Chapter Fledgeby to Flora of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Fledgeby to Flora

Fledgeby, an over-reaching, cowardly sneak, who conceals his dirty bill-broking under the trade-name of Pubsey and Co. He is soundly thrashed by Alfred Lammle, and quietly pockets the affront.—Dickens: Our Mutual Friend (1864).

Fleece (The), a poem in blank verse, divided into three books, on the subject of wool, by John Dyer (1757).

Fleece of Gold (Order of the), instituted, in 1430, by Philippe de Bourgogne, surnamed Le Bon.

Stately dames, like queens attended, knights who bore the Fleece of Gold.
   —Longfellow: Belfry of Bruges.

Fleecebumpkin, bailiff of Mr. Ireby, the country squire.—Sir W. Scott: The Two Drovers (time, George III.).

Fleeceem (Mrs.), meant for Mrs. Rudd, a smuggler, thief, milliner, matchmaker, and procuress.—Foote: The Cozeners.

Fleetwood, or The New Man of Feeling, the hero of a novel so named by W. Godwin (1805).

FLEMING (Archdeacon), the clergyman to whom old Meg Murdochson made her confession.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Fleming (Sir Malcolm), a former suitor of lady Margaret de Hautlieu.—Sir W. Scott: Castle Dangerous (time, Henry I.).

Fleming (Lady Mary), one of the maids of honour to Mary queen of Scots.—Sir W. Scott: The Abbot (time, Elizabeth).

Fleming (Rose), niece of Mrs. Maylie. Rose marries her cousin Harry Maylie.

She was past 17. Cast in so slight and exquisite a mould, so mild and gentle, so pure and beautiful, that earth seemed not her element, nor its rough creatures her fit companions. The very intelligence that shone in her deep blue eye … seemed scarcely … of the world, and yet the changing expression of sweetness and good-humour, the thousand lights that played about the face … above all the smile, the cheerful, happy smile, were made for home and fireside peace and happiness.—Dickens: Oliver Twist, xxix. (1837).

Flemish School (The), a school of painting commencing in the fifteenth century, with the brothers Van Eyck. The chief early masters were Memling, Weyden, Matsys, Mabuse, and More. The chief of the second period were Rubens, Rembrandt, Paul Potter, Cuyp, Vandyck, Snyders, Jordaens, Kaspar de Crayer, and the younger Teniers.

Fleshly School (The), a class of British poets of which Swinburne, Rossetti, Morris, etc., are exponents. So called from the sensuous character of their poetry.

(It was Thomas Maitland [i.e. R. W. Buchanan] who first gave them this appellation in the Contemporary Review.)

Fleta, a Latin treatise on English law. Author uncertain.

Fletcher (Dick), one of the crew of the pirate vessel.—Sir W. Scott: The Pirate (time, William III.).

Fleur de Marie, the betrothed of captain Phœbus.—Victor Hugo: Notre Dame de Paris (1831).

Fleurant, an apothecary. He flies into a rage becaus e Béralde says to his brother, “Remettez cela à une fois, et demeurez un peu en repos.” The apothecary flares out, “De quoi vous mêlez vous de vous opposer