Chapter Castagnette to Cat of C by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Castagnette to Cat

Castagnette (Captain), a hero whose stomach was replaced by a leather one made by Desgenettes [Da-ge-net], but his career was soon ended by a bombshell, which blew him into atoms.—Manuel: A French Extravaganza.

Castalio, son of lord Acasto, and Polydore’s twin-brother. Both the brothers loved their father’s ward, Monimia “the orphan.” The love of Polydore was dishonourable love, but Castalio loved her truly and married her in private. On the bridal night Polydore by treachery took his brother’s place, and next day, when Monimia discovered the deceit which had been practised on her, and Polydore heard that Monimia was really married to his brother, the bride poisoned herself, the adulterer ran upon his brother’s sword, and the husband stabbed himself.—Otway: The Orphan (1680).

Mr. Wilks’s excellence in comedy was never once disputed, but the best judges extol him for different parts in tragedy, as “Hamlet,” “Castalio,” “Edgar,” “Moneses,” “Jaffier.”—Chetwood.

(“Hamlet” (Shakespeare); “Edgar” (King Lear, Shakespeare); “Moneses” (Tamerlane, Rowe); “Jaffier” (Venice Preserved, by Otway).)

Castaly, a fountain of Parnassos, sacred to the Muses. Its waters had the virtue of inspiring those who drank thereof with the gift of poetry.

Castara, the lady addressed by Wm. Habington in his poems. She was Lucy Herbert (daughter of Wm. Herbert, first lord Powis), and became his wife. (Latin, casta, “chaste.”)

If then, Castara, I in heaven nor move,
Nor earth, nor hell, where am I but in love?
   —W. Habington: To Castara (died 1654).

The poetry of Habington shows that he possessed …a real passion for a lady of birth and virtue, the “Castara,” whom he afterwards married.—Hallam.

Castle Dangerous, a novel by sir W. Scott, after the wreck of his fortune and repeated strokes of paralysis (1831). Those who read it must remember they are the last notes of a dying swan, and forbear to scan its merits too strictly.

Castle Dangerous, or “The Perilous Castle of Douglas.” So called because it was thrice taken from the English between 1306 and 1307.

1. On Palm Sunday, while the English soldiers were at church, Douglas fell on them and slew them; then, entering the castle, he put to the sword all he found there, and set fire to the castle (March 19).

2. The castle being restored was placed under the guard of Thirwall, but Douglas disguised his soldiers as drovers, and Thirwall resolved to “pillage the rogues.” He set upon them to drive off the herds, but the “drovers,” being too strong for the attacking party, overpowered them, and again Douglas made himself master of the castle.

3. Sir John de Walton next volunteered to hold the castle for a year and a day, but Douglas disguised his soldiers as market-men carrying corn and grass to Lanark. Sir John, in an attempt to plunder the men, set upon them, but was overmastered and slain. This is the subject of sir W. Scott’s novel called Castle Dangerous, but instead of the market-men “with corn and grass,” the novel substitutes lady Augusta, the prisoner of Black Douglas, whom he promises to release if the castle is surrendered to him. De Walton consents, gives up the castle, and marries the lady Augusta.

Castle Perilous, the habitation of lady Lionês (called by Tennyson Lyonors). Here she was held captive by sir Ironside the Red Knight of the Red Lands. Sir Gareth overcame the knight, and married the lady.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 120-153.