Chapter Red Sea to Regillus of R by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Red Sea to Regillus

Red Sea (The). So called by the Greeks and Romans. Perhaps because it was the sea of Edom (“the red man”); perhaps because the shore is a red sand; perhaps because the waters are reddened by red sea-weeds or a red bottom. The Hebrews called it “The Weedy Sea” (Yam-Suph).

The Rede Sea is not more rede than any other sea, but in some places thereof is the gravelle rede, and therefore men clepen it the Rede Sea.—Mandeville: Travels (1499).

Red Swan (The). Odijibwa, hearing a strange noise, saw in the lake a most beautiful red swan. Pulling his bow, he took deliberate aim, without effect. He shot every arrow from his quiver with the same result; then, fetching from his father’s medicine-sack three poisoned arrows, he shot them also at the bird. The last of the three arrows passed through the swan’s neck, whereupon the bird rose into the air, and sailed away towards the setting sun.—Schoolcraft: Algic Researches, ii. 9 (1839).

Redgauntlet, a story, told in a series of letters, about a conspiracy formed by sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, on behalf of the “Young Pretender” Charles Edward, then above 40 years of age. The conspirators insist that the prince should dismiss his mistress, Miss Walkingshaw; and, as he refuses to comply with this demand, they abandon their enterprise. Just as a brig is prepared for the prince’s departure from the island, colonel Campbell arrives with the military. He connives, however, at the affair, the conspirators disperse, the prince embarks, and Redgauntlet becomes the prior of a monastery abroad. This is one of the inferior novels, but is redeemed by the character of Peter Peebles.—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (1824).

Redgauntlet embodies a great deal of Scott’s own personal history and experience.—Chambers: English Literature, ii. 589.

Sir Alberick Redgauntlet, an ancestor of the family.

Sir Edward Redgauntlet, son of sir Alberick; killed by his father’s horse.

Sir Robert Redgauntlet, an old tory, mentioned in Wandering Willie’s tale.

Sir John Redgauntlet, son and successor of sir Robert, mentioned in Wandering Willie’s tale.

Sir Redwald Redgauntlet, son of sir John.

Sir Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, son of sir Redwald.

Lady Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, wife of sir Henry Darsie.

Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, alias Darsie Latimer, son of sir Henry and lady Darsie.

Miss Lilias Redgauntlet, alias Greenmantle, sister of sir Arthur. She marries Allan Fairford.

Sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, the Jacobite conspirator. He is uncle to Darsie Latimer, and is called “Laird of the Lochs,” alias “Mr. Herries of Birrenswark,” alias “Master Ingoldsby.”—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

Redi (Francis), an Italian physician and lyric poet. He was first physician to the grand-duke of Tuscany (1626–1698).

Even Redi, tho’he chanted
Bacchus in the Tuscan valleys,
Never drank the wine he vaunted
In his dithyrambic sallies.
   —Longfellow: Drinking Song.

Redlaw (Mr.), the “haunted man.” He is a professor of chemistry, who bargained with the spirit which haunted him to leave him, on condition of his imparting to others his own idiosyncrasies. From this moment the chemist carried with him the infection of sullenness. On Christmas Day the infection ceased, Redlaw