Chapter Cumberland to Cushla Machree of C by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Cumberland to Cushla Machree

Cumberland (John of). “The devil and John of Cumberland” is a blunder for “The devil and John-a- Cumber.” John-a-Cumber was a famous Scotch magician.

He poste to Scotland for brave John-a-Cumber,
The only man renownde for magick skill.
Oft have I heard he once beguylde the devill.
   —Munday: John-a-Kent and John-a-Cumber 1595).

Cumberland (William Augustus duke of), commander-in-chief of the army of George II., whose son he was. The duke was especially celebrated for his victory of Cullod’en (1746); but he was called “The Butcher” from the great severity with which he stamped out the clan system of the Scottish Highlanders. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Dettingen (1743). Sir W. Scott has introduced him in Waverley (time, George II.).

Proud Cumberland prances, insulting the slain,
And their hoof-beaten bosoms are trod to the plain.
   —Campbell: Locheil’s Warning.

Cumberland Poet (The), William Wordsworth, born at Cockermouth (1770–1850).

Cumbria. It included Cumberland, Dumbarton, Renfrew, Ayr, Lanark, Peebles, Selkirk, Roxburgh, and Dumfries.

Cumnor Hall, a ballad by Mickle, the lament of Amy Robsart, who had been won and thrown away by the earl of Leicester. She says if roses and lilies grow in courts, why did he pluck the primrose of the field, which some country swain might have won and valued? Thus sore and sad the lady grieved in Cumnor Hall, and ere dawn the deathbell rang, and never more was that countess seen.

(Sir W. Scott took this for the groundwork of his Kenilworth, which he called Cumnor Hall, but Constable, his publisher, requested him to change the name.)

Cunègonde [Ku.na.gond], the mistress of Candide , in Voltaire’s novel called Candide. Sterne spells it “Cunëgund.”

Cunningham (Archie), one of the archers of the Scotch Guards at Plessis lés Tours, in the pay of Louis XI.—Sir W. Scott: Quentin Durward (time, Edward IV.).

Cuno, the ranger, father of Agatha.—Weber: Der Freischütz (1822).

Cunobeline, a king of the Silurês, son of Tasciovanus and father of Caractâcus. Coins still exist bearing the name of “Cunobeline,” and the word “Camalodunum” [Colchester], the capital of hi s kingdom. The Roman general between A.D. 43 and 47 was Aulus Plautius, but in 47 Ostorius Scapûla took Caractacus prisoner. Some think Cunobeline is Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline,” who reigned from B.C. 8 to A.D. 27; but Cymbeline’s father was Tenantius or Tenuantius, his sons Guiderius and Arviragus, and the Roman general was Caius Lucius.

…the courageous sons of our Cunobelin
Sank under Plautius’ sword.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, viii. (1612).

Cunstance or Constance. (See Custance, p. 252.)

Cupar Justice, hang first, and try afterwards. (Same as “Jedbury Justice.”)

Cupid and Campaspe . A song of Lyly in his play of Alexander and Campaspe (1586).

When Cupid and Campaspe played
At cards for kisses, Cupid paid.
   —Lily.

Cupid and Psyche [Siky], an episode in The Golden Ass of Apuleius (books iv., v., vi.). The allegory represents Cupid in love with Psychê. He visited her every evening, and left at sunrise, but strictly enjoined her not to attempt to discover who he was. One night curiosity overcame her prudence, and going to