Chapter Eureka! to Evangeline of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Eustace (Jack), the lover of Lucinda, and “a very worthy young fellow,” of good character and family. As justice Woodcock was averse to the marriage, Jack introduced himself as a music-master, and sir William Meadows, who recognized him, persuaded the justice to consent to the marriage of the young couple. This he was the more ready to do as his sister Deborah said positively he “should not do it.”—Bickerstaff: Love in a Village (1762).

Euthanasia, an easy, happy death. The word occurs in the Dunciad, and Byron has a poem so called. Euthanasia generally means a harbour of rest and peace after the storms of life: “Inveni portum; épes et fortuna valete,” i.e. “I have found my Euthanasia, farewell to the battle of life.” (Greek, eu thanatos, “a happy death.”)

I think there is a great deal to be said in favour of euthanasia,” said phœbe, “but then it ought to be with the consent of the victims.”—Mrs. Oliphant: Phœbe, Jun., iii. 6.

A happy rural retreat … the Euthanasla of a life of carefulness and toil?—Encyclopædia Britannica. article, “Romance.” The reference is to Gil Blas.

Eva, daughter of Torquil of the Oak. She is betrothed to Ferquhard Day.—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

There is an Eva in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Mrs. Beecher Stowe (1850).

Evadne, wife of Kapaneus. She threw herself on the funeral pile of her husband, and was consumed with him.

Evadne, sister of Melantius. Amintor was compelled by the king to marry her, although he was betrothed to Aspasia (the “maid” whose death forms the tragical event of the drama).—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Maid’s Tragedy (1610).

The purity of female virtue in Aspasia is well contrasted with the guilty boldness of Evadnê, and the rough soliderlike bearing and manly feeling of Melantius render the selfish sensuality of the king more hateful and disgusting.—R. Chambers: English Literature, i. 204.

Evadne or The Statue, a drama by Sheil (1820). Ludovico, the chief minister of Naples, heads a conspiracy to murder the king and seize the crown; his great stumbling-block is the marquis of Colonna, a high- minded nobleman, who cannot be corrupted. The sister of the marquis is Evadnê, plighted to Vicentio. Ludovico’s scheme is to get Colonna to murder Vicentio and the king, and then to debauch Evadnê. With this in view, he persuades Vicentio that Evadnê is the king’s fille d’amour, and that she marries him merely as a flimsy cloak, but he adds, “Never mind, it will make your fortune.” The proud Neapolitan is disgusted, and flings off Evadnê as a viper. Her brother is indignant, challenges the troth-plight lover to a duel, and Vicentio falls. Ludovico now irritates Colonna by talking of the king’s amour, and induces him to invite the king to a banquet and then murder him. The king goes to the banquet, and Evadnê shows him the statues of the Colonna family, and amongst them one of her own father, who at the battle of Milan had saved the king’s life by his own. The king is struck with remorse, but at this moment Ludovico enters, and the king conceals himself behind the statue. Colonna tells the traitor minister the deed is done, and Ludovico orders his instant arrest, gibes him as his dupe, and exclaims, “Now I am king indeed!” At this moment the king comes forward, releases Colonna, and orders Ludovico to be arrested. The traitor draws his sword, and Colonna kills him. Vicentio now enters, tells how his ear has been abused, and marries Evadnê.

Evan Dhu of Lochiel, a Highland chief in the army of Montrose.—Sir W. Scott: Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).

Evan Dhu M‘Combich, the foster-brother of M‘lvor.—Sir W. Scott: Waverley (time, George II.).