Chapter Aaron to Abensberg of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Roland Græme is discovered to be the son of Julian Avenel and Catherine Græme. He married Catherine Seyton, a daughter of Lord Seyton, and was heir to the barony of Avenel. Mary of Scotland is excellently portrayed in this novel, and Queen Elizabeth in Kenilworth.

Abbotsford Club, limited to 50 members. It was founded in 1835, for the publication (in quarto) of works pertaining to Scotch history, antiquities, and literature in general. It published upwards of 30 volumes. Extinct.

Abdal-azis, the Moorish governor of Spain after the overthrow of king Roderick. When the Moor assumed regal state and affected Gothic sovereignty, his subjects were so offended that they revolted and murdered him. He married Egilona, formerly the wife of Roderick.—Southey: Roderick, etc., xxii. (1814).

Abdalaziz (Omar ben), a caliph raised to “Mahomet’s bosom” in reward of his great abstinence and self- denial.—Herbelot, 690.

He was by no means scrupulous; nor did he think with the caliph Omar ben Abdalaziz that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to enjoy paradise in the next.—W. Beckford: Vathek (1786).

Adbaldar, one of the magicians in the Domdaniel caverns, “under the roots of the ocean.” These spirits were destined to be destroyed by one of the race of Hodeirah , so they persecuted the race even to death. Only one survived, named Thalaba, and Abdaldar was appointed by lot to find him out and kill him. He discovered the stripling in an Arab’s tent, and while in prayer was about to stab him to the heart, when the angel of death breathed on the would-be murderer, and he fell dead with the dagger in his hand. Thalaba drew from the magician’s finger a ring which gave him command over the spirits.—Southey: Thalaba the Destroyer, ii., iii. (1797).

Abdalla, one of sir Brian de Bois Gilbert’s slaves.—Sir W. Scott: Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Abdallah, brother and predecessor of Giaffer , pacha of Abydos. He was murdered by the pacha.—Byron: Bride of Abydos.

Abdallah el Hadgi, Saladin’s envoy.—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Abdals or Santons, a class of religionists who pretend to be inspired with the most ravishing raptures of divine love. Regarded with great veneration by the vulgar.—Olearius, i. 971.

Abderian Laughter, scoffing laughter, so called from Abdera, the birthplace of Democritus, the scoffing or laughing philosopher.

Abdiel, the faithful seraph who withstood Satan when urged to revolt.

… the seraph Abdiel, faithful found
Among the faithless; faithful only he
Among innumerable false; unmoved,
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
   —Milton: Paradise Lost, v. 896, etc. (1665).

Abel Shufflebottom, the name assumed by Robert Southey in some amatory poems published in 1799.

Abellino, the hero of “Monk” Lewis’s story, called the Bravo of Venice. He appears sometimes as a beggar, and sometimes as a bandit. Abellino falls in love with the niece of the doge of Venice, and marries her.

Abensberg (Count), the father of thirty-two children. When Henirich II. made his progress through Germany, and other courtiers presented their offerings, the count brought forward his thirty-two children, “as the most valuable offering he could make to his king and country.”