Chapter Annir to Antiope of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Annir to Antiope

Annir, king of Inis-thona (an island of Scandinavia). He had two sons (Argon and Ruro) and one daughter. One day Cormalo, a neighbouring chief, came and begged the honour of a tournament. Argon granted the request, and overthrew him, which so vexed Cormalo that during a hunt he shot both the brothers secretly with his bow. Their dog Runa ran to the palace, and howled so as to attract attention; whereupon Annir followed the hound, and found both his sons dead, and on his return he further found that Cormalo had carried off his daughter. Oscar, son of Ossian, led an army against the villain, and slew him; then liberating the young lady, he took her back to Inis-thona, and delivered her to her father.—Ossian: The War of Inis-thona.

Annophel, daughter of Cassilane general of Candy.—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Laws of Candy (1647).

Annual Register (The), a summary of the chief historic events of the past year, first published by John Dodsley, in 1758.

Annus Mirabilis (the wonderful year of 1666), a poem of 304 four-line stanzas in alternate rhyme, by Dryden. The year referred to was noted for our victories over the Dutch and for the Great Fire of London, which followed the plague of 1665.

In June the English ruined the Dutch fleet and drove it out of the seas. In the first four days of this month the Dutch lost 15 ships, and on the 20th (at the mouth of the Thames) 24 ships, 4 admirals, and 4000 other officers and seamen. Prince Rupert greatly distinguished himself.

In September the same year occurred the Great Fire of London, which in four days laid waste 400 streets, burnt down 13,200 houses, 89 churches, the Royal Exchange, the Custom House, Guildhall, and many other public buildings.

Anselm, prior of St. Dominic, the confessor of king Henry IV.—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Anselme, father of Valère and Mariane . In reality he is don T homas d’Alb urci, of Naples. The family were exiled from Naples for political reasons, and, being shipwreck ed, were all parted. Valère was picked up by a Spanish captain, who adopted him; Mariane fell into t he hands of a corsair, who kept her a captive for ten years, when she effected her escape; and Anselme wandered from place to place for ten years, when he settled in Paris, and intended to marry. At the expiration of sixteen years they all met in Paris at the house of Harpagon, the miser. Valère was in love with Elise, the miser’s daughter, promised by Harpagon in marriage to Anselme; and Mariane, affianced to the miser’s son Cléante, was sought in marriage by Harpagon, the old father. As soon as Anselme discovered that Valère and Mariane were his own children, matters were amicably arranged, the young people married, and the old ones retired from the unequal contest.—Molière: L’Avare (1667).

Anselmo, a noble cavalier of Florence, the friend of Lothario. Anselmo married Camilla, and induced his friend to try to corrupt her, that he might rejoice in her incorruptible fidelity. Lothario unwillingly undertook the task, and succeeded but too well. For a time Anselmo was deceived, but at length Camilla eloped, and the end of the silly affairs was that Anselmo died of grief, Lothario was slain in battle, and Camilla died in a convent.—Cervantes: Don Quixote, I. iv. 5, 6; Fatal Curiosity (1605).

Anster (Hob), a constable at Kinross village.—Sir W. Scott: The Abbot (time, Elizabeth).

Anster Fair, a mock-heroic by W. Tennant (1812). The subject is the marriage of Maggie Lauder. Frere’s Monks and Giants, suggested by Anster Fair, suggested in turn Byron’s Beppo.

Ant (The). Ants’ eggs are an antidote to love.

Ants never sleep. Emerson says this is a “recently observed fact.”—Nature, iv.