Chapter 6

Stonehenge, once thought a temple, you have foundA throne, where kings, our earthly gods, were crowned.Dryden,Epistles, ii.

Stonehenge, once thought a temple, you have found

A throne, where kings, our earthly gods, were crowned.

Dryden,Epistles, ii.

Stonehenge a Trophy.It is said, in the Welsh triads, that this circle of stones was erected by the Britons to commemorate the “treachery of the Long Knives,”i.e., a conference to which the chief of the British warriors were invited by Hengist, at Ambresbury. Beside each chief a Saxon was seated, armed with a long knife, and at a given signal each Saxon slew his Briton. As many as 460 British nobles thus fell, but Eidiol, earl of Gloucester, after slaying seventy Saxons (some say 660), made his escape.--Welsh Triads.

Stonehenge was erected by Merlin, at the command of Ambrosius, in memory of the plot of the “Long-Knives,” when 300 British chiefswere treacherously massacred by Vortigern. He built it on the site of a former circle. It deviates from older bardic circles, as may be seen by comparing it with Avebury, Stanton-Drew, Keswick, etc. It is called “The Work ofAmbrosius.”Ambrosius.”--Cambrian Biography, art. “Merddin.”

⁂Mont Dieu, a solitary mound close to Dumfermline, owes its origin, according to story, to some unfortunate monks, who, by way of penance, carried the sand in baskets, from the sea-shore at Inverness.

At Linton is a fine conical hill, attributed to two sisters (nuns), who were compelled to pass the whole of the sand through a sieve, by way of penance, to obtain pardon for some crime committed by their brother.

The Gog Magog Hills, near Cambridge, are ascribed to his Satanic majesty.

Stonewall Jackson, Thomas Jonathan Jackson, general in the Southern army, in the great civil war of the United States. General Bee suggested the name in the battle of Bull Run (1861). “There is Jackson,” said he to his men, “standing like a stone wall” (1824-1863).

Storm-and-Stress Period.The last quarter of the eighteenth century was called in Germany theSturm-und-Drang Zeit, because every one seemed in a fever to shake off the shackles of government, custom, prestige, and religion. The poets raved in volcanic rant or moonshine sentimentality; marriage was disregarded; law, both civil and divine, was pooh-poohed. Goethe’sMan with the Iron HandandSorrows of Werther, Schiller’sRobbers, Klinger’s tragedies, Lessing’s criticisms, the mania for Shakespeare and Ossian, revolutionized the literature; and the cry went forth for untrammelled freedom, which was nicknamed “Nature.” As well go unclad, and call it nature.

Storms(Cape of). The Cape of Good Hope was called by Bartholomew DiazCabo Tormentosoin 1486; but King John II. of Portugal gave it its present more auspicious name.

S.T.P., the initials of Sanctæ Theologiæ Professor: Professor of Sacred Theology. The same as D.D., Divinitatis Doctor: Doctor of Divinity.

Stradiva´rius(Antonius), born at Cremo´na, in Italy (1670-1728). He was a pupil of Andreas Amāti. The Amati family, with Stradivarius and his pupil, Guarnerius (all of Cremona), were the most noted violin-makers that ever lived, insomuch that the word “Cremona” is synonymous for a first-rate violin.

The instrument on which he playedWas in Cremona’s workshop made ...The maker from whose hands it cameHad written his unrivalled name--“Antonius Stradivarius.”Longfellow,The Wayside Inn(prelude, 1863).

The instrument on which he played

Was in Cremona’s workshop made ...

The maker from whose hands it came

Had written his unrivalled name--

“Antonius Stradivarius.”

Longfellow,The Wayside Inn(prelude, 1863).

Strafford, an historical tragedy by R. Browning (1836). This drama contains portraits of Charles I., the earl of Strafford, Hampden, John Pym, Sir Harry Vane, etc., both truthful and graphic. The subject of the drama is the attainder and execution of Thomas Wentworth, earl of Strafford.

Straitlace(Dame Philippa), the maiden aunt of Blushington. She is very much surprised to find her nephew entertaining dinner company, and still more so that he is about to take a young wife to keep house for him instead of herself.--W. T. Moncrieff,The Bashful Man.

Stral´enheim(Count of), a kinsmanof Werner, who hunted him from place to place, with a view of cutting him off, because he stood between him and the inheritance of Siegendorf. This mean, plausible, overreaching nobleman was by accident lodged under the same roof with Werner, while on his was to Siegendorf. Here Werner robbed him of a rouleau of gold, and next night Ulric (Werner’s son) murdered him.

Ida Stralenheim, one of the characters in Byron’s drama,Werner(1822). She was the daughter of Count Stralenheim, and was betrothed to Ulric, for whom she had a deep affection, but when she learned from the lips of Ulric himself that he was the murderer of her father she fell senseless at his feet, and revived only to learn that he had fled the country, and that she had lost him forever.

Stranger(The), the Count Waldbourg. He married Adelaide at the age of 16; she had two children by him, and then eloped. The count, deserted by his young wife, lived a roving life, known only as “The Stranger;” and his wife, repenting of her folly, under the assumed name of Mrs. Haller, entered the service of the Countess Wintersen, whose affection she secured. In three years’ time, “the stranger” came by accident into the same neighborhood, and a reconciliation took place.

Kotzebue’sMenschenhasz und Rene(1787). English adaptation:The Stranger(1808).

Strangford(Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, viscount), in 1803, published a translation of the poems of Camoens, the great Portuguese poet.

Hibernian Strangford ...Thinkst thou to gain thy verse a higher place.By dressing Camoens in a suit of lace?...Cease to deceive; thy pilfered harp restore,Nor teach the Lusian bard to copy Moore.Byron,English Bards and Scotch Reviewers(1809).

Hibernian Strangford ...

Thinkst thou to gain thy verse a higher place.

By dressing Camoens in a suit of lace?...

Cease to deceive; thy pilfered harp restore,

Nor teach the Lusian bard to copy Moore.

Byron,English Bards and Scotch Reviewers(1809).

Strap(Hugh), a simple, generous, and disinterested adherent of Roderick Random. His generosity and fidelity, however, meet with but a base return from the heartless libertine.--T. Smollett,Roderick Random(1748).

We believe there are few readers who are not disgusted with the miserable reward assigned to Strap in the closing chapter of the novel. Five hundred pounds (scarce the value of the goods he had presented to his master) and the hand of a reclaimed street-walker, even when added to a Highland farm, seem but a poor recompense for his faithful and disinterested attachment.--Sir W. Scott.

Strasbourg Cathedral, designed by Erwin von Steinbach (1015-1439).

Strauchan(Old), the squire of Sir Kenneth.--Sir W. Scott,The Talisman(time, Richard I.).

Straw.A little straw shows which way the wind blows.

You know or don’t know, that great Bacon saith,Fling up a straw, ’twill show the way the wind blows.Byron,Don Juan, xiv. 8 (1824).

You know or don’t know, that great Bacon saith,

Fling up a straw, ’twill show the way the wind blows.

Byron,Don Juan, xiv. 8 (1824).

Streets of London(The), a drama by Dion Boucicault (1862), adapted from the French playLes Pauvres des Paris.

Stre´mon, a soldier, famous for his singing.--Beaumont and Fletcher,The Mad Lover(1617).

Strephon, the shepherd in Sir Philip Sidney’sArcadia, who makes love to the beautiful Uranĭa (1580). It is a stock name for a lover, Chloê being usually the corresponding lady.

Captain O’Flarty was one of my dying Strephons at Scarborough. I have a very grate regard for him, and must make him a little miserable with my happiness.--Garrick,The Irish Widow, i. 3 (1757).

The servant of your Strephon ... is my lord and master.--Garrick,Miss in Her Teens(1753).

Stretton(Hesba), the pseudonym of Miss Smith, daughter of a bookseller and printer in Wellington, Salop, authoress of several well-known religious novels.

Strickalthrow(Merciful), in Cromwell’s troop.--Sir W. Scott,Woodstock(time, Commonwealth).

Strictland(Mr.), the “suspicious husband,” who suspects Clarinda, a young lady visitor, of corrupting his wife; suspects Jacintha, his ward, of lightness; and suspects his wife of infidelity; but all his suspicions being proved groundless, he promises reform.

Mrs. Strictland, wife of Mr. Strictland, a model of discretion and good nature. She not only gives no cause of jealousy to her husband, but never even resents his suspicions or returns ill temper in the same coin.--Dr. Hoadly,The Suspicious Husband(1747).

Strike, Dakyns! the Devil’s in the Hempe, the motto of the Dakynses. The reference is to an enemy of the king, who had taken refuge in a pile of hemp. Dakyns, having nosed the traitor, was exhorted to strike him with his battle-axe, and kill him, which he did. Hence the crest of the family--a dexter arm ... holding a battle-axe.

Strong(Dr.), a benevolent old schoolmaster, to whom David Copperfield was sent whilst living with Mr. Wickfield. The old doctor doted on his young wife, Annie, and supported her scapegrace cousin, Jack Maldon.--C. Dickens,David Copperfield(1849).

Strong Men and Women.

Antæos, Atlas, Dorsănês, the Indian Herculês, Guy, earl of Warwick, Herculês, Macĕris, son of Amon, Rustam, the Persian Herculês, Samson, Starchatĕrus, the Swede (first Christian century).

Brown(Miss Phœbe), about five feet, six inches in height, well proportioned, round-faced and ruddy. She could carry fourteen score, and could lift a hundredweight with each hand at the same time. She was fond of poetry and music, and her chief food was milk.--W. Hutton.

Milo, of Crotōna, could carry on his shoulders a four-year-old bullock, and kill it with a single blow of his fist. On one occasion, the pillar which supported the roof of a house gave way, and Milo held up the whole weight of the building with his hands.

Polyd´amas, the athlete. He killed a lion with a blow of his fist, and could stop a chariot in full career with one hand.

Topham(Thomas) of London (1710-1749). He could lift three hogsheads, or 1836 lbs.; could heave a horse over a turnpike gate; and could lift two hundredweight with his little finger.

Strongback, one of the seven attendants of Fortunio. He could never be overweighted, and could fell a forest in a few hours without fatigue.--Comtesse D’Aunoy,Fairy Tales(“Fortunio,” 1682).

The brothers Grimm have introduced the tale of “Fortunio” in theirGoblins.

Strongbow, Gilbert de Clare, who succeeded to the title of his brother, theearl of Hertford, in 1138, and was created earl of Pembroke (died 1149).

Henry II. called him a “false” or “pseudo-earl.”

Strongbow(Richard of Strigal) was Richard de Clare, earl of Pembroke, son of Gilbert de Clare. He succeeded Dermot, king of Leinster, hiss father-in-law, in 1170, and died 1176.

The earl of Strigale then, our Strongbow, first that wonWild Ireland with the sword.Drayton,Polyolbion, xviii. (1613).

The earl of Strigale then, our Strongbow, first that won

Wild Ireland with the sword.

Drayton,Polyolbion, xviii. (1613).

Struldbrugs, the inhabitants of Luggnagg, who never die.

He had reached that period of life ... which ... entitles a man to admission into the ancient order of Struldbrugs.--Swift,Gulliver’s Travels“Laputa,”(1726)(1726).

Strutt(Lord), the king of Spain; originally Charles II. (who died without issue), but also applied to his successor, Philippe, duc d’Anson, called “Philip, Lord Strutt.”

I need not tell you of the great quarrels that happened in our neighborhood since the death of the late Lord Strutt; how the parson [Cardinal Portocarero] ... got him to settle his estate upon his cousin, Philip Baboon [Bourbon], to the great disappointment of his cousin, Squire South [Charles of Austria].--Dr. Arbuthnot,History of John Bull, i (1712).

Stryver(Bully), of the King’s Bench Bar, counsel for the defence in Darnay’s trial.

He was stout, loud, red, bluff, and free from any drawback of delicacy; had a pushing way of shouldering himself (morally and physically) into companies and conversations, that argued well for his shouldering his way on in life.--C. Dickens,A Tale of Two Cities, ii. 24 (1859).

Stuart Ill-Fated(The House of), as that of Œdĭpos.

James I.of Scotland, poet, murdered by conspirators at Perth, in the forty-fourth year of his age (1393, 1424-1437).

James II., his son, killed at the siege of Roxburgh, aged 30 (1430, 1437-1460).

James III., his son, was stabbed in his flight from Bannockburn by a pretended priest, aged 36 (1452, 1460-1488).

(His brother, the earl of Mar, was imprisoned in 1477, and died in durance, 1480.)

James IV., his son, the “Chivalrous Madman,” was defeated and slain at Flodden, aged 41 (1472, 1488-1513).

James V., his son, was defeated at Solway Moss, November 25, and died of grief, December 14, aged 30 (1512, 1513-1542).

Mary Queen of Scots, daughter of James V., was beheaded, aged 44 years, 63 days (1542, 1542-1587, Old Style).

(Her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, was murdered (1541-1566). Her niece, Arabella Stuart, died insane in the Tower, 1575-1615.)

Charles I., her grandson, was beheaded, aged 48 years, 69 days (1600, 1625-1649).

Charles II., his son, was in exile from 1645 to 1661, and in 1665 occurred the Great Fire of London, in 1666 the Great Plague; died aged 54 years, 253 days (1630, 1661-1685).

(His natural son, the Duke of Monmouth, defeated at Sedgemoor, July 5, 1685, was executed as a traitor, July 15, aged36.)36.)

James II., brother of Charles, and son of Charles I., was obliged to abdicate to save his life, and died in exile (1633, reigned 1685-1688, died a pensioner of Louis XIV., 1701).

James Francis Edward“the Luckless,” his son, called the “Old Pretender,” was a mere cipher. His son, Charles, came to England to proclaim him king, but was defeated at Culloden, leaving 3000 dead on the field (1688-1765).

Charles Edward, the “Young Pretender,” was son of the “Old Pretender.” After the defeat of his adherents at Culloden he fled to France, was banished from that kingdom, and died at Rome (1720-1788).

Henry Benedict, Cardinal York, the last of the race, was a pensioner of George III.

Stuart of Italy(The Mary), Jane I. of Naples (1327, 1343-1382).

Jane married her cousin, Andrè of Hungary, who was assassinated two years after his marriage, when the widow married the assassin. So Mary Stuart married her cousin, Lord Darnley, 1565, who was murdered, 1567, and the widow married Bothwell, the assassin.

Jane fled to Provence, 1347, and was strangled in 1382. So Mary Stuart fled to England in 1568, and was put to death, 1587 (Old Style).

Jane, like Mary, was remarkable for her great beauty, her brilliant court, her voluptuousness, and the men of genius she drew around her; and, like Mary, she was also noted for her deplorable administration.

⁂ La Harpe wrote a tragedy calledJeanne de Naples(1765). Schiller made an adaptation of it (1821).

Stuarts’ Fatal Number(The). This number is 88.

James III. was killed in flight near Bannockburn, 1488.

Mary Stuart was beheaded, 1588 (New Style).

James II. of England was dethroned, 1688.

Charles Edward died, 1788.

⁂ James Stuart, the “Old Pretender,” was born, 1688, the very year that his father abdicated.

James Stuart, the famous architect, died, 1788.

(Some affirm that Robert II., the first Stuart king, died 1388, the year of the great battle of Otterbum; but the death of this king is more usually fixed in the spring of 1390.)

Stuart(Jack), frank, brave, unintellectual lover of Constance Varley, and one of the travelling-party in the Holy Land. Through a fatal combination of misunderstandings, the man she has loved for years leaves her without uttering the words that burned upon his tongue, and the lonely-hearted girl turns for comfort to the assured, patient affection of the honest fellow who makes no secret of his devotion. Constance Varley marries Jack Stuart.--Julia Constance Fletcher,Mirage(1878).

Stubble(Reuben), bailiff to Farmer Cornflower, rough in manner, severe in discipline, a stickler for duty, “a plain, upright, and downright man,” true to his master and to himself.--C. Dibdin,The Farmer’s Wife(1780).

Stubbs, the beadle at Willingham. The Rev. Mr. Staunton was the rector.--Sir W. Scott,Heart of Midlothian(time, George II.).

Stubbs(Miss Sissly or Cecilia), daughter of Squire Stubbs, one of Waverley’s neighbors.--Sir W. Scott,Waverley(time, George II.).

Stuffy(Matthew), an applicant to Velinspeck, a country manager, for a situation as prompter, for which he says he is peculiarly qualified by that affection of the eyes vulgarly called a squint, which enables him to keep one eye on the performance and the other on the book at thesame time.--Charles Mathews,At Home(1818).

Stuffy is one of the richest bits of humor we ever witnessed. His endless eulogies upon the state of things in the immortal Garrick’s time are highly ludicrous.--Contemporary Paper.

Stuke´ly(2syl.), a detestable man. “’Twould be as easy to make him honest as brave” (act i. 2). He pretends to be the friend of Beverley, but cheats him. He aspires to the hand of Miss Beverley, who is in love with Lewson.--Edward Moore,The Gamester(1753).

Stukeley(Will), the companion of Little John. In the morris-dance on May-day, Little John used to occupy the right hand side of Robin Hood, and Will Stukely the left. (SeeStutly.)

Stukely(Captain Harry), nephew of Sir Gilbert Pumpkin of Strawberry Hall.--I. Jackman,All the World’s a Stage.

Stupid Boy(The), St. Thomas Aquinas; also called at school “The Dumb Ox” (1224-1274).

Sturgeon(Major), J.P., “the fishmonger from Brentford,” who turned volunteer. This bragging major makes love to Mrs. Jerry Sneak.--S. Foote,The Mayor of Garratt(1763).

We had some desperate duty, Sir Jacob ... such marchings and counter-marchings, from Brentford to Ealing, from Ealing to Acton, from Acton to Uxbridge. Why, there was our last expedition to Hounslow; that day’s work carried off Major Molossas.... But to proceed. On we marched, the men all in high spirits, to attack the gibbet where Gardel is hanging; but, turning down a narrow lane to the left, as it might be about there, in order to possess a pigstye, that we might take the gallows in flank and secure a retreat, who should come by but a drove of fat oxen for Smithfield. The drums beat in front, the dogs barked in the rear, the oxen set up a gallop; on they came, thundering upon us, broke through our ranks in an instant, and threw the whole corps into confusion.--Act i. 1.

Sturmthal(Melchoir), the banneret of Berne, one of the Swiss deputies.--Sir W. Scott,Anne of Geierstein(time, Edward IV.).

Stutly(Will), sometimes calledWill Stukely, a companion of Little John. In the morris-dance on May-day, Little John occupied the right hand side of Robin Hood, and Will Stutly the left. His rescue from the sheriff of [Notts.] by Robin Hood forms the subject of one of the Robin Hood Ballads.

When Robin Hood in the greenwood lived,Under the greenwood tree,Tidings there came to him with speed,Tidings for certaintie,That Will Stutley surprisëd was,And eke in prison lay;Three varlets that the sheriff hired,Did likely him betray.Robin Hood’s Rescuing Will Stutly, iv. 15.

When Robin Hood in the greenwood lived,

Under the greenwood tree,

Tidings there came to him with speed,

Tidings for certaintie,

That Will Stutley surprisëd was,

And eke in prison lay;

Three varlets that the sheriff hired,

Did likely him betray.

Robin Hood’s Rescuing Will Stutly, iv. 15.

Stuyvesant(Peter).

“If, from all I have said, thou dost not gather, worthy reader, that Peter Stuyvesant was a tough, sturdy, valiant, weather-beaten, mettlesome, obstinate, leather-sided, lion-hearted, generous-spirited old governor, either I have written to but little purpose, or thou art very dull at drawing conclusions.”--Diedrich Knickerbocker (Washington Irving),A History of New York(1809).

Styles(TomorJohn), orTom o’ Styles, a phrase name at one time used by lawyers in actions of ejectment. Jack Noakes and Tom Styles used to act in law the part that N or M acts in the church. The legal fiction has been abolished.

I have no connection with the company further than giving them, for a certain fee and reward,my poor opinion as a medical man, precisely as I may give it to Jack Noakes or Tom Styles.--Dickens.

⁂ Tom Styles, Jack Noakes, John Doe, and Richard Roe, are all Mrs. Harrises of the legal profession,nomina et præterea nihil.

Subtle, the “alchemist,” an artful quack, who pretends to be on the eve of discovering the philosopher’s stone. Sir Epicure Mammon, a rich knight, is his principal dupe, but by no means his only one.--Ben Jonson,The Alchemist(1610).

Subtle, an Englishman settled in Paris. He earns a living by the follies of his countrymen who visit the gay capital.

Mrs. Subtle, wife of Mr. Subtle, and a help-meet for him.--Foote,The Englishman in Paris(1753).

Subtle Doctor(The), Duns Scotus, famous for his metaphysical speculations in theology (1265-1308).

Subvolvans, inhabitants of the moon, in everlasting strife with the Privolvans. The former live under ground in cavities, “eight miles deep and eighty round;” the latter on “the upper ground.” Every summer the under-ground lunatics come to the surface to attack the “grounders,” but at the approach of winter slink back again into their holes.--S. Butler,The Elephant in the Moon(1754).

Such Things Are, a comedy by Mrs. Inchbald (1786). The scene lies in India, and the object of the play is to represent the tyranny of the oldrégime, and the good influence of the British element, represented by Haswell, the royal physician. The main feature is an introduction to the dungeons, and the infamous neglect of the prisoners, amongst whom is Arabella, the sultan’s beloved English wife, whom he has been searching for unsuccessfully for fifteen years. Haswell receives the royal signet, and is entrusted with unlimited power by the sultan.

Suckfist(Lord), defendant in the great Pantagruelian lawsuit, known as “Lord Busqueuev.Lord Suckfist,” in which the plaintiff and defendant pleaded in person. After hearing the case, the bench declared, “We have not understood one single circumstance of the matter on either side.” But Pantagruel gave judgment, and as both plaintiff and defendant left the court fully persuaded that the verdict was in his own favor, they were both highly satisfied, “a thing without parallel in the annals of the law.”--Rabelais,Pantagruel, ii. 11-13 (1533).

Suddlechop(Benjamin), “the most renowned barber in all Fleet Street.” A thin, half-starved creature.

Dame Ursula Suddlechop, the barber’s wife. “She could contrive interviews for lovers, and relieve frail fair ones of the burden of a guilty passion.” She had been a pupil of Mrs. Turner, and learnt of her the secret of making yellow starch, and two or three other prescriptions more lucrative still. The dame was scarcely 40 years of age, of full form and comely features, with a joyous, good-humored expression.

Dame Ursula had acquaintances ... among the quality, and maintained her intercourse ... partly by driving a trade in perfumes, essences, pomades, head-gears from France, not to mention drugs of various descriptions, chiefly for the use of ladies, and partly by other services, more or less connected with the esoteric branches of her profession.--Sir W. Scott,Fortunes of Nigel, viii. (time, James I.).

Suds(Mrs.), any washerwoman or laundress.

Suicides from Books.

Cleom´brotos, the Academic philosopher, killed himself after reading Plato’sPhædon, that he might enjoy the happiness of the future life, so enchantingly described.

Fräulein von Lassbergdrowned herself in spleen, after reading Goethe’sSorrows of Werther.

Sulin-Sifad´da, one of the two steeds of Cuthullin, general of the Irish tribes. The name of the other was Dusronnal.

Before the right side of the car is seen the snorting horse; the high-maned, broad-breasted, proud, wide-leaping, strong steed of the hill. Loud and resounding is his hoof; the spreading of his mane above is like a stream of smoke on a ridge of rocks. Bright are the sides of his steed. His name is Sulin-Sifadda.--Ossian,Fingal, i.

Dusronnal snorted over the bodies of heroes.Sifadda bathed his hoof in blood.--Ditto.

Dusronnal snorted over the bodies of heroes.

Sifadda bathed his hoof in blood.--Ditto.

Sulky(Mr.), executor of Mr. Warren, and partner in Dornton’s bank. With a sulky, grumpy exterior, he has a kind heart, and is strictly honest. When Dornton is brought to the brink of ruin by his son’s extravagance, Sulky comes nobly forward to the rescue. (SeeSilky.)--T. Holcroft,The Road to Ruin(1792).

And oh! for monopoly. What a blest day,When the lank and the silk shall, in fond combination(Like Sulky and Silky, that pair in the play).Cry out with one voice for “high rents” and “starvation!”T. Moore,Ode to the Goddess Ceres(1806).

And oh! for monopoly. What a blest day,

When the lank and the silk shall, in fond combination

(Like Sulky and Silky, that pair in the play).

Cry out with one voice for “high rents” and “starvation!”

T. Moore,Ode to the Goddess Ceres(1806).

Sullen(Squire), son of Lady Bountiful by her first husband. He married the sister of Sir Charles Freeman, but after fourteen months, their tempers and dispositions were found so incompatible that they mutually agreed to a divorce.

He says little, thinks less, and does nothing at all. Faith! but he’s a man of great estate, and values nobody.--Act i. 1.

Parson Trulliber, Sir Wilful Witwould, Sir Francis Wronghead, Squire Western, Squire Sullen--such were the people who composed the main strength of the tory party for sixty years after the Revolution.--Lord Macaulay.

⁂ “Parson Trulliber,” inJoseph Andrews(by Fielding); “Sir Wilful Witwould,” inThe Way of the World(Congreve); “Sir Francis Wronghead,” inThe Provoked Husband(by Cibber); “Squire Western,” inTom Jones(by Fielding).

Mrs. Sullen, sister of Sir Charles Freeman, and wife of Squire Sullen. They had been married fourteen months, when they agreed mutually to a separation, for in no one single point was there any compatibility between them. The squire was sullen, the lady sprightly; he could not drink tea with her, and she could not drink ale with him; he hated ombre and picquet, she hated cock-fighting and racing; he would not dance, and she would not hunt. Mrs. Sullen liked Archer, friend of Thomas Viscount Aimwell, both fortune-hunters; and Squire Sullen, when he separated from his wife, was obliged to resign the £20,000, which he received with her as a dowry.--George Farquhar,The Beaux’ Stratagem(1707).

Sul-Malla, daughter of Conmor, king of Inis-Huna and his wife, Clun-galo. Disguised as a warrior, Sul-Malla follows Cathmor to the war; but Cathmor, walking his round, discovers Sul-Malla asleep, falls in love with her, but exclaims, “This is no time for love.” He strikes his shield to rouse the host to battle, and is slain byFingal. The sequel of Sul-Malla is not given.

Clun-galo came. She missed the maid. “Where art thou, beam of light? Hunters from the mossy rock, saw you the blue-eyed fair? Are her steps on grassy Lumon, near the bed of roses? Ah, me! I beheld her bow in the hall. Where art thou, beam of light?”--Ossian,Temora, vi. (Set to music by Sir H. Bishop.)

Summerson(Esther). (SeeEsther Hawdon.)

Summons to Death.

Jacques Molay, grand-master of the Knights Templars, as he was led to the stake, summoned the Pope (Clement V.) within forty days, and the king (Philippe IV.) within forty weeks to appear before the throne of God to answer for his murder. They both died within the stated time.

Montreal d’Albano, called “Fra Moriale,” knight of St. John of Jerusalem, and captain of the Grand Company in the fourteenth century, when sentenced to death by Rienzi, summoned him to follow within the month. Rienzi was within the month killed by the fickle mob.

PeterandJohn de Carvajal, being condemned to death on circumstantial evidence alone, appealed, but without success, to Ferdinand IV. of Spain. On their way to execution, they declared their innocence, and summoned the king to appear before God within thirty days. Ferdinand was quite well on the thirtieth day, but was found dead in his bed next morning.

George Wishart, a Scotch reformer, was condemned to the stake by Cardinal Beaton. While the fire was blazing about him, the martyr exclaimed in a loud voice, “He who from yon high place beholdeth me with such pride, shall be brought low, even to the ground, before the trees which have supplied these faggots have shed their leaves.” It was March when these words were uttered, and the cardinal died in June.

Sun(The). The device of Edward III., was the sun bursting through a cloud. Hence Edward III. is called “our half-faced sun.”--Shakespeare,2 Henry VI.act iv. sc. 1 (1592).

Sun-Steeds.Brontê (“thunder”) and Amethēa (“no loiterer”), Æthon (“fiery red”) and Pyroïs (“fire”); Lampos (“shining like a lamp”), used only at noon; Philogēa (“effulgence”), used only in the westering course.

⁂ Phaĕton (“the shining one”) and Abraxas (the Greek numeral for 365) were the horses of Aurora, or the morning sun.

Sun´ith, one of the six Wise Men of the East led by the guiding star to Jesus. He had three holy daughters.--Klopstock,The Messiah, v. (1771).

Sunshine of St. Eulalie´(3syl.), Evangeline.

Sunshine of St. Eulălie was she called, for that was the sunshineWhich, as the farmers believed, would load their orchards with apples.Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).

Sunshine of St. Eulălie was she called, for that was the sunshine

Which, as the farmers believed, would load their orchards with apples.

Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).

Super Grammat´icam, Sigismund, emperor of Germany (1366, 1411-1437).

At the council of Constance, held 1414, Sigismund used the wordschismaas a noun of the feminine gender (illa nefanda schisma). A prig of a cardinal corrected him, saying “‘Schisma,’ your highness, is neuter gender;” when the kaiser turned on him with ineffable scorn, and said, “I am king of the Romans, and what is grammar to me?” [Ego sum rex Romanus et super grammaticam.]--Carlyle,Frederick the Great(1858).

Superstitions about Animals.

Ant.When ants are unusually busy, foul weather is at hand.

Ants never sleep.--Emerson,Nature, iv.

Ants lay up food for winter use.--Prov.vi. 6-8; xxx. 25.

Ants’ eggs are an antidote to love.

Ass.The mark running down the back of an ass, and cut at right angles over the shoulders, is the cross of Christ impressed on the animal because Christ rode on an ass in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Three hairs taken from the “cross” of an ass will cure the whooping-cough, but the ass from which the hairs are plucked will die.

The ass is deaf to music, and hence Apollo gave Midas the ears of an ass, because he preferred the piping of Pan to the music of Apollo’s lute.

Barnacle.A barnacle broken off a ship turns into a Solan goose.

Like your Scotch barnacle, now a block,Instantly a worm, and presently a great goose.Marston,The Malecontent(1604).

Like your Scotch barnacle, now a block,

Instantly a worm, and presently a great goose.

Marston,The Malecontent(1604).

Basilisk.The basilisk can kill at a distance by the “poison” of its glance.

There’s not a glance of thineBut, like a basilisk, comes winged with death.Lee,Alexander the Great, v. 1 (1678).

There’s not a glance of thine

But, like a basilisk, comes winged with death.

Lee,Alexander the Great, v. 1 (1678).

Bear.The cub of a bear is licked into shape and life by its dam.

So watchful Bruin forms with plastic careEach growing lump and brings it to a bear.Pope,The Dunciad, i. 101 (1728).

So watchful Bruin forms with plastic care

Each growing lump and brings it to a bear.

Pope,The Dunciad, i. 101 (1728).

Beaver.When a beaver is hunted, it bites off the part which the hunters seek, and then, standing upright, shows the hunters it is useless to continue the pursuit. [Æsop tells a similar story of a civet-cat.]--Eugenius Philalethes,Brief Natural History, 89.

Bee.If bees swarm on a rotten tree, a death in the family will occur within the twelvemonth.

Swarmed on a rotten stick the bees I spied,Which erst I saw when Goody Dobson dyed.Gay,Pastoral, v. (1714).

Swarmed on a rotten stick the bees I spied,

Which erst I saw when Goody Dobson dyed.

Gay,Pastoral, v. (1714).

Bees will never thrive if you quarrel with them or about them.

If a member of the family dies and the bees are not put into mourning, they will forsake their hive.

It is unlucky for a stray swarm of bees to alight on your premises.

Beetles.Beetles are both deaf and blind.

Cat.When cats wash their ears more than usual, rain is at hand.

When the cat washes her face over her ears, wee shall have great shore of raine.--Melton,Astrologastor, 45.

The sneezing of a cat indicates good luck to a bride.

Crastina nupturæ lux est prosperrima sponsæ:Felix fele bonum sternuit omen amor.Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 413.

Crastina nupturæ lux est prosperrima sponsæ:

Felix fele bonum sternuit omen amor.

Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 413.

If a cat sneezes thrice, a cold will run through the family.

Satan’s favorite form is that of a black cat, and hence is it the familiar of witches.

A cat has nine lives.

Tybalt.What wouldst thou have with me?

Mer.Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives.--Shakespeare,Romeo and Juliet, act iii. sc. 1 (1595).

Chameleonslive on air only.

I saw him eat the air for food.Lloyd,The Chameleon.

I saw him eat the air for food.

Lloyd,The Chameleon.

Cow.If a milkmaid neglects to wash her hands after milking, her cows will go dry.

Curst cows have curt horns.Curstmeans “angry, fierce.”

God sends a curst cow short horns.--Shakespeare,Much Ado About Nothing, act ii. sc. 1 (1600).

Cricket.Crickets bring good luck to a house. To kill crickets is unlucky. If crickets forsake a house, a death in the family will soon follow.

It is a signe of death to some in a house, if the crickets on a sudden forsake the chimney.--Melton,Astrologastor, 45.

Crocodilesmoan and sigh, like persons in distress, to allure travellers and make them their prey.

As the mournful crocodileWith sorrow snares relentless passengers.Shakespeare,2 Henry VI.act iii. sc. 1 (1591).

As the mournful crocodile

With sorrow snares relentless passengers.

Shakespeare,2 Henry VI.act iii. sc. 1 (1591).

Crocodiles weep over the prey which they devour.

The crocodile will weep over a man’s head when he [it] hath devoured the body, and then he will eat up the head too.--Bullokar,English Expositor(1616).

Paul Lucas tells us that the hummingbird and lapwing enter fearlessly the crocodile’s mouth, and the creature never injures them, because they pick its teeth.--Voyage fait en1714.

Crow.If a crow croaks an odd number of times, look out for foul weather; if an even number, it will be fine.

[The superstitious] listen in the morning whether the crow crieth even or odd, and by that token presage the weather.--Dr. Hall,Characters of Vertues and Vices, 87.

If a crow flies over a house and croaks thrice, it is a bad omen.--Ramesey,Elminthologia, 271 (1668).

If a crow flutters about a window and caws, it forbodes a death.

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