Chapter 2

I beseech you, Mr. Tickler, not to be so sarcastic on “The Master.”—Noctes Ambrosiana.

Master(The Old). Mythical personage, whose breakfast-table monologues are among the most charming that enliven the pages of Oliver Wendell Holmes’sPoet at the Breakfast Table. “I think he suspects himself of a three-story intellect, and I don’t feel sure that he isn’t right.”

Master Adam, Adam Billaut, the French poet (1602-1662).

Master Humphrey, the narrator of the story called “The Old Curiosity Shop.”—C. Dickens,Master Humphrey’s Clock(1840).

Master Leonard, grand-master of the nocturnal orgies of the demons. He presided at these meetings in the form of a three-horned goat with a black human face.—Middle Age Demonology.

Master, like Man(Like).

Such mistress, such Nan;Such master, such man.Tusser, xxxviii. 22.

Again:

Such master, such man; and such mistress, such maid;Such husband and huswife; such houses arraid.T. Tusser,Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, xxxix. 22 (1557).

Master Matthew, a town gull.—Ben Jonson,Every Man in His Humor(1598).

Master Stephen, a country gull ofmelancholy humor. (SeeMaster Matthew).—Ben Jonson,Every Man in His Humor(1598).

Master of Sentences, Pierre Lombard, author of a book calledSentences(1100-1164).

Masters(Doctor), physician to Queen Elizabeth.—Sir W. Scott,Kenilworth(time, Elizabeth).

Masters(The Four): (1) Michael O’Clerighe (orClery), who died 1643; (2) Cucoirighe O’Clerighe; (3) Maurice Conry; (4) Fearfeafa Conry; authors ofAnnals of Donegal.

Mat Mizen, mate of H.M. shipTiger. The type of a daring, reckless, dare-devil English sailor. His adventures with Harry Clifton, in Delhi, form the main incidents of Barrymore’s melodrama,El Hyder, Chief of the Ghaut Mountains.

Mat-o’-the Mint, a highwayman in Captain Macheath’s gang. Peachum says, “He is a promising, sturdy fellow, and diligent in his way. Somewhat too bold and hasty; one that may raise good contributions on the public if he does not cut himself short by murder.”—Gay,The Beggar’s Opera, i. (1727).

Matabrune(3syl.), wife of King Pierron of the Strong Island, and mother of Prince Oriant, one of the ancestors of Godfrey of Bouillon.—Mediæval Romance of Chivalry.

Mathematical Calculators.

George Parkes Bidder, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1800- ).

Jedediah Buxton, of Elmeton, in Derbyshire. He would tell how many letters were in any one of his father’s sermons, after hearing it from the pulpit. He went to hear Garrick, inRichard III., and told how many words each actor uttered (1705-1775).

Zerah Colburn, of Vermont, U. S., came to London in 1812, when he was eight years old. The duke of Gloucester set him to multiply five figures by three, and he gave the answer instantly. He would extract the cube root of nine figures in a few seconds (1804- ).

Vito Mangiamele, son of a Sicilian shepherd. In 1839 MM. Arago, Lacroix, Libri, and Sturm examined the boy, then 11 years old, and in half a minute he told them the cube root of seven figures, and in three seconds of nine figures (1818- ).

Alfragan, the Arabian astronomer (died 820).

Mathilde(2syl.), heroine of a tale so called by Sophie Ristaud, Dame Cottin (1773-1807).

Mathilde(3syl.), sister of Gessler, the tyrannical governor of Switzerland, in love with Arnoldo, a Swiss, who saved her life when it was imperilled by an avalanche. After the death of Gessler she married the bold Swiss.—Rossini,Guglielmo Tell(an opera, 1829).

Mathis, a German miller, greatly in debt. One Christmas Eve a Polish Jew came to his house in a sledge, and, after rest and refreshment, started for Nantzig, “four leagues off.” Mathis followed him, killed him with an axe, and burnt the body in a lime-kiln. He then paid his debts, greatly prospered, and became a highly respected burgomaster. On the wedding night of his only child, Annette, he died of apoplexy, of which he had previous warning by the constant sound of sledge-bells in his ears. In his dream he supposed himself put into a mesmeric sleepin open court, when he confessed everything, and was executed.—J. R. Ware,The Polish Jew.

***This is the character which first introduced H. Irving to public notice.

Math´isen, one of the three anabaptists who induced John of Leyden to join their rebellion; but no sooner was John proclaimed “the prophet-king” than the three rebels betrayed him to the emperor. When the villains entered the banquet-hall to arrest their dupe, they all perished in the flames of the burning palace.—Meyerbeer,Le Prophète(an opera, 1849).

Matilda, wife of the earl of Leicester, in the “first American tragedy regularly produced” in the United States.

She plans to poison her lord, a plot discovered and thwarted by him. In shame and remorse she stabs herself to the heart, praying Leicester to “pity her youthful paramour.”—William Dunlap,Leicester, A Tragedy(1794).

Matilda, sister of Rollo and Otto, dukes of Normandy, and daughter of Sophia.—Beaumont and Fletcher,The Bloody Brother(1639).

Matilda, daughter of Lord Robert Fitzwalter.

***Michael Drayton has a poem of some 650 lines, so called.

Matilda, daughter of Rokeby, and niece of Mortham. Matilda was beloved by Wilfred, son of Oswald; but she herself loved Redmond, her father’s page, who turned out to be Mortham’s son.—Sir W. Scott,Rokeby(1812).

Matsys(Quintin), a blacksmith of Antwerp. He fell in love with Liza, the daughter of Johann Mandyn, the artist. The father declared that none but an artist should have her to wife; so Matsys relinquished his trade, and devoted himself to painting. After a while, he went into the studio of Mandyn to see his picture of the fallen angel; and on theoutstretehedleg of one of the figures painted a bee. This was so life-like, that when the old man returned, he proceeded to frighten it off with his handkerchief. When he discovered the deception, and found out it was done by Matsys, he was so delighted that he at once gave Liza to him for wife.

Matthew Merrygreek, the servant of Ralph Roister Doister. He is a flesh-and-blood representative of “vice” in the old morality-plays.—Nicholas Udall,Ralph Roister Doister(the first English comedy, 1634).

Matthias de Monçada, a merchant. He is the father of Mrs. Witherington, wife of General Witherington.—Sir W. Scott,The Surgeon’s Daughter(time, George II.).

Matthias de Silva(Don), a Spanish beau. This exquisite one day received a challenge for defamation, soon after he had retired to bed, and said to his valet, “I would not get up before noon to make one in the best party of pleasure that was ever projected. Judge, then, if I shall rise at six o’clock in the morning to get my throat cut.”—Lesage,Gil Blas, iii. 8 (1715).

(This reply was borrowed from the romance of Espinel, entitledVida del Escudero Marços de Obregon, 1618).

Mattie, maid servant of Bailie Nicol Jarvie, and afterwards his wife.—Sir W. Scott,Rob Roy(time, George I.).

Maud Muller, pretty, shy haymaker,of whom the judge, passing by, craves a cup of water. He falls in love with the rustic maiden, but dare not wed her. She, too, recollects him with tenderness, dreaming vainly of what might have been her different lot.

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen,The saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’”J. G. Whittier,Maud Muller.

Bret Harte has written a clever parody upon Maud Muller,—“Mrs. Judge Jenkins.”

“There are no sadder words of tongue or pen,Than ‘It is, butit hadn’t orter been!’”

Maude, (1syl.), wife of Peter Pratefast, “who loved cleanliness.”

She kepe her dishes from all foulenes;And when she lacked clowtes withouten fayle,She wyped her dishes with her dogges tayll.Stephen Hawes,The Pastyme of Pleasure, xxix. (1515).

Maugis, the Nestor of French romance. He was one of Charlemagne’s paladins, a magician and champion.

***In Italian romance he is called “Malagigi” (q.v.).

Maugis d’Aygremont, son of Duke Bevis d’Aygremont, stolen in infancy by a female slave. As the slave rested under a white-thorn, a lion and a leopard devoured her, and then killed each other in disputing over the infant. Oriande la fèe, attracted to the spot by the crying of the child, exclaimed, “by the powers above, the child ismal gist(‘badly nursed’)!” and ever after it was called Mal-gist or Mau-gis’. When grown to manhood, he obtained the enchanted horse Bayard, and took from Anthenor (the Saracen)the thesword Flamberge. Subsequently he gave both to his cousin Renaud (Renaldo). Romance ofMaugis d’Aygremont et de Vivian son Frère.

***In the Italian romance, Maugis is called “Malagigi,” Bevis is “Buovo,” Bayard is “Bayardo,” Flamberge is “Fusberta,” and Renaud is “Renaldo.”

Maugrabin(Zamet), a Bohemian, hung near Plessis lés Tours.

Hayraddin Maugrabin, the “Zingaro,” brother of Zamet Maugrabin. He assumes the disguise of Rouge Sanglier, and pretends to be a herald from Liège [Le.aje].—Sir W. Scott,Quentin Durward(time, Edward IV.).

Mau´graby, son of Hal-il-Maugrăby and his wife Yandar. Hal-il-Maugraby founded Dom-Daniel “under the roots of the ocean” near the coast of Tunis, and his son completed it. He and his son were the greatest magicians that ever lived. Maugraby was killed by Prince Habed-il-Rouman, son of the caliph of Syria, and with his death Dom-Daniel ceased to exist.—Continuation of Arabian Nights(“History of Maugraby”).

Did they not say to us every day that if we were naughty the Maugraby would take us?—Continuation of Arabian Nights, iv. 74.

Maugys, a giant who kept the bridge leading to a castle in which a lady was besieged. Sir Lybius, one of the knights of the Round Table, did battle with him, slew him, and liberated the lady.—Libeaux(a romance).

Maul, a giant who used to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry. He attacked Mr. Greatheart with a club; but Greatheart pierced him under the fifth rib, and then cut off his head.—Bunyan,Pilgrim’s Progress, ii. (1684).

Maul of Monks, Thomas Cromwell, visitor-general of English monasteries, which he summarily suppressed (1490-1540).

Maulstatute(Master), a magistrate.—Sir W. Scott,Peveril of the Peak(time, Charles II.).

Maun´drel, a wearisome gossip, a chattering woman.

Maundrels, vagaries, especially those of a person in delirium, or the disjointed gabble of a sleeper.

***The word is said to be a corruption of Mandeville (Sir John), who published a book of travels, full of idle tales and maundering gossip.

Mauprat(Adrien de), colonel and chevalier in the king’s army; “the wildest gallant and bravest knight of France.” He married Julie; but the king accused him of treason for so doing, and sent him to the Bastille. Being released by the Cardinal Richelieu, he was forgiven, and made happy with the blessing of the king.—Lord Lytton,Richelieu(1839).

Mauprat, the last of a fierce race of French robber nobles. His wild nature is subdued into real nobility by his love for his beautiful cousin.—George Sand,Mauprat(1836).

Maurice Beevor(Sir), a miser, and (failing the children of the countess) heir to the Arundel estates. The countess having two sons (Arthur and Percy), Sir Maurice hired assassins to murder them; but his plots were frustrated, and the miser went to his grave “a sordid, spat-upon, revengeless, worthless, and rascally poor cousin.”—Lord Lytton,The Sea-Captain(1839).

Mause(Old), mother of Cuddie Headrigg, and a covenanter.—Sir W. Scott,Old Mortality(time, Charles II.).

Mauso´lus, king of Caria, to whom his wife Artĕmisia erected a sepulchre which was one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” (B.C.353).

The chief mausoleums besides this are those of Augustus; Hadrian (now called the castle of St. Angelo) at Rome; Henri II., erected by Catherine de Medicis; St. Peter the martyr, in the church of St. Eustatius, by G. Balduccio; that to the memory of Louis XVI.; and the tomb of Napoleon in Les Invalides, Paris. The one erected by Queen Victoria to Prince Albert may also be mentioned.

Mauthe Dog, a black spectre spaniel that haunted the guard-room of Peeltown in the Isle of Man. One day a drunken trooper entered the guard-room while the dog was there, but lost his speech, and died within three days.—Sir W. Scott,Lay of the Last Minstrel, vi. 26 (1805).

Mauxalin´da, in love with Moore, of Moore Hall; but the valiant combatant of the dragon deserts her for Margery, daughter of Gubbins, of Roth’ram Green.—H. Carey,Dragon of Wantley(1696-1743).

Mavortian, a soldier or son of Mavors (Mars).

Hew dreadfull Mavortian the poor price of a dinner.—Richard Brome,Plays(1653).

Mawworm, a vulgar copy of Dr. Cantwell “the hypocrite.” He is a most gross abuser of his mother tongue, but believes he has a call to preach. He tells old Lady Lambert that he has made several sermons already, but “always does ’em extrumpery” because he could not write. He finds his “religious vocation” more profitable than selling “grocery, tea, small beer, charcoal, butter, brickdust, and otherspices,” and so comes to the conclusion that it “is sinful to keep shop.” He is a convert of Dr. Cantwell, and believes in him to the last.

Do despise me; I’m the prouder for it. I like to be despised.—I. Bickerstaff,The Hypocrite, ii. 1 (1768).

Max, a huntsman, and the best marksman in Germany. He was plighted to Agatha, who was to be his wife, if he won the prize in the annual match. Caspar induced Max to go to the wolf’s glen at midnight and obtain seven charmed balls from Samiel, the Black Huntsman. On the day of contest, while Max was shooting, he killed Caspar, who was concealed in a tree, and the king in consequence abolished this annualfête.—Weber,Der Freischütz(an opera, 1822).

Maxime(2syl.), an officer of the Prefect Almachius. He was ordered to put to death Valerian and Tibur´cê, because they refused to worship the image of Jupiter; but he took pity on them, took them to his house, became converted and was baptized. When Valerian and Tiburcê were afterwards martyred, Maxime said he saw angels come and carry them to heaven, whereupon Almachius caused him to be beaten with rods “til he his lif gan lete.”—Chaucer,Canterbury Tales(“Second Nun’s Tale,” 1388).

***This is based on the story of “Cecilia” in theLegenda Aurea; and both are imitations of the story of Paul and the jailer of Philippi (Actsxvi. 19-34).

Maximil´ian(son of Frederick III.), the hero of theTeuerdank, theOrlando Furiosoof the Germans, by Melchior Pfinzing.

.... [here] in old heroic daysSat the poet Melchoir, singing Kaiser Maximilian’s praise.Longfellow,Nuremberg.

Maximin, a Roman tyrant.—Dryden,Tyrannic Love, orthe Royal Martyr.

Maximus, (called by Geoffrey, “Maximian”), a Roman senator, who in 381, was invited to become king of Britain. He conquered Armorica (Bretagne), and “published a decree for the assembling together there of 100,000 of the common people of Britain, to colonize the land, and 30,000 soldiers to defend the colony.” Hence Armorica was called, “The other Britain” or “Little Britain.”—Geoffrey,British History, v. 14 (1142).

Got Maximus at length the victory in Gaul,... where after Gratian’s fall.Armorica to them the valiant victor gave....Which colony ... is “Little Britain” called.Drayton,Polyolbion, ix. (1612).

Maxwell, deputy chamberlain at Whitehall.—Sir W. Scott,Fortunes of Nigel(time, James I.).

Maxwell(Mr. Pate), laird of Summertrees, called “Pate in Peril;” one of the papist conspirators with Redgauntlet.—Sir W. Scott,Redgauntlet(time, George III.).

Maxwell(The Right Hon. William), Lord Evandale, an officer in the king’s army.—Sir W. Scott,Old Mortality(time, Charles II.).

May, a girl who married January, a Lombard baron 60 years old. She loved Damyan, a young squire; and one day the baron caught Damyan and May fondling each other, but the young wife told her husband his eyes were so defective that they could not be trusted. The old man accepted the solution—for what is better than “a fruitful wife and a confiding spouse?”—Chaucer,Canterbury Tales(“The Merchant’s Tale,” 1388).

May unlucky for Brides.Mary, queen of Scotland, married Bothwell, the murderer of her husband, Lord Darnley, on May 12.

Mense malum Maio nubere vulgus ait.Ovid,Fasti, v.

May-Day(Evil), May 1, 1517, when the London apprentices rose up against the foreign residents and didincalcuablemischief. This riot began May 1, and lasted till May 22.

May Queen(The), a poem in three parts by Tennyson (1842). Alice, a bright-eyed, merry child, was chosen May queen, and, being afraid she might oversleep herself, told her mother to be sure to call her early.

I sleep so sound all night, mother, that I shall never wake,If you do not call me loud when the day begins to break;But I must gather knots of flowers, and buds and garlands gay,For I’m to be queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be queen o’ the May.

The old year passed away, and the black-eyed rustic maiden was dying. She hoped to greet the new year before her eyes closed in death, and bade her mother once again to be sure to call her early; but it was not now because she slept so soundly. Alas! no.

Good night, sweet mother; call me before the day is born.All night I lie awake, but I fall asleep at morn;But I would see the sun rise upon the glad New Year,So, if you’re waking, call me, call me early, mother dear.

The day rose and passed away, but Alice lingered on till March. The snow-drops had gone before her, and the violets were in bloom. Robin had dearly loved the child, but the thoughtless village beauty, in her joyous girlhood, tossed her head at him, and never thought of love, but now, that she was going to the land of shadows, her dying words were:

And say to Robin a kind word, and tell him not to fret;There’s many worthier than I, would make him happy yet.If I had lived—I cannot tell—I might have been his wife;But all these things have ceased to be, with my desire of life.

Maye(The), that subtle and abstruse sense which the goddess Maya inspires. Plato, Epicharmos, and some other ancient philosophers refer it to the presence of divinity. “It is the divinity which stirs within us.” In poetry it gives an inner sense to the outward word, and in common minds it degenerates into delusion or second sight. Maya is an Indian deity, and personates the “power of creation.”

Hartmann possède la Mâye ... il laisse pénétrer dans ses écrits les sentiments, et les pensées dont son âme est remplie, et cherche sans cesse à resoudre les antithèses.—G. Weber,Hist. de la Littérature Allemande.

Mayeux, a stock name in France for a man deformed, vain, and licentious, but witty and brave. It occurs in a large number of French romances and caricatures.

Mayflower, a ship of 180 tons, which in December, 1620, started from Plymouth, and conveyed to Massachusetts 102 puritans, called the “Pilgrim Fathers,” who named their settlement New Plymouth.

... theMayflowersailed from the harbor [Plymouth],Took the wind on her quarter, and stood for the open Atlantic,Borne on the sand of the sea, and the swelling hearts of the pilgrims.Longfellow,Courtship of Miles Standish, v. (1858).

Men of the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Fathers, who went out in theMayflowerto North America in 1620.

Mayflower(Phœbe), servant at Sir Henry Lee’s lodge.—Sir W. Scott,Woodstock(time, commonwealth).

Maylie(Mrs.), the lady of the house attacked burglariously by Bill Sykes and others. Mrs. Maylie is mother of Harry Maylie, and aunt of Rose Fleming, who lives with her.

She was well advanced in years, but the high-backed oaken chair in which she sat was not more upright than she. Dressed with the utmost nicety and precision in a quaint mixture of bygone costume, with some slight concession to the prevailing taste, which rather served to point the old style pleasantly than to impair its effect, she sat in a stately manner, with her hands folded before her.

Harry Maylie, Mrs. Maylie’s son. He marries his cousin, Rose Fleming.—C. Dickens,Oliver Twist(1837).

Mayor of Garratt(The). Garratt is between Wandsworth and Tooting. The first mayor of this village was elected towards the close of the eighteenth century, and the election came about thus: Garratt Common had often been encroached on, and in 1780 the inhabitants associated themselves together to defend their rights. The chairman was calledMayor, and as it happened to be the time of a general election, the society made it a law that a new “mayor” should be elected at every general election. The addresses of these mayors, written by Foote, Garrick, Wilks, and others, are satires and political squibs. The first mayor of Garratt was “Sir” John Harper, a retailer of brickdust; and the last was “Sir” Harry Dimsdale, a muffin-seller (1796). In Foote’s farce so called, Jerry Sneak is chosen mayor, son-in-law of the landlord (1763).

Mayors(Lord) who have founded noble houses:

Maypole(The), the nickname given to Erangard Melousine de Schulemberg, duchess of Kendal, the mistress of George I., on account of her leanness and height (1719, died, 1743).

Mazarin of Letters(The), D’Alembert (1717-1783).

Mazarine(A), a common council-man of London; so called from the mazarine-blue silk gown worn by this civil functionary.

Mazeppa(Jan), a hetman of the Cossacks, born of a noble Polish family in Podolia. He was a page in the court ofJan Casimir, king of Poland, and while in this capacity intrigued with Theresia, the young wife of a Podolian count, who discovered the amour, and had the young page lashed to a wild horse, and turned adrift. The horse rushed in mad fury, and dropped down dead in the Ukraine, where Mazeppa was released by a Cossack, who nursed him carefully in his own hut. In time the young page became a prince of the Ukraine, but fought against Russia in the battle of Pultowa. Lord Byron (1819) makes Mazeppa tell his tale to Charles XII. after the battle (1640-1709).

“Muster Richardson” had a fine appreciation of genius, and left the original “Mazeppa” at Astley’s a handsome legacy [1766-1836].—Mark Lemon.

M. B. Waistcoat, a clerical waistcoat. M. B. means “Mark [of the] Beast;” so called because, when these waistcoats were first worn by Protestant clergymen (about 1830), they were stigmatized as indicating a popish tendency.

He smiled at the folly which stigmatized an M. B.waistcoat—Mrs. Oliphant,Phœbe, Jun., ii. 1.

McGrath(Miss Jane), “is a woman. Uv course doorin’ the war she wuz loyal ez she understood loyalty. She believed in her State. She hed two brothers which went into the Confedrit servis, and she gave ’em both horses. But wood any sister let her brother go afoot?... Her case is one wich I shel push the hardest.... Ef Congress does not consider it favorably it will show that Congress hez no bowels.”—D. R. Locke’s,The Struggles—Social, Financial and Political—of Petroleum, V. Nasby.

Meadows(Sir William), a kind country gentleman, the friend of Jack Eustace, and father of young Meadows.

Young Meadowsleft his father’s home because the old gentleman wanted him to marry Rosetta, whom he had never seen. He called himself Thomas, and entered the service of Justice Woodcock as gardener. Here he fell in love with the supposed chamber-maid, who proved to be Rosetta, and their marriage fulfilled the desire of all the parties interested.—I. Bickerstaff,Love in a Village.

Charles Dignum made hisdébutat Drury Lane, in 1784, in the character of “Young Meadows.” His voice was so clear and full-toned, and his manner of singing so judicious, that he was received with the warmest applause.—Dictionary of Musicians.

Meagles(Mr.), an eminently “practical man,” who, being well off, travelled over the world for pleasure. His party consisted of himself, his daughter Pet, and his daughter’s servant called Tatty-coram. A jolly man was Mr. Meagles; but clear-headed, shrewd, and persevering.

Mrs. Meagles, wife of the “practical man,” and mother of Pet.—C. Dickens,Little Dorrit(1857).

Meal-Tub Plot, a fictitious conspiracy concocted by Dangerfield for the purpose of cutting off those who opposed the succession of James, duke of York, afterwards James II. The scheme was concealed in a meal-tub in the house of Mrs. Cellier (1685).

Measure for Measure.There was a law in Vienna that made it death for a man to live with a woman not his wife; but the law was so little enforced that the mothers of Vienna complained to the duke of its neglect. So the duke deputed Angelo to enforce it, and, assuming the dress of a friar, absented himself awhile, to watch the result. Scarcely was the duke gone, when Claudio was sentencedto death for violating the law. His sister Isabel went to intercede on his behalf, and Angelo told her he would spare her brother if she would give herself to him. Isabel told her brother he must prepare to die, as the conditions proposed by Angelo were out of the question. The duke, disguised as a friar, heard the whole story, and persuaded Isabel to “assent in words,” but to send Mariana (the divorced wife of Angelo), to take her place. This was done; but Angelo sent the provost to behead Claudio, a crime which “the friar” contrived to avert. Next day, the duke returned to the city, and Isabel told her tale. The end was, the duke married Isabel, Angelo took back his wife, and Claudio married Juliet, whom he had seduced.—Shakespeare,Measure for Measure(1603).

***This story is from Whetstone’sHeptameron(1578). A similar story is given also in Giraldi Cinthio’s third decade of stories.

Medam´othi, the island at which the fleet of Pantag´ruel landed on the fourth day of their voyage. Here many choice curiosities were bought, such as “the picture of a man’s voice,” an “echo drawn to life,” “Plato’s ideas,” some of “Epicurus’s atoms,” a sample of “Philome´la’s needlework,” and other objects ofvertuto be obtained nowhere else.—Rabelais,Pantagruel, iv. 3 (1545).

***Medamothiis a compound Greek word, meaning “never in any place.” SoUtopiais a Greek compound, meaning “no place;”Kennaquhairis a Scotch compound, meaning “I know not where;” andKennahtwharis Anglo-Saxon for the same. All these places are in 91° north lat. and 180° 1' west long., in the Niltālê Ocean.

Medea, a famous sorceress of Colchis who married Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, and aided him in getting possession of the golden fleece. After being married ten years, Jason repudiated her for Glaucê; and Medea, in revenge, sent the bride a poisoned robe, which killed both Glaucê and her father. Medea then tore to pieces her two sons, and fled to Athens in a chariot drawn by dragons.

The story has been dramatized in Greek by Euripĭdês; in Latin by Senĕca and by Ovid; in French by Corneille (Médée, 1635), Longepierre (1695), and Legouvé (1849); in English by Glover (1761).

Mrs. Yates was a superb “Medea.”—Thomas Campbell.

Mede´a and Absyr´tus.When Medea fled with Jason from Colchis (in Asia), she murdered her brother, Absyrtus, and, cutting the body into several pieces, strewed the fragments about, that the father might be delayed in picking them up, and thus be unable to overtake the fugitives.

Meet I an infant of the duke of York,Into as many gobbets will I cut itAs wild Medea young Absyrtus did.Shakespeare, 2Henry VI.act v. sc. 2 (1591).

Mede´a’s Kettle.Medea, the sorceress, cut to pieces an old ram, threw the parts into her caldron, and by her incantations changed the old ram into a young lamb. The daughters of Pelias thought they would have their father restored to youth, as Æson had been. So they killed him, and put the body in Medea’s caldron; but Medea refused to utter the needful incantation, and so the old man was not restored to life.

Change the shape, and shake off age. Get thee Medea’s kettle, and be boiled anew.—W. Congreve,Love for Love, iv. (1695).

Médecin Malgré Lui(Le) a comedyby Molière (1666). The “enforced doctor” is Sganarelle, a faggot-maker, who is called in by Géronte to cure his daughter of dumbness. Sganarelle soon perceives that the malady is assumed in order to prevent a hateful marriage, and introduces her lover as an apothecary. The dumb spirit is at once exorcised, and the lovers made happy with “pills matrimoniac.”

In 1723 Fielding produced a farce calledThe Mock Doctor, which was based on this comedy. The doctor he calls “Gregory,” and Géronte “Sir Jasper.” Lucinde, the dumb girl, he calls “Charlotte,” and Anglicizes her lover, Léandre, into “Leander.”

Medham(“the keen”), one of Mahomet’s swords.

Medicine(The Father of), Aretæos of Cappadocia (second and third centuries).

***Also Hippoc´rates, of Cos (B.C.460-357).

Medina, the Golden Mean personified, Step-sister of Elissa (parsimony) and Perissa (extravagance). The three sisters could never agree on any subject.—Spenser,Faëry Queen, ii. (1590).

Medley(Matthew), the factotum of Sir Walter Waring. He marries Dolly, daughter of Goodman Fairlop, the woodman.—Sir H. P. Dudley,The Woodman(1771).

Medo´ra, the beloved wife of Conrad, the corsair. When Conrad was taken captive by the Pacha Seyd, Medora sat day after day expecting his return, and feeling the heart-anguish of hope deferred. Still he returned not, and Medora died. In the mean time, Gulnare, the favorite concubine of Seyd, murdered the pacha, liberated Conrad, and sailed with him to the corsair’s island home. When, however, Conrad found his wife dead, he quitted the island, and went no one knew whither. The sequel of the story forms the poem calledLara.—Byron,The Corsair(1814).

Medo´ro, a Moorish youth of extraordinary beauty, but of humble race; page to Agramante. Being wounded, Angelica dressed his wounds, fell in love with him, married him, and retired with him to Cathay, where, in right of his wife, he became a king. This was the cause of Orlando’s madness.—Ariosto,Orlando Furioso(1516).

When Don Roldan [Orlando] discovered in a fountain proofs of Angelica’s dishonorable conduct with Medoro, it distracted him to such a degree that he tore up huge trees by the roots, sullied the purest streams, destroyed flocks, slew shepherds, fired their huts, pulled houses to the ground, and committed a thousand other most furious exploits worthy of being reported in fame’s register.—Cervantes,Don Quixote, I. iii. 11 (1605).

Medu´sa(The soft), Mary Stuart, queen of Scots (1545-1577).

Rise from thy bloody grave,Thou soft Medusa of the “Fated Line,”Whose evil beauty looked to death the brave!Lord Lytton,Ode, i. (1839).

Meeta, the “maid of Mariendorpt,” a true woman and a true heroine. She is the daughter of Mahldenau, minister of Mariendorpt, whom she loves almost to idolatry. Her betrothed is Major Rupert Roselheim. Hearing of her father’s captivity at Prague, she goes thither on foot to crave his pardon.—S. Knowles,The Maid of Mariendorpt(1838).

Meg, a pretty, bright, dutiful girl, daughter of Toby Veck, and engaged to Richard, whom she marries on New Year’s Day.—C. Dickens,The Chimes(1844).

Meg Dods, the old landlady at St. Ronan’s Well.—Sir W. Scott,St. Ronan’s Well(time, George III.).

Meg Merrilees, a half-crazy sibyl or gypsy woman.—Sir W. Scott,Guy Mannering(time, George II.).

Meg Murdochson, an old gypsy thief, mother of Madge Wildfire.—Sir W. Scott,Heart of Midlothian(time, George II.).

Megid´don, the tutelar angel of Simon the Canaanite. This Simon, “once a shepherd, was called by Jesus from the field, and feasted Him in his hut with a lamb.”—Klopstock,The Messiah, iii. (1748).

Megingjard, the belt of Thor, whereby his strength was doubled.

Megissog´won(“the great pearl feather”), a magician, and the Manĭto of wealth. It was Megissogwon who sent the fiery fever on man, the white fog, and death. Hiawatha slew him, and taught man the science of medicine. This great Pearl-Feather slew the father of Niko´mis (the grandmother of Hiawatha). Hiawatha all day long fought with the magician without effect; at nightfall the woodpecker told him to strike at the tuft of hair on the magician’s head, the only vulnerable place; accordingly, Hiawatha discharged his three remaining arrows at the hair tuft, and Megissogwon died.

“Honor be to Hiawatha!He hath slain the great Pearl-Feather;Slain the mightiest of magicians—Him that sent the fiery fever, ...Sent disease and death among us.”Longfellow,Hiawatha, ix. (1855).

Megnoun.(SeeMejnoun.)

Meg´ra, a lascivious lady in the drama calledPhilaster, orLove Lies a-bleeding, by Beaumont and Fletcher (1608).

Meiklehose(Isaac), one of the elders of Roseneath parish.—Sir W. Scott,Heart of Midlothian(time, George II.).

Meiklewham(Mr. Saunders), “the man of law,” in the managing committee of the Spa hotel.—Sir W. Scott,St. Ronan’s Well(time, George III.).

Meister(Wilhelm), the hero and title of a novel by Goethe. The object is to show that man, despite his errors and short-comings, is led by a guiding hand, and reaches some higher aim at last (1821).

Meistersingers, or minstrel tradesmen of Germany. An association of master tradesmen to revive the national minstrelsy, which had fallen into decay with the decline of the minnesingers, or love minstrels (1350-1523). Their subjects were chiefly moral or religious, and constructed according to rigid rules. The three chief were Hans Rosenblüt (armorial painter, born 1450), Hans Folz (surgeon, born 1479), and Hans Sachs (cobbler, 1494-1574). The next best were Heinrich von Mueglen, Konrad Harder, Master Altschwert, Master Barthel Regenbogen (the blacksmith), Muscablüt (the tailor), and Hans Blotz (the barber).

Mej´noun and Lei´lah(2syl.), a Persian love tale, the Romeo and Juliet of Eastern romance. They are the most beautiful, chaste, and impassionate of lovers; the models of what lovers would be if human nature were perfect.

When he sang the loves of Megnôun and Leileh ... tears insensibly overflowed the cheeks of his auditors.—W. Beckford,Vathek(1786).

Mela Dryfoos.Loud young lady of the gilded period, “physically too amiable and too well corporeally ever to be quite cross,” but selfish and coarse and reposing confidently upon the importance given her by her father’s money.—W. D. Howells,A Hazard of New Fortunes(1889).

Melan´chates(4syl.), the hound that killed Actæon, and was changed into a hart.

Melanchates, that houndThat plucked Actæon to the grounde,Gaue him his mortal wound, ...Was chaungéd to a harte.J. Skelton,Philip Sparow(time, Henry VIII).

Melantius, a rough, honest soldier, who believes every one is true till convicted of crime, and then is he a relentless punisher. Melantius and Diph´ilus are brothers of Evadnê.—Beaumont and Fletcher,The Maid’s Tragedy(1610).

***The master scene between Antony and Ventidius in Dryden’sAll for Loveis copied fromThe Maid’s Tragedy. “Ventidius” is in the place of Melantius.

Melchior, one of the three kings of Cologne. He was the “Wise Man of the East” who offered to the infant Jesusgold, the emblem of royalty. The other two were Gaspar and Balthazar. Melchior means “king of light.”

Melchior, a monk attending the black priest of St. Paul’s.—Sir W. Scott,Anne of Geierstein(time, Edward IV.).

Melchior(i.e. Melchior Pfinzing), a German poet who wrote theTeuerdank, an epic poem which has the kaiser Maximilian (son of Frederick III.) for its hero. This poem was theOrlando Furiosoof the Germans.

Sat the poet Melchior, singing kaiser Maximilian’s praise.Longfellow,Nuremberg.

Melea´ger, son of Althæa, who was doomed to live while a certain log remained unconsumed. Althæa kept the log for several years, but being one day angry with her son, she cast it on the fire, where it was consumed. Her son died at the same moment.—Ovid,Metam., viii. 4.

Sir John Davies uses this to illustrate the immortality of the soul. He says that the life of the soul does not depend on the body as Meleager’s life depended on the fatal brand.

Again, if by the body’s prop she stand—If on the body’s life her life depend,As Meleager’s on the fatal brand;The body’s good she only would intend.Reason, iii. (1622).

Melesig´enes(5syl.). Homer is so called from the river Melês (2syl.), in Asia Minor, on the banks of which some say he was born.

... various measured verse,Æolian charms and Dorian lyric odes,And his who gave them breath, but higher sung,Blind Melesigēnês, thence Homer called,Whose poem Phœbus challenged for his own.Milton,Paradise Regained(1671).

Melema(Tito). Beautiful accomplished Greek adventurer who marries and is unfaithful to Romola. He dies by the hand of an old man who had been the benefactor of his infancy and youth, and whom he had basely deserted and ignored.—George Eliot,Romola.

Me´li(Giovanni), a Sicilian, born at Palermo; immortalized by his eclogues and idylls. Meli is called “The Sicilian Theocritus” (1740-1815).

Much it pleased him to peruseThe songs of the Sicilian Muse—Bucolic songs by Meli sung.Longfellow,The Wayside Inn(prelude, 1863).

Meliadus, father of Sir Tristan;prince of Lyonnesse, and one of the heroes of Arthurian romance.—Tristan de Leonois(1489).

***Tristan, in theHistory of Prince Arthur, compiled by Sir T. Malory (1470), is called “Tristram;” but the old minnesingers of Germany (twelfth century) called the name “Tristan.”

Mel´ibe(3syl.), a rich young man married to Prudens. One day, when Melibê was in the fields, some enemies broke into his house, beat his wife, and wounded his daughter Sophie in her feet, hands, ears, nose and mouth. Melibê was furious and vowed vengeance, but Prudens persuaded him “to forgive his enemies, and to do good to those who despitefully used him.” So he called together his enemies, and forgave them, to the end that “God of His endeles mercie wole at the tyme of oure deyinge forgive us oure giltes that we have trespased to Him in this wreeched world.”—Chaucer,Canterbury Tales(1388).

***This prose tale is a liberal translation of a French story.—SeeMS. Reg., xix. 7; andMS. Reg., xix. 11, British Museum.

Melibee, a shepherd, and the reputed father of Pastorella. Pastorella married Sir Calidore.—Spenser,Faëry Queen, vi. 9 (1596).

“Melibee” is Sir Francis Walsingham. In theRuins of Time, Spenser calls him “Melibœ.” Sir Philip Sidney (the “Sir Calidore” of theFaëry Queen) married his daughter Frances. Sir Francis Walsingham died in 1590, so poor that he did not leave enough to defray his funeral expenses.

Melibœus, one of the shepherds inEcloguei. of Virgil.

Spenser, in theRuins of Time(1591), calls Sir Francis Walsingham “the good Melibœ;” and in the last book of theFaëry Queenhe calls him “Melibee.”

Melin´da, cousin of Sylvia. She loves Worthy, whom she pretends to dislike, and coquets with him for twelve months. Having driven her modest lover to the verge of distraction, she relents, and consents to marry him.—G. Farquhar,The Recruiting Officer(1705).

Mel´ior, a lovely fairy, who carried off, in her magic bark, Parthen´opex, of Blois, to her secret island.—Parthenopex de Blois(a French romance, twelfth century).

Melisen´dra(The princess), natural daughter of Marsilio, and the “supposed daughter of Charlemagne.” She eloped with Don Gayferos. The king, Marsilio, sent his troops in pursuit of the fugitive. Having made Melisendra his wife, Don Gayferos delivered her up captive to the Moors at Saragossa. This was the story of the puppet-show of Master Peter, exhibited to Don Quixote and his squire at “the inn beyond the hermitage.”—Cervantes,Don Quixote, II. ii. 7 (1615).

Melissa, a prophetess who lived in Merlin’s cave. Bradamant gave her the enchanted ring to take to Roge´ro; so, under the form of Atlantês, she went to Alcīna’s isle, delivered Rogēro, and disenchanted all the captives in the island.

In bk. xix. Melissa, under the form of Rodŏmont, persuaded Agramant to break the league which was to settle the contest by single combat, and a general battle ensued.—Ariosto,Orlando Furioso(1516).

***This incident of bk. xix. is similar to that in Homer’sIliad, iii. iv., where Paris and Menelāos agree to settle the contest bysingle combat; but Minerva persuades Pandăros to break the truce, and a general battle ensues.

Me´lita(nowMalta). The point to which the vessel that carried St. Paul was driven was the “Porto de San Paolo,” and according to tradition, the cathedral of Citta Vecchia stands on the site of the house of Publius, the Roman governor. St. Paul’s grotto, a cave in the vicinity, is so named in honor of this great apostle.

Meli´tus, a gentleman of Cyprus, in the drama calledThe Laws of Candy, by Beaumont and Fletcher (1647).

Melizyus, king of Thessaly, in the golden era of Saturn. He was the first to tame horses for the use of man.

Melizyus(King) held his court in the Tower of Chivalry, and there knighted Graunde Amoure, after giving him the following advice:

And firstGood Hopehis legge harneyes should be;His habergion, ofPerfect Ryhteousnes,Gird first with the girdle ofChastitie;His rich placarde should be good busines,Brodred withAlms...The helmetMekenes, and the sheldeGood Fayeth,His swerdeGod’s Word, as St. Paule sayeth.Stephen Hawes,The Passe-tyme of Plesure, xxviii. (1515).

Mell(Mr.), the poor, down-trodden second master at Salem House, the school of Mr. Creakles. Mr. Mell played the flute. His mother lived in an almshouse, and Steerforth used to taunt Mell with this “degradation,” and indeed caused him to be discharged. Mell emigrated to Australia, and succeeded well in the new country.—C. Dickens,David Copperfield(1849).

Melle´font(2syl.), in love with Cynthia, daughter of Sir Paul Pliant. His aunt, Lady Touchwood, had a criminal fondness for him, and, because he repelled her advances, she vowed his ruin. After passing several hair-breadth escapes from the “double dealing” of his aunt and his “friend,” Maskwell, he succeeded in winning and marrying the lady of his attachment.—W. Congreve,The Double Dealer(1700).

Mellifluous Doctor(The), St. Bernard, whose writings were called “a river of paradise” (1091-1153).

Melnotte(Claude), a gardener’s son, in love with Pauline, “the Beauty of Lyons,” but treated by her with contempt. Beauseant and Glavis, two other rejected suitors, conspired with him to humble the proud fair one. To this end, Claude assumed to be the prince of Como, and Pauline married him, but was indignant when she discovered how she had been duped. Claude left her to join the French army, and, under the name of Morier, rose in two years and a half to the rank of colonel. He then returned to Lyons, and found his father-in-law on the eve of bankruptcy, and Pauline about to be sold to Beauseant to pay the creditors. Claude paid the money required, and claimed Pauline as his loving and truthful wife.—Lord L. B. Lytton,Lady of Lyons(1838).

Melo(Juan de), born at Castile in the fifteenth century. A dispute having arisen at Esalo´na upon the question whether Achillês or Hector were the braver warrior, the Marquis de Ville´na called out, “Let us see if the advocates of Achillês can fight as well as prate.” At the word, there appeared in the assembly a gigantic fire-breathing monster, which repeated thesame challenge. Every one shrank back except Juan de Melo, who drew his sword and placed himself before King Juan II. to protect him, “tide life, tide death.” The king appointed him alcaydê of Alcala la Real, in Grana´da, for his loyalty.—Chronica de Don Alvaro de Luna.

Melrose(Violet), an heiress, who marries Charles Middlewick. This was against the consent of his father, because Violet had the bad taste to snub the retired tradesman, and considered vulgarity as the “unpardonable sin.”

Mary Melrose, Violet’s cousin, but without a penny. She marries Talbot Champneys; but his father, Sir Geoffrey, wanted him to marry Violet, the heiress.—H. J. Byron,Our Boys(a comedy, 1875).

Melusi´na, the most famous of theféesof France. Having enclosed her father in a mountain for offending her mother, she was condemned to become a serpent every Saturday. When she married the count of Lusignan, she made her husband vow never to visit her on that day, but the jealousy of the count made him break his vow. Melusina was, in consequence, obliged to leave her mortal husband, and roam about the world as a ghost till the day of doom. Some say the count immured her in the dungeon wall of his castle.—Jean d’Arras(fourteenth century).

***The cry of despair given by theféewhen she discovered the indiscreet visit of her husband, is the origin of the phrase,Un cri de Mélusine(“A shriek of despair”).

Melvil(Sir John), a young baronet, engaged to be married to Miss Sterling, the elder daughter of a City merchant, who promises to settle on her £800,000. A little before the marriage, Sir John finds that he has no regard for Miss Sterling, but a great love for her younger sister, Fanny, to whom he makes a proposal of marriage. His proposal is rejected; and it is soon brought to light that Miss Fanny had been clandestinely married to Lovewell for four months.—Colman and Garrick,The Clandestine Marriage(1766).

Melville(Major), a magistrate at Cairnvreckan village.—Sir W. Scott,Waverley(time, George II.).

Melville(Sir Robert), one of the embassy from the privy council to Mary queen of Scots.—Sir W. Scott,The Abbot(time, Elizabeth).

Melville, the father of Constantia.—C. Macklin,The Man of the World(1764).

Melville(Julia), a truly noble girl, in love with Faulkland, who is always jealous of her without a shadow of cause. She receives his innuendos without resentment, and treats him with sincerity and forbearance (see act i. 2).—Sheridan,The Rivals(1775).

Melyhalt(The Lady), a powerful subject of King Arthur, whose domains Sir Galiot invaded; notwithstanding which the lady chose Sir Galiot as her fancy knight and chevalier.

Memnon, king of the Ethiopians. He went to the assistance of his uncle, Priam, and was slain by Achillês. His mother, Eos, inconsolable at his death, weeps for him every morning, and her tears constitute what we call dew.

Memnon, the black statue of King Amen´ophis III., at Thebes, in Egypt, which, being struck with the rays of themorning sun, gives out musical sounds. Kircher says these sounds are due to a sort of clavecin or Æolian harp enclosed in the statue, the cords of which are acted upon by the warmth of the sun. Cambyses, resolved to learn the secret, cleft the statue from head to waist; but it continued to utter its morning melody notwithstanding.

Memnon, “the mad lover,” general of As´torax, king of Paphos.—Beaumont and Fletcher,The Mad Lover(1617).

Memnon, the title of a novel by Voltaire, the object of which is to show the folly of aspiring to too much wisdom.

Memnon’s Sister.He´mera, mentioned by Dictys Cretensis.

Black, but such as in esteemPrince Memnon’s sister might beseem.Milton,Il Penseroso(1638).

Memorable(The Ever-), John Hales, of Eton (1584-1656).

Memory.The persons most noted for their memory are:

Magliabecchi, of Florence, called “The Universal Index and Living Cyclopædia” (1633-1714).

P. J. Beronicius, the Greek and Latin improvisator, who knew by heart Horace, Virgil, Cicero, Juvenal, both the Plinys, Homer, and Aristophănês. He died at Middleburgh, in 1676.

Andrew Fuller, after hearing 500 lines twice, could repeat them without a mistake. He could also repeat verbatim a sermon or speech; could tell either backwards or forwards every shop sign from the Temple to the extreme end of Cheapside, and the articles displayed in each of the shops.

“Memory” Woodfall could carry in his head a debate, and repeat it a fortnight afterwards.

“Memory” Thompson could repeat the names, trades, and particulars of every shop from Ludgate Hill to Piccadilly.

William Ratcliff, the husband of the novelist, could repeat a debate the next morning.

Memory(The Bard of), Samuel Rogers, author of thePleasures of Memory(1762-1855).

Men of Prester John’s Country.Prester John, in his letter to Manuel Comnēnus, says his land is the home of men with horns; of one-eyed men (the eye being in some cases before the head, and in some cases behind it); of giants, forty ells in height (i.e.120 feet); of the phœnix, etc.; and of ghouls who feed on premature children. He gives the names of fifteen different tributary states, amongst which are those of Gog and Magog (now shut in behind lofty mountains); but at the end of the world these fifteen states will overrun the whole earth.

Menalcas, any shepherd or rustic. The name occurs in theIdyllsof Theoc´ritos, theEcloguesof Virgil, and theShepheardes Calendarof Spenser.

Men´cia of Mosquera(Donna) married Don Alvaro de Mello. A few days after the marriage, Alvaro happened to quarrel with Don An´drea de Baesa and kill him. He was obliged to flee from Spain, leaving his bride behind, and his property was confiscated. For seven years she received no intelligence of his whereabouts (for he was a slave most of the time), but when seven years had elapsed the report of his death in Fez reached her. The youngwidow now married the marquis of Guardia, who lived in a grand castle near Burgos, but walking in the grounds one morning she was struck with the earnestness with which one of the under-gardeners looked at her. This man proved to be her first husband, Don Alvaro, with whom she now fled from the castle; but on the road a gang of robbers fell upon them. Alvaro was killed, and the lady taken to the robbers’ cave, where Gil Blas saw her and heard her sad tale. The lady was soon released, and sent to the castle of the marquis of Guardia. She found the marquis dying from grief, and indeed he died the day following, and Mencia retired to a convent.—Lesage,Gil Blas, i. 11-14 (1715).

Mendo´za, a Jew prize-fighter, who held the belt at the close of the last century, and in 1791 opened the Lyceum in the Strand, to teach “the noble art of self-defence.”

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