Chapter Chaonian Food to Charles of C by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Chaonian Food to Charles

Chaonian Food, acorns; so called from the oak trees of Dodona, which gave out the oracles by means of bells hung among the branches. Beech mast is so called also, because beech trees abounded in the forest of Dodona.

Chapelle Aventureuse, the place where Launcelot had his second vision of the “Beatific Cup.” His first was during his fit of madness.

Slumbering, he saw the vision high,
He might not view with waking eye.
   —Sir W. Scott: Marmion (1808).

Characters of Vathek’s Sabres. “Like the characters of Vathek’s sabres, they never remained two days alike.” These sabres would deal blows without being wielded by man, obedient to his wish only.—Beckford: Vathek (1784).

Charalois, son of the marshal of Burgundy. When he was 28 years old, his father died in prison at Dijon, for debts contracted by him for the service of the State in the wars. According to the law which then prevailed in France, the body of the marshal was seized by his creditors, and refused burial. The son of Charalois redeemed his father’s body by his own, which was shut up in prison in lieu of the marshal.—Massinger: The Fatal Dowry (1632).

It will be remembered that Miltiadês, the Athenian general, died in prison for debt, and the creditors claimed the body, which they would not suffer to be buried till his son Cimon gave up himself as a hostage.

Charegite. The Charegite assassin, in the disguise of a Turkish marabout or enthusiast, comes and dances before the tent of Richard Cœur de Lion, and suddenly darting forward, is about to stab the king, when a Nubian seizes his arm, and the king kills the assassin on the spot.—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Charge of the Light Brigade, or “The Death Charge of the 600 at Balaclava,” Sept. 20, 1854. The brigade consisted of the 13th Light Dragoons, the 17th Lancers, the 11th Hussars commanded by lord Cardigan, the 8th Hussars, and the 4th Light Dragoons. The Russians were advancing in great strength to intercept the Turkish and British forces, when lord Raglan (commander-in-chief) sent an order to lord Lucan to advance, and lord Lucan (not understanding what was intended) applied to captain Nolan, who brought the message, for information. Nolan replied, “There, my lord, is your enemy.” Lucan then gave orders to lord Cardigan to attack, and the 600 rode forward into the jaws of death. In 20 minutes, 12 officers were slain, and 4 others wounded; 147 men were slain, and 110 wounded. The blunder must be shared by lord Lucan, general Airey, and captain Nolan. However, never was victory more glorious to the devoted men than this useless and deadly charge. It “was magnificent, but it was not war,” and when lord Cardigan rallied the scattered remains, he said, “My men, some one has blundered.” They replied, “Never mind, my lord, we are ready to charge again if it is your lordship’s command.” Tennyson wrote a poem on the fatal charge.

N. B.—Coincidences. The names of the four persons concerned all end in -an; Raglan told Nolan, Nolan told Lucan, and Lucan told Cardigan. The initials of these names make R a C-L a N, very near the name R a G-L a N.

Charicleia, the fiancée of Theagenês, in the Greek romance called The Loves of Theagenês and Charicleia, by Heliodoros bishop of Trikka (fourth century).

Charino, father of Angelina. Charino wishes Angelina to marry Clodio, a young coxcomb; but the lady prefers his elder brother Carlos, a young bookworm. Love changes the character of the diffident Carlos, and Charino at last accepts him for his son-in-law. Charino is a testy, obstinate old man, who wants to rule the whole world in his own way.—Cibber: Love Makes a Man (1694).

Charivari. In the Middle Ages a “charivari” consisted of an assemblage of ragamuffins, who, armed with tin pots and pans, fire-shovels, and kettles, gathered in the dark outside the house of any obnoxious