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

Subtle, an Englishman settled in Paris. He earns a living by the follies of his countrymen who visit the gay capital.

Mrs. Subtle, wife of Mr. Subtle, and a help-meet for him.—Foote: The English-man in Paris (1753).

Subtle Doctor (The), Duns Scotus, famous for his metaphysical speculations in theology (1265–1308).

(This must not be confounded with John Duns Scotus, called Erigena, who died 873.)

Suburra. So-and-so is the Suburra of London, the most disreputable quarter, being the chief haunt of the “demimonde.” The Suburra of Rome was a district “ubi meretricum erant domicilia.”

Senem (quod omnes rideant) adulterum Latrent Suburanæ canes
Nardo perunctum.

Horace: Epode, v.

Subvolvans, inhabitants of the moon, in everlasting strife with the Privolvans. The former live under ground in cavities, “eight miles deep and eighty round;” the latter on “the upper ground.” Every summer the under-ground lunatics come to the surface to attack the “grounders,” but at the approach of winter, slink back again into their holes.—S. Butler: The Elephant in the Moon (1754).

Success. Corcud’s ring ensured success. (See Ring, p. 916.)

Such Things Are, a comedy by Mrs. Inchbald (1786). The scene lies in India, and the object of the play is to represent the tyranny of the old régime, and the good influence of the British element, represented by Haswell the royal physician. The main feature is an introduction to the dungeons, and the infamous neglect of the prisoners, amongst whom is Arabella, the sultan’s beloved English wife, whom he has been searching for unsuccessfully for fifteen years. Haswell receives the royal signet, and is entrusted with unlimited power by the sultan.