Chapter Gem Alphabet to Gentleman Smith of G by Brewer's Readers Handbook

July, the carnelian, symbolizing cure of evils resulting from forgetfulness.

August, the sardonyx or onyx, symbolizing conjugal felicity.

September, the chrysolite, symbolizing preservation from folly, or its cure.

October, the aqua-marine, opal, or beryl, symbolizing hope.

November, the topaz, symbolizing fidelity and friendship.

December, the turquoise or ruby, symbolizing brilliant success.

Some doubt exists between May and June, July and August. Thus some give the agate to May, and the emerald to June; the carnelian to August, and the onyx to July.

Gembok or Gemsboc, a sort of stag, a native of South Africa. It is a heavy, stout animal, which makes such use of its horns as even to beat off the lion.

Far into the heat among the sands,
The gembok nations, snuffing up the wind
Drawn by the scent of water; and the bands
Of tawny-bearded lions pacing, blind
With the sun-dazzle … and spiritless for lack of rest.
   —Jean Ingelow: The Four Bridges.

Gemini [“the twins”]. Castor and Pollux are the two principal stars of this constellation; the former has a bluish tinge, and the latter a damask red.

As heaven’s high twins, whereof in Tyrian blue
The one revolveth; through his course immense
Might love his fellow of the damask hue.
   —Jean Ingelow: Honours, i.

Gemini. Mrs. Browning makes Eve view in the constellation Gemini a symbol of the increase of the human race, and she loved to gaze on it.—A Drama of Exile (1850).

Genesis. The Greek name for the first book of the Old Testament. The Jews call it “In the beginning,” from the first words (chap. i. 1). The Greek word means “Origin,” and the book is so called because it tells us the “origin” of all created things. It carries down the history of the world for 2369 years. Its main subjects are the history of Adam and Eve till their expulsion from paradise; the Flood; and the dispersion of the human race.

It contains also a brief account of Cain and Abel, two sons of Adam; of Noah and his three sons; of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and jacob; and a pretty full account of Joseph, a romance of life more romantic than any fiction ever written.

Geneura. (See Gineura, p. 424.)

(Queen Guinever or Guenever is sometimes called “Geneura” or “Genevra.”)

Geneva Bull (The), Stephen Marshall, a Calvinistic preacher.

Geneviève (St.), the patron saint of Paris, born at Nanterre. She was a shepherdess, but went to Paris when her parents died, and was there during Attila’s invasion (A.D. 451). She told the citizens that God would spare the city, and “her prediction came true.” At another time she procured food for the Parisians suffering from famine. At her request, Clovis built the church of St. Pierre et St. Paul, afterwards called Ste. Geneviève . Her day is January 3. Her relics are deposited in the Panthéon now called by her name (419–512).

Genii or Ginn, an intermediate race between angels and men. They ruled on earth before the creation of Adam.—D’Herbelot: Bibliothèque Orientale, 357 (1697).