Chapter Namous to Narcissus of N by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Namous to Narcissus

Namous, the envoy of Mahomet in paradise.

NANCY, servant to Mrs. Pattypan. A pretty little flirt, who coquets with Tim Tartlet and young Whimsey, and, helps charlotte Whimsey in her “love affairs.”—Cobb: The First Floor (1756–1818).

Nancy, a poor misguided girl, who really lo ved the villain Bill Sikes . In spite of her surroundings, she had still some good feelings, and tried to prevent a burglary planned by Fagin and his associates. Bill Sikes, in a fit of passion, struck her twice upon the face with the butt-end of a pistol, and she fell dead at his feet.—Dickens: Oliver Twist (1837).

Nancy, the sailor’s fancy. At half-past four he parted from her; at eight next morn he bade her adieu. Next day a storm arose, and when it lulled the enemy appeared; but when the fight was hottest, the jolly tar “put up a prayer for Nancy.“—Dibdin: Sea Songs (1790).

Nancy (Miss), Mrs. Anna Oldfield, a celebrated actress, buried in Westminster Abbey. She died in 1730, and lay in state, attended by two noblemen. Mrs. Oldfield was buried in a “very fine Brussels lace head- dress, a new pair of kid gloves, and a robe with lace ruffles and a lace collar.” (See Narcissa.)

Nancy Dawson, a famous actress, who took London by storm. Her father was a poster in Clare Market (1728–1767).

Her easy mien, her shape so neat,
She foots, she trips, she looks so sweet;
I die for Nancy Dawson.

Nancy Lammeter, in George Eliots (Mrs. J. W. Cross) novel of Silas Marner. She eventually marries Godfrey Cass (1861).

Nancy or Nan of the Vale, a village maiden, who preferred Strephon to the gay lordlings who sought her hand in marriage.—Shenstone: A Balled (1554).

Nannie, Miss Fleming, daughter of a farmer in the parish of Tarbolton, in Ayrshire. Immortalized by R. Burns.

Nantolet, father of Rosalura and Lillia-Bianca.—Fletcher: The Wild-goose Chase (1652).

Napoleon I., called by the Germans “kaiser Kläs” (q.v.).

“M” is curiously coupled with the history of Napoleon I. and III. (See M., p. 644.)

N.B.—The following is a curious play on the word “Napoleon.”:—

Napoleôn poleôn leôn eôn Napoleon Apollyon cities destroying a-lion going-about on [being]. This is—

Napoleon-Apollyon [being] is a lion going about destroying cities.

David’s Picture of Napoleon. The picture of Napoleon galloping up the Alps on a rampant war-charger, is by David. The war-horse is a poetical representation of a patient mule trudging wearily up the steep ascent. The cocked hat and cut-away coat, which the emperor wore on gala days, are poetical representations of the fur cap pulled over his ears, and the thick great coat, “close-buttoned to the chin,” during his passage over the mountains.

Napoleonic Idolatry is called Chauvinism, from Chauvin, in Charlet’s Conscrit Chauvin.

Napoleon III. His Nicknames.

Arenenberg (Comte d’). So he called himself after his escape from the fortress of Ham.

Badinguet, the name of the man he shot in his Boulogne escapade.