Chapter Turquine to Twelve Knights of the Round Table of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Turquine to Twelve Knights of the Round Table

Turquine (Sir) had sixty-four of king Arth ur’s knights in prison, all of whom he had vanquished by his own hand. He hated sir Launcelot, because he had slain his brother, sir Carados, at the Dolorous Tower. Sir Launcelot challenged sir Turquine to a trial of strength, and slew him, after which he liberated the captive knights.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 108-110 (1470).

Turquoise, a precious stone found in Persia. Sundry virtues are attached to it: (1) It indicates by its hue the state of the wearer’s health; (2) it indicates by its change of lustre if any peril awaits the wearer; (3) it removes animosity between the giver and the receiver; (4) it rouses the sexual passion, and hence Leah gave a turquoise ring to Shylock “when he was a bachelor,” in order to make him propose to her. (See Thomas Nicols, Lapidary.)

Turveydrop (Mr.), a selfish, self-indulgent, conceited dancing-master, who imposes on the world by his majestic appearance and elaborate toilette. He lives on the earnings of his son (named Prince, after the prince regent), who reveres him as a perfect model of “deportment.”—Dickens: Bleak House (1852).

The proudest departed from the cover of their habitual reserve, and from the maintenance of that staid deportment which the Oriental Turveydrop considers the best proof of high state and regal dignity.—W. H. Russell: The Prince of Tours, etc. (1877).

Tuscan Poet (The), Ludovico Ariosto, born at Reggio, in Modena (1474–1533). Noted for his poem entitled Orlando Furioso (in French called Roland).

The Tuscan poet doth advance
The frantic paladin of France.
   —Drayton: Nymphidia (1563–1631).

Tutivillus, the demon who collects all the fragments of words omitted, mutilated, or mispronounced by priests in the performance of religious services, and stores them up in that “bottomless” pit which is “paved with good intentions.”—Langland: Visions of Piers Plowman, 547 (1362); and the Townley Mysteries, 310, 319, etc.

Tutsan, a corruption of la toute saine; the botanical name is Hypericon Androsœmum. The leaves applied to fresh wounds are sanative. St. John’s wort is of the same family, and that called Perforatum used to be called Fugadœmonum, from the supposition of its use in maniacal disorders, and a charm against evil spirits.

The hermit gathers…
The healing tutsan then, and plantane for a sore.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xii. (1613).

(The plantain or plantago is astringent, and very good for cuts and other sores.)

Twa Dogs (The), a dialogue between Cæsar (a gentleman’s dog) and Luath (a ploughman’s collie). Cæsar says his master’s table is laden with luxuries; that he spends what he likes, and travels to see the world. Luath replies that poor men eat with an appetite, which is the best sauce; sleep soundly, because toil requires rest; and as for travelling, a faithful wife and healthy family make a happy home. Cæsar concludes by saying that without doubt want of employment is a weariness to the flesh, and drives the rich to cards, dice, races, and sometimes to immoral ways. So that after all, though the poor have not the wealth and luxuries of the rich, they are contented with their station, and a very little indulgence gives them untold pleasure.

Twain (Mark), S. L. Clemens.

Twangdillo, the fiddler, in Somerville’s Hobbinol, a burlesque poem in three cantos. Twangdillo had lost one leg and one eye by a stroke of lightning on the banks of the Ister, but he was still merry-hearted.

He tickles every string to every note;
He bends his pliant neck, his single eye
Twinkles with joy, his active stump beats time.
   —Hobbinol or The Rural Games, i. (1740).

Tweed, a cloth woven diagonally; a mere blunder for “twill.”