Chapter Dombey to Donica of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Dominique , the gossiping old footman of the Franvals, who fancies himself quite fit to keep a secret. He is, however, a really faithful retainer of the family.—Holcroft: The Deaf and Dumb (1785).

Domitian a Marksman. The emperor Domitian was so cunning a marksman, that if a boy at a good distance off held up his hand and spread out his fingers, he could shoot through the spaces without touching the boy’s hand or any one of his fingers. (See Tell, for many similar marksmen.)—Peacham: Complete Gentleman (1627).

Domizia, a noble lady of Florence, greatly embittered against the republic for its base ingratitude to her two brothers, Porzio and Berto, whose death she hoped to revenge.

I am a daughter of the Traversari,
Sister of Porzio and Berto both …
I knew that Florence, that could doubt their faith,
Must needs mistrust a stranger’s; holding back
Reward from them, must hold back his reward.
   —R. Browning: Luria, iii.

Don Alphonso, son of a rich banker. In love with Victoria, the daughter of don Scipio; but Victoria marries don Fernando. Lorenzo, who went by the name of Victoria for a time, and is the person don Alphonso meant to marry, espouses don Cæsar.—O’Keefe: Castle of Andalusia (1798).

Don Juan. (See Juan.)

Don Quixote, a satirical romance, in ridicule of the tales of chivalry, by Cervantes , a Spaniard. Part i. in 1605; part ii. in 1615.

English translations: Duffield, 1881; Jarvis (good), 1742; Motteux, 1719; Skelton (the first, good), 1612–1620; Smollett, 1755; Wilmot, 1774; etc.

Dramatized, in 1696, by Durfey, and in 1716 by Fielding. Converted into an opera by Macfarren in 1846.

Don Sebastian. (See Sebastian.)

For other “dons,” see the proper name.

Donacha dhu na Dunaigh, the Highland robber near Roseneath.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Donald, the Scotch steward of Mr. Mordent. Honest, plain-spoken, faithful, and unflinching in his duty.—Holcroft: The Deserted Daughter (1785, altered into The Steward).

Donald, an old domestic of MacAulay, the Highland chief.—Sir W. Scott: Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).

Donald of the Hammer, son of the laird of Invernahyle of the West Highlands of Scotland. When Green Colin assassinated the laird and his household, the infant Donald was saved by his foster-nurse, and afterwards brought up by her husband, a blacksmith. He became so strong that he could work for hours with two fore-hammers, one in each hand, and was therefore called Donuil nan Ord. When he was 21 he marched with a few adherents against Green Colin, and slew him; by which means he recovered his paternal inheritance.

Donald of the smithy, the “son of the hammer,”
Filled the banks of Lochawe with mourning and clamour.
   —Quoted by sir Walter Scott, in Tales of a Grandfather, i. 39.

Donar, same as Thor (q.v.), the god of thunder among the ancient Teutons.

Donation of Pepin. When Pepin conquered Ataulf (Adolphus), the exarchate of Ravenna fell into his hands. Pepin gave the pope both the ex-archate and the republic of Rome; and this munificent gift is