Chapter Mortemar to Moses Slow of Speech of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Mortemar to Moses Slow of Speech

Mortemar (Alberick of), an exiled nobleman, alias Theodorick the hermit of Engaddi, the enthusiast.—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Mortimer (Mr.), executor of lord Abberville, and uncle of Frances Tyrrell. “He sheathed a soft heart in a rough case.” Externally, Mr. Mortimer seemed unsympathetic, brusque, and rugged; but in reality he was most benevolent, delicate, and tender-hearted. “He did a thousand noble acts without the credit of a single one.” In fact, his tongue belied his heart, and his heart his tongue.—Cumberland: The Fashionable Lover (1780).

Mortimer (Sir Edward), a most benevolent man, oppressed with some secret sorrow. In fact, he knew himself to be a murderer. The case was this: Being in a county assembly, the uncle of lady Helen insulted him, struck him down, and kicked him. Sir Edward rode home to send a challenge to the ruffian; but meeting him on the road drunk, he murdered him, was tried for the crime, but was honourably acquitted. He wrote a statement of the case, and kept the papers connected with it in an iron chest. One day, Wilford, his secretary, whose curiosity had been aroused, saw the chest unlocked, and was just about to take out the documents when sir Edward entered, and threatened to shoot him; but he relented, made Wilford swear secrecy, and then told him the whole story. The young man, unable to live under the jealous eye of sir Edward, ran away; but sir Edward dogged him, and at length arrested him on the charge of robbery. The charge broke down, Wilford was acquitted, sir Edward confessed himself a murderer, and died.—Colman: The Iron Chest (1796).

This is the novel of Caleb Williams by Godwin (1794), dramatized.

Mortimer Lightwood, solicitor, employed in the “Harmon murder” case. He was the great friend of Eugene Wrayburn, barrister-at-law, and it was the ambition of his life to imitate the nonchalance and other eccentricities of his friend. At one time he was a great admirer of Bella Wilfer. Mr. Veneering called him “one of his oldest friends;” but Mortimer was never in the merchant’s house but once in his life, and resolved never to enter it again.—Dickens: Our Mutual Friend (1864).

Mortimer Street (London); so called from Harley, earl of Oxford and Mortimer, and baron of Wigmore, in Herefordshire.

MORTON, a retainer of the earl of Northumberland.—Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV. (1598).

Morton (Henry), a leader in the covenanters’ army with Balfour. While abroad, he is major-general Melville. Henry Morton marries Miss Eden Bellenden.

Old Ralph Morton of Milnwood, uncle of Henry Morton.

Colonel Silas Morton of Milnwood, father of Henry Morton.—Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality (time, Charles II.).

Morton (The earl of), in the service of Mary queen of Scots, and a member of the privy council of Scotland.—Sir W. Scott: The Monastery and The Abbot (time, Elizabeth).

Morton (The Rev. Mr.), the presbyterian pastor of Cairnvreckan village.—Sir W. Scott: Waverley (time, George II.).

Mortsheugh (Johnie), the old sexton of Wolf’s Hope village.—Sir W. Scott: The Bride of Lammermoor (time, William III.).

Morven (“a ridge of high hills”), all the north-west of Scotland; called in Ossian “windy Morven,” “resounding Morven,” “echoing Morven,” “rocky Morven.” Fingal is called indifferently “king of Selma” and “king of Morven.” Selma was the capital of Morven. Probably it was Argyllshire extended north and east.