Chapter Stuarts' Fatal Number to Such Things Are of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Stuarts' Fatal Number to Such Things Are

Stuarts’ Fatal Number (The). This number is 88.

(1) James III. was killed in flight near Bannockburn, 1488.

(2) Mary Stuart was beheaded 1588 (New Style).

(3) James II. of England was dethroned 1688.

(4) Charles Edward died 1788.

(James Stuart, the “Old Pretender,” was born 1688, the very year that his father abdicated.)

(5) James Stuart, the famous architect, died 1788.

(Some affirm that Robert II., the first Stuart king, died 1388, the year of the great battle of Otterburn; but the death of this king is more usually fixed in the spring of 1390.)

Stubble (Reuben), bailiff to Farmer Cornflower, rough in manner, severe in discipline, a stickler for duty, “a plain, upright, and downright man,” true to his master and to himself.—Dibdin: The Farmer’s Wife (1780).

Stubbs, the beadle at Willingham. The Rev. Mr. Staunton was the rector.— Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Stubbs (Miss Sissly or Cecilia), daughter of squire Stubbs, one of Waverley’s neighbours.—Sir W. Scott: Waverley (time, George II.).

Stuffy (Matthew), an applicant to Velinspeck, a country manager, for a situation as prompter, for which he says he is peculiarly qualified by that affection of the eyes vulgarly called a squint, which enables him to keep one eye on the performers and the other on the book at the same time.—C. Mathews: At Home (1818).

Stuffy is one of the richest bits of humour we ever witnessed. His endless eulogies upon the state of things in the immortal Garrick’s time are highly ludicrous.—Contemporary Paper.

Stukely , a destestable man. “’Twould be as easy to make him honest as brave” (act i. 2). He pretends to be the friend of Beverley, but cheats him. He aspires to the hand of Miss Beverley, who is in love with Lewson.—E. Moore: The Gamester (1753).

Stukely (Will), the companion of Little John. In the morris-dance on May-day, Little John used to occupy the right hand side of Robin Hood, and Will Stukely the left. (See Stutly.)

Stukely (Captain Harry), nephew of sir Gilbert Pumpkin of Strawberry Hall. —Jackman: All the World’s a Stage.

Stupid Boys. St. Thomas Aquinas; also called at school “The Dumb Ox” (1224–1274). Manlius Torquatus.

Manlius Torquatus, l’un des plus grands capitaines de Rome, paraisait, dans sa jeunesse, imbecille et stupide.—Dictionnaire Historique (1819).

Walter Scott was a dull school-boy; so was lord Byron, and many other first-class men.

Sturgeon (Major), J.P., “the fishmonger from Brentford,” who turned volunteer. This bragging major makes love to Mrs. Jerry Sneak.—Foote: The Mayor of Garratt (1763).

We had some desperate duty, sir Jacob … such marchings and counter-marchings, from Brentford to Ealing, from Ealing to Acton, from Acton to Uxbridge. Why, there was our last expedition to Hounslow; that day’s work carried off major Molossas. … But to proceed. On we marched, the men all in high spirits, to attack