Chapter Eloa to Emerald Isle of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Elspeth (Auld), the old servant of Dandie Dinmont the store-farmer at Charlie’s Hope.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

Elspeth (Old) of the Craigburnfoot, the mother of Saunders Mucklebacket (the old fisherman at Musselerag), and formerly servant to the countess of Glenallan.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).

Elvino, a wealthy farmer, in love with Amina the somnambulist. (For the tale, see Sonnambula.)—Bellini: La Sonnambula (an opera, 1831).

ELVIRA, sister of don Duart, and niece of the governor of Lisbon. She marries Clodio, the coxcomb son of don Antonio.—Cibber: Love Makes a Man.

Elvira, the young wife of Gomez, a rich old banker. She carries on a liaison with colonel Lorenzo, by the aid of her father-confessor Dominick, but is always checkmated; and it turns out that Lorenzo is her brother.—Dryden: The Spanish Fryar (1680).

Elvira, a noble lady, who gives up everything to become the mistress of Pizarro. She tries to soften his rude and cruel nature, and to lead him into more generous ways. Her love being changed to hate, she engages Rolla to slay Pizarro in his tent; but the noble Peruvian spares his enemy, and makes him a friend. Ultimately, Pizarro is slain in a fight with Alonzo, and Elvira retires to a convent.—Sheridan: Pizarro (altered from Kotzebue, 1799).

Elvira (Donna), a lady deceived by don Giovanni, who basely deluded her into an amour with his valet Leporello.—Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni (1787).

Elvira “the puritan,” daughter of lord Walton, betrothed to Arturo (lord Arthur Talbot), a cavalier. On the day of espousals the young man aids Enrichetta (Henrietta, widow of Charles I.) to escape, and Elvira, thinking he has eloped with a rival, temporarily loses her reason. Cromwell’s soldiers arrest Arturo for treason, but he is subsequently pardoned, and marries Elvira.—Bellini: I Puritani (an opera, 1834).

Elvira, a lady in love with Ernani the robber-captain and head of a league against don Carlos (afterwards Charles V. of Spain). Ernani was just on the point of marrying Elvira, when he was summoned to death by Gomez de Silva, and stabbed himself.—Verdi: Ernani (an opera, 1841).

Elvira, betrothed to Alfonso (son of the duke d’Arcos). No sooner is the marriage completed than she learns that A lfonso has seduced Fenella, a dumb girl, sister of Masaniello the fisherman. Masaniello, to revenge his wrongs, heads an insurrection, and Alfonso with Elvira run for safety to the fisherman’s hut, where they find Fenella, who promises to protect them. Masaniello, being made chief magistrate of Portico, is killed by the mob; Fenella throws herself into the crater of Vesuvius; and Alfonso is left to live in peace with Elvira.—Auber: Masaniello (an opera, 1831).

Elvire , the wife of don Juan, whom he abandons. She enters a convent, and tries to reclaim her profligate husband, but without success.—Molière: Don Juan (1665).

Ely (Bishop of), introduced by sir W. Scott in the Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Elysium [the Elysian fields], the land of the blest, to which the favoured of the gods passed without dying. The Elysian Fields lie in one of the “Fortunate Islands” (Canaries).

Fancy dreams
Of sacred fountains, and Elysian groves,
And vales of bliss.
   —Akenside: Pleasures of Imagination, i. (1744).