Chapter Barzillai to Batavia of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Bassianus, brot her of Saturnius emperor of Rome, in love with Lavinia daughter of Titus Andronicus (properly Andronicus). He is stabbed by Demetrius and Chiron, sons of Tamora queen of the Goths.—(?)Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus (1593).

Bassino (Count), the “perjured husband” of Aurelia, slain by Alonzo.—Mrs. Centlivre: The Perjured Husband (1700).

Bastard. Homer was probably a bastar d. Virgil was certainly one. Neoptolemos was the bastard son of Achillês by Deidamia . Romulus and Remus, if they ever existed, were the love-sons of a vestal. Brutus the regicide was a bastard. Ulysses was probably so, Teucer certainly, and Darius gloried in the surname of Nothos.

Bastard (The), in English history is William I., natural son of Robert le Diable. His mother was a peasant- girl of Falaise.

Bastard of Orleans, Jean Dunois, a natural son of Lou is duc d’Orleans (brother of Charles VI.), and one of the most brilliant soldiers France ever produced (1403–1468). Béranger mentions him in his Charles Sept.

Bastille. The prisoner who had been confined in the Bastille for sixty-one years was A. M. Dussault, who was incarcerated by cardinal Richelieu.

Bat. In South Staffordshire that slaty coal which will not burn, but which lies in the fire till it becomes red hot, is called “bat;” hence the expression, Warm as a bat.

Batavia, Holland or the Netherlands. So called from the Batavians, a Celtic tribe, which dwelt there.

…void of care,
Batavia rushes forth; and as they sweep
On sounding skates, a thousand different ways,
The then gay land is maddened all with joy.
   —Thomson: Seasons (“Winter,” 1726).