (1682).

René, the old king of Provence, father of Queen Margaret of Anjou (wife of Henry VI. of England). A minstrel-monarch, friend to the chase and tilt, poetry, and music. Thiebault says he gave in largesses to knights-errant and minstrels more than he received in revenue (ch. xxix.).—Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).

René (2 syl.), the hero and title of a romance by Châteaubriand (1801). It was designed for an episode to his Génie du Christianisme (1802). René is a man of social inaction, conscious of possessing a superior genius, but his pride produces in him a morbid bitterness of spirit.

René [LEBLANC], notary public of Grand Pré, in Arcadia (Nova Scotia). Bent with age, but with long yellow hair flowing over his shoulders. He was the father of twenty children, and had a hundred grandchildren. When Acadia was ceded by the French to England, George II. confiscated the goods of the simple colonists, and drove them into exile. René went to Pennsylvania, where he died, and was buried.—Longfellow, Evangeline (1849).

Renton (Dr.). A Boston physician, whose best friend, dying, leaves a letter charging Renton, "In the name of the Saviour, be true and tender to mankind." The doctor believes himself to be haunted by the ghost of this man, intent upon inforcing the admonition, and the needy and the afflicted profit by the hallucination.—William D. O'Connor, The Ghost.

Rentowel (Mr. Jabesh), a covenanting preacher.—Sir W. Scott, Waverley (time, George II.).

With vehemence of some pulpit-drumming Gowkthrapple, or "precious" Mr. Jabesh Rentowel.—Carlyle.

Renzo and Lucia, the hero and heroine of an Italian novel by Alessandro Manzoni, entititled[TN-122] The Betrothed Lover ("I Promessi Sposi"). This novel contains an account of the Bread Riot and plague of Milan. Cardinal Borro'meo is also introduced. There is an English translation (1827).

Republican Queen, (The), Sophie Charlotte, wife of Frederick I. of Prussia.

Resequenz, wily major-domo to the duke of Romagna, audacious, unscrupulous and treacherous.—William Waldorf Astor, Valentino (1886).

Resolute (The), John Florio, philologist (1545?-1625). Translated Montaigne's Essays and wrote a French and English Dictionary called a World of Words. One of the few autographs of Shakespeare is in a copy of Florio's Montaigne in the British Museum.

[Asterism] Florio is said to have been the prototype of Shakespeare's "Holofernês," in Love's Labour's Lost.

Resolute Doctor (The), John Baconthorpe (*-1346).

[Asterism] Guillaume Durandus de St. Pourçain was called "the Most Resolute Doctor[TN-123] (1267-1332).

Restless (Sir John), the suspicious husband of a suspicious wife.

Lady Restless, wife of Sir John. As she has a fixed idea that her husband is inconstant, she is always asking the servants, "Where is Sir John?" "Is Sir John returned?" "Which way did Sir John go?" "Has Sir John received any letters?" "Who has called?" etc.; and, whatever the answer, it is to her a confirmation of her surmises.—A. Murphy, All in the Wrong (1761).

Reuben Dixon, a village schoolmaster of "ragged lads."

'Mid noise, and dirt, and stench, and play, and prate, He calmly cuts the pen or views the slate.

Crabbe, Borough, xxiv. (1810).

Reuben and Seth, servants of Nathan ben Israel, the Jew at Ashby, a friend of Isaac and Rebecca.—Sir W. Scott, Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Reullu'ra (i.e. "beautiful star"), the wife of Aodh, one of the Culdees, or primitive clergy of Scotland, who preached the gospel of God in Io'na, an island south of Staffa. Here Ulvfa'gre, the Dane, landed, and, having put all who opposed him to death, seized Aodh, bound him in iron, carried him to the church, and demanded where the treasures were concealed. Just then appeared a mysterious figure all in white, who first unbound Aodh, and then taking the Dane by the arm, led him up to the statue of St. Columb, which immediately fell and crushed him to death. Then turning to the Norsemen, the same mysterious figure told them to "go back and take the bones of their chief with them;" adding, whoever lifted hand in the island again, should be a paralytic for life. "The[TN-124] "saint" then transported the remnant of the islanders to Ireland; but when search was made for Reullura, her body was in the sea, and her soul in heaven.—Campbell, Reullura.

Reutha'mir, the principal man of Balclutha, a town belonging to the Britons on the river Clyde. His daughter, Moina, married Clessammor (Fingal's uncle on the mother's side). Reuthamir was killed by Combal (Fingal's father) when he attacked Balcutha and burned it to the ground.—Ossian, Carthon.

Reutner (Karl), young German, serving in the Federal army, finds, on the Gettysburg battle-field, a four-leafed clover, and waves it in the air. The gesture attracts a sharp-shooter, and Reutner falls insensible. He is taken from hospital to prison, and languishes for weeks, in delirium, all the while haunted by a vision of a woman, dark-eyed and beautiful, who brings him handfuls of four-leaved clover. When he reaches home, he recognizes her in Margaret Warren, a guest in his father's house. The betrothal-ring bears a four-leaved clover of green enamel, set in diamonds.—Helen Hunt Jackson, A Four-Leaved Clover (1886).

Rev'eller (Lady), cousin of Valeria, the blue-stocking. Lady Reveller is very fond of play, but ultimately gives it up, and is united to Lord Worthy.—Mrs. Centlivre, The Basset Table (1706).

Revenge (The), a tragedy by Edward Young (1721). (For the plot, see ZANGA.)

Revenge (The), the ship under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, anchored at Flores, in the Azores, when a fleet of fifty-three Spanish ships hove in sight. Lord Thomas Howard, with six men-of-war, sailed off; but Sir Richard stood his ground. He had only a hundred men, but with this crew and his one ship, he encountered the Spanish fleet. The fight was very obstinate. Some of the Spanish ships were sunk, and many shattered; but Sir Richard at length was wounded, and the surgeon shot while dressing the wound. "Sink the ship, master gunner!" cried Sir Richard; "sink the ship, and let her not fall into the hands of Spain!" But the crew were obliged to yield, and Sir Richard died. The Spaniards were amazed at Grenville's pluck, and gave him all honors, as they cast his body into the sea. The Revenge was then manned by Spaniards, but never reached the Spanish coast, for it was wrecked in a tempest, and went down with all hands aboard.—Tennyson, The Revenge, a ballad of the fleet (1878).

[Asterism] This sea-fight is the subject of one of Froude's essays.

Canon Kingsley has introduced it in Westward Ho! where he gives a description of Sir Richard Grenville.

Lord Bacon says the fight "was memorable even beyond credit, and to the height of heroic fable."

Mr. Arber published three interesting contemporary documents relating to The Revenge, by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Gervase Markham wrote a long poem on the subject (two hundred stanzas of eight lines each).

Revenge (The Palace of), a palace of crystal, provided with everything agreeable to life except the means of going out of it. The fairy Pagan made it, and when Imis rejected his suit because she loved Prince Philax, he shut them up in this palace out of revenge. At the end of a few years Pagan had his revenge, for Philax and Imis longed as eagerly for a separation as they had once done to be united.—Comtesse D'Aunoy, Fairy Tales ("Palace of Revenge," 1682).