Chapter Hic Jacet to Hinges of H by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Hic Jacet to Hinges

Hic Jacet, an epitaph, a funeral. The first words on old tombstones = Here lies…etc.

The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true … performed. I would have that drum…or hic jacet [that is, die in my attempt to get it].—Shakespeare: All’s Well that Ends Well (1598).

Hickathrift (Tom or Jack), a poor labourer in the time of the Conquest, of such enormous strength that he killed, with an axletree and cartwheel, a huge giant, who lived in a marsh at Tylney, in Norfolk. He was knighted, and made governor of Thanet. Hickathrift is sometimes called Hickafric.

When a man sits down to write a history, though it be but the history of Jack Hickathrift,…he knows no more than his heels what lets…he is to meet with in his way.—Sterne.

Hickory (Old), general Andrew Jackson. He was first called “Tough,” then “Tough as Hickory,” and, lastly, “Old Hickory.” Another story is that in 1813, when engaged in war with the Creek Indians, he fell short of supplies, and fed his men on hickory nuts (1767–1845).

This general Andrew Jackson must not be confounded with general Thomas Jackson, better known as “Stone-wall” Jackson (1826–1863).

Hierocles (4 syl.), the first person who compiled jokes and bon mots. After a lifelong labour, he got together twenty-eight, which he left to the world as his legacy. Hence arose the phrasë, An Hi eroclean legacy, no legacy at all, a legacy of empty promises, or a legacy of no worth.
One of his anecdotes is that of a man who wanted to sell his house, and carried about a brick to show as a specimen of it.

He that tries to recommend Shakespeare by select quotations, will succeed like the pedant in Hierocles, who, when he offered his house for sale, carried a brick in his pocket as a specimen.—Dr. Johnson: Preface to Shakespeare

Hieronimo, the chief character of Thomas Kyd’s drama in two parts, pt. i. being called Hieronimo, and pt. ii. The Spanish Tragedy or Hieronimo is Mad Again. In the latter play, Horatio, only son of Hieronimo, sitting with Belimperia in an alcove, is murdered by his rival Balthazar and the lady’s brother Lorenzo. The murderers hang the dead body on a tree in the garden, and Hieronimo, aroused by the screams of Belimperia, rushing into the garden, sees the dead body of his son, and goes raving mad (1588).

Higden (Mrs. Betty), an old woman nearly four score, very poor, but hating the union-house more than she feared death. Betty Higden kept a mangle, and “minded young children” at four-pence a week. A poor workhouse lad named Sloppy helped her to turn the mangle. Mrs. Boffin wished to adopt Johnny, Betty’s infant grandchild, but he died at the Children’s Hospital.
She was one of those old women, was Mrs. Betty Higden, who, by dint of an indomitable purpose and a strong constitution, fight out many years; an active old woman, with a bright dark eye and a resolute face, yet quite a tender creature, too.—Dickens: Our Mutual Friend, i. 16 (1864).

Higg, “the son of Snell,” the lame witness at the trial of Rebecca.—Sir W. Scott: Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Higgen, Prigg, Snapp, and Ferret, knavish beggars in The Beggars’ Bush, a drama by Fletcher (1622).

High and Low Heels, two factions in Lilliput. So called from the high and low heels of their shoes, badges of the two factions. The High-heels (tories and the high-church party) were the most friendly to the ancient constitution of the empire, but the emperor employed the Low-heels (whigs and low-churchmen) as his ministers of state.—Swift: Gulliver’s Travels (“Lilliput,” 1726).

High Life Below Stairs, a farce by the Rev. James Townley. Mr. Lovel, a wealthy commoner, suspects his servants of “wasting his substance in riotous living;” so, pretending to go to his country seat in Devonshire,