Chapter Appetiser to Aranza of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Appetiser to Aranza

Appetiser. A Scotchman being told that the birds called kittiewiaks were admirable appetisers, ate six of them, and then complained “he was no hungrier than he was before.”

Appius, in Pope’s Essay on Criticism, is intended for John Dennis, the critic (1709).

Applus reddens at each word you speak,
And stares tremendous, with a threatening eyes,
Like some fierce tyrant in old tapestry.
Fears most to tax an honourable fool,
Whose right it is, uncensured to be dull.
   —Pope: Essay on Criticism, 585-589.

Appius and Virginia, one of Macaulay’s lays. Also a “Morality” by R. B. (1574); a tragedy by Webster (1654); a tragedy by Dennis (1705).

Apple (Prince Ahmed’s), a cure for every disorder.—Arabian Nights’ Entertainments (Ahmed and Pari- banou”).

The Singing Apple, the perfect embellisher of wit. It would persuade by its smell alone, and would enable the possessor to write poetry or prose, to make people laugh or cry, and discoursed such excellent music as to ravish every one.—Comtesse D’Aulnoy: Fairy Tales (“Chery and Fairstar,” 1682).

Apples of Sodom (called by Witman, oranges) are the yellow fruit of the osher or ashey tree. Tacitus (History, v. 7) and Josephus both refer to these apples. Therenot says, “The fruit is lovely [externally], but within is full of ashes.”

The fruit of the osher or ashey tree, called “Apples or Oranges of Sodom,” resembles a smooth apple or orange, hangs in clusters of three or four on a branch, and is of a yellow colour when ripe. Upon being struck or pressed, it explodes with a puff, and is reduced to the rind and a few fibres, being chiefly filled with air.—Gallery of Geography, 811.

Like to the apples on the Dead Sea shore,
All ashes to the taste.
   —Byron: Childe Harold, iii. 34.

Apprentice’s Wise Choice (An). A loving couple of Cantire had one son; but being very poor, the husband came to England, and took service with a farmer. Years rolled on, and the man resolved to return home. His master asked him which he would take—his wages or three bits of advice? and he chose the latter. The three bits of advice were these: (I) Keep in the high-road; (2) never lodge in a house where there is an old man with a young wife; and (3) do nothing rashly. On his way home he met a pedlar going the same way, who told him he would show him a short cut, but the Highlander said he would keep the highroad. The pedlar, who took the short cut, fell among thieves, and was robbed of everything. They met again, and the pedlar advised him to put up for the night at a roadside house; but when he found that the old man had lately married a young wife, he passed on. In the night the old landlord was murdered, and the pedlar was accused of the crime. At length the Highlander reached Cantire, and saw his wife caressing a young man. In his rage he would have killed the young man, but, determined to “do nothing rashly,” he asked who the young man was, and discovered it was his own son. To crown all, when the Highlander opened the cake given him by his late master as a present to his wife, he found in it his wages in full.—Cuthbert Bede: The White Wife, and other Stories (1864).

The following is a somewhat similar tale: A poor man, not long married, started for Maremma to earn a livelihood, and, after the lapse of some years, returned home. On his way he asked a publican for alms, and the publican replied, “Which shall I give you—three scudi or three bits of advice?” The man chose the latter, and the publican said to him, “(I) Never interfere with what does not concern you; (2) never leave the high-road for a short cut; and (3) keep your wounded pride under control till the following day.” On his way home he lodged at an inn where a murder was committed, but kept a wise tongue in his head, and was suffered to depart in peace. As he journeyed on he was advised by a traveller to take a short cut, but declined doing so; and the traveller, who left him, was murdered by highwaymen. On reaching home he beheld his wife caressing a young priest, but he kept his wounded pride under control