Chapter Mascarille to Matthew Merrygreek of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Mascarille to Matthew Merrygreek

Mascarille , the valet of La Grange. (See La Grange, p. 587.)—Molière: Les Précieuses Ridicules (1659).

(Molière had already introduced the same name in two other of his comedies, L’Etourdi (1653) and Le Dépit Amoureux, 1654.)

Masetto, a rustic engaged to Zerlina; but don Giovanni intervenes before the wedding, and deludes the foolish girl into believing that he means to make her a great lady and his wife.—Mozart: Don Giovanni (libretto by L. da Ponte, 1787).

Maskwell, the “double dealer.” He pretends to love lady Touchwood , but it is only to make her a tool for breaking the attachment between Mellefont and Cynthia. Maskwell pretends friendship for Mellefont merely to throw dust in his eyes respecting his designs to carry off Cynthia, to whom Mellefont is betrothed. Cunning and hyprocrisy are Maskwell’s substitutes for wisdom and honesty.—Congreve: The Double Dealer (1700).

Mason (William). The medallion to this poet in Westminster Abbey was by Bacon.

Mass (The). Pope Celestinus ordained the introit and Gloria in Excelsis.

Pope Gregory The Great ordained to say the Kyrie Eleison nine times, and the prayer.

Pope Gelasius ordained the Epistle and Gospel; and Damasus, the Credo.

Alexander inserted in the canon the clause, Qui pridie quam pateretur.

Sextus ordained the Sanctus; Innocent, the Pax.

Leo introduced the Orate, Fratres, and the words in the canon, Sanctum Sacrificium, et immaculatan Hostiam.—Edward Kinesman: Lives of the Saints, p. 187 (1623).

Mast (The Tallest). The mainmast of the Merry Dun of Dover was so tall “that the boy who climbed it would be grey with extreme age before he could reach deck again.”—Scandinavian Mythology.

Master (The). Goethe is called Der Meister (1749–1832).

I beseech you, Mr. Tickler, not to be so sarcastic on “The Master.”—Noctes Ambrosiana

Master Adam Adam Billaut, the French poet (1602–1662).

Master Humphrey’s Clock. Intended for a series of tales to be told by Master Humphrey; but only two were published, viz. Barnaby Rudge, and The Old Curiosity Shop.—Dickens (1840-41).

Master Leonard, grand-master of the nocturnal orgies of the demons. He presided at these meetings in the form of a three-horned goat with a black human face.—Middle Age Demonology.

Master Matthew, a town gull.—Ben Jonson: Every Man in His Humour (1598).

We have the cheating humour in the character of “Nym,” the bragging humour in “Pistol,’ the melancholy humour in “Master Stephen, and the quarrelling humour in “Master Matthew.”—Edinburgh Review.

Master Stephen, a country gull of melancholy humour. (See Master Matthew.)—Ben Jonson: Every Man in His Humour (1598).

Master of Sentences, Pierre Lombard, author of a book called Sentences (1100–1164).

Masters (Doctor), physician to queen Elizabeth.—Sir W. Scott: Kenilworth (time, Elizabeth).