Chapter Jaggers of J by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Jaggers

J. (in Punch), the signature of Douglas Jerrold, who first contributed to No. 9 of the serial (1803–1858).

Jaafer, who carried the sacred banner of the prophet at the battle of Muta. When one hand was lopped off, he clutched the banner with the other; this hand also being lost, he held it with his two stumps. When, at length, his head was cleft from his body, he contrived so to fall as to detain the banner till it was seized by Abdallah, and handed to Khaled.

Cynægiros, in the battle of Marathon, seized one of the Persian ships with his right hand. When this was lopped off, he laid hold of it with his left; and when this was also cut off, he seized it with his teeth, and held on till he lost his head.

Admiral Benbow, in an engagement with the French near St. Martha, in 1701, was carried on deck on a wooden frame after both his legs and thighs were shivered into splinters by chain-shot.

Almeyda, the Portuguese governor of India, had himself propped against the mainmast after both his legs were shot off.

Jabos (Jock), postilion at the Golden Arms inn, Kippletringan, of which Mrs. M’Candlish was landlady.—Sir IV. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

Jachin, the parish clerk, who purloined the sacramental money, and died disgraced.—Crabbe: Borough (1810).

Jacinta, a first-rate cook, “who deserved to be housekeeper to the patriarch of the Indies,” but was only cook to the licentiate Sedillo of Valladolid.—Ch. ii. 1.

The cook, who was no less dexterous than Dame Jacinta, was assisted by the coachman in dressing victuals.—Lesage: Gil Blas, iii. 10 (1715).

Jacintha, the supposed wife o f Octavio, and formerly contracted to don Henrique an uxorious Spanish nobleman.—Fletcher: The Spanish Curate (1622).

Jacintha, the wealthy ward of Mr. Strickland; in love with Bellamy. Jacintha is staid but resolute, and, though “she elopes down a ladder of ropes” in boy’s costume, has plenty of good sense and female modesty.—Dr. Hoadley: The Suspicious Husband (1747).

Jack, in Dr. Arbuthnot’s History of John Bull, is meant for John Calvin. In Swift’s Tale of a Tub, Calvin is introduced as Jack. “Martin” in both these tales means Martin Luther.

Jack (Colonel), the hero of Defoe’s novel entitled The History of the Most Remarkable Life and Extraordinary Adventures of the truly Hon. Colonel, Jacque, vulgarly called Colonel Jack. The colonel (born a gentleman and bred a pickpocket) goes to Virginia, and passes through all the stages of colonial life, from that of “slavie” to that of an owner of slaves and plantations.

The transition from their refined Orondatês and Statiras to the society of captain [sic] Jack and Moll Flanders … is (to use a phrase of Sterne) like turning from Alexander the Great to Alexander the copper-smith.—Encylopædia Britannica (article “Romance”).

Jack, the wooden figure of a man which formerly struck on a bell at certain times during divine service. Several of these figures still remain in churches in East Anglia. (See Jaquemart, p. 539.)

Jack Amend-all, a nickname given to Jack Cade the rebel, who promised to remedy all abuses (*-1450). As a specimen of his reforms, take the following examples:—

1. Your captain, am brave, and vow reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer. …