Chapter Twelve Paladins to Two Drovers of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Sachs (cobbler). This last, though not one of the founders, was so superior to them all that he is always reckoned among the wise mastersingers.

Twemlow (Mr.), first cousin to lord Snigsworth; “an innocent piece of dinner-furniture,” in frequent requisition by Mr. and Mrs. Veneering. He is described as “grey, dry, polite, and susceptible to east wind;” he wears “first-gentleman-in-Europe collar and cravat;” “his cheeks are drawn in as if he had made a great effort to retire into himself some years ago, and had got so far, but never any further.” His great mystery is who is Mr. Veneering’s oldest friend; is he himself his oldest or his newest acquaintance? He couldn’t tell.—Dickens: Our Mutual Friend (1864).

Twickenham (The Bard of), Alexander Pope, who lived for thirty years at Twickenham (1688–1744).

Twigtythe (The Rev. Mr.), clergyman at Fasthwaite Farm, held by Farmer Williams.—Sir W. Scott: Waverley (time, George II.).

Twin Brethren (The Great), Castor and Pollux.

Back comes the chief in triumph
Who, in the hour of fight,
Hath seen the Great Twin Brethren
In harness on his right.
Safe comes the ship to haven,
Thro’ billows and thro’ gales,
If once the Great Twin Brethren
Sit shining on the sails.
   —Macaulay: Lays of Ancient Rome (“Battle of the Lake Regillus,” xi., 1842).

Twin Diamonds (The), two Cape diamonds, one of which is of a clear cinnamon colour, and was found in the river-bed of the Vaal. These, with the Dudley and Stewart diamonds, have all been discovered in Africa since 1870.

Twineall (The Hon. Mr.), a young man who goes to India, intending to work himself into place by flattery; but, wholly mistaking character, he gets thrown into prison for treason. Twineall talks to sir Luke Tremor (who ran away from the field of battle) of his glorious deeds of fight; to lady Tremor (a grocer’s daughter) of high birth, supposing her to be a descendant of the kings of Scotland; to lord Flint (the sultan’s chief minister) of the sultan’s dubious right to the throne, and so on.—Inchbald: Such Things Are (1786).

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” etc., in sequipedalian bombast thus—

Coruscate, coruscate thy small scintillation,
Whose rationalê exceeds explanation;
Exalted above this location infernal,
A Braganza to shine in the regions supernal.
   —E. C. B.

Twist (Oliver), the son of Mr. Brownlow’s oldest friend and Agnes Fleming; half-brother to “Monks.” He was born and brought up in a workhouse, starved, and ill-treated; but was always gentle, amiable, and pure-minded. His asking for more gruel at the workhouse because he was so hungry, and the astonishment of the officials at such daring impudence, is capitally told.—Dickens: Oliver Twist (1837).

Twitcher (Harry). Henry lord Brougham [Broom] was so called from his habit of twitching his neck (1778–1868).

Don’t you recollect, North, some years ago that Murray’s name was on our title-page; and that, being alarmed for Subscription Jamie [sir James Mackintosh] and Harry Twitcher, he…scratched his name out?—Wilson: Noctes Ambrosianæ (1822-36).

Twitcher (Jemmy), a cunning and treacherous highwayman in Macheath’s gang.—Gay: The Beggar’s Opera (1727).

Twitcher (Jemmy), the nickname of John lord Sandwich, noted for his liaison with Miss Ray (1718–1792).

When sly Jemmy Twitcher had smugged up his face
With a lick of court whitewash and pious grimace,
Avowing he went where three sisters of old,
In harmless society, guttle and scold.
   —Gray (1716–1771).