Chapter Jairus's Daughter to Jasper Packlemerton of J by Brewer's Readers Handbook

The novel of Rob Roy has been dramatized by J. Pocock, and Charles Mackay was the first to appear in the character of “Bailie Nicol Jarvie.” Talfourd says (1829), “Other actors are sophisticate, but Mackay is the thing itself.”—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (time, George I.).

The character of Bailie Nicol Jarvie is one of the author’s happiest conceptions, and the idea of carrying him to the wild rugged mountains, among outlaws and desperadoes—at the same time that he retained a keen relish of the comforts of the Saltmarket of Glasgow, and a due sense of his dignity as a magistrate—complete the ludicrous effect of the picture.—Chambers: English Literature, ii. 587.

Jarvis, a faithful old servant, who tries to save his master, Beverley, from his fatal passion of gambling.—Edward Moore: The Gamester (1753).

Jaspar was poor, heartless, and wicked; he lived by highway robbery, and robbery led to murder. One day, he induced a poor neighbour to waylay his landlord; but the neighbour relented, and said, “Though dark the night, there is One above who sees in darkness.” “Never fear!” said Jaspar; “for no eye above or below can pierce this darkness.” As he spoke, an unnatural light gleamed on him, and he became a confirmed maniac.—Southey: Faspar (a ballad).

Jasper (Old), a ploughman at Glendearg Tower.—Sir W. Scott: The Monastery (time, Elizabeth).

Jasper (Sir, father of Charlotte. He wants her to marry a Mr. Dapper; but she loves Leander, and, to avoid a marriage she dislikes, pretends to be dumb. A mock doctor is called in, who discovers the facts of the case, and employs Leander as his apothecary. Leander soon cures the lady with “pills matrimoniac.” In Molière’s Le Médecin Malgré Lui (from which this play is taken), sir Jasper is called “Géronte”.—Fielding: The Mock Doctor (1733).

Jasper Packlemerton, of atrocious memory, one of the chief figures in Mrs. Jarley’s wax-work exhibition.

“Jasper courted and married fourteen wives, and destroyed them all by tickling the soles of their feet when they were asleep. On being brought to the scaffold and asked if he was sorry for what he had done ,he replied he was only sorry for having let them off so easy. Let this,” said Mrs. Jarley, “be a warning to all young ladies to be particular in the character of the gentlemen of their choice. Observe, his fingers are curled, as if in the act of tickling, and there is a wink in his eyes.”—Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop, xxviii. (1840).