Chapter Vantom to Vehmgericht of V by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Vantom to Vehmgericht

Vantom (Mr.). Sir John Sinclair tells us that Mr. Vantom drank in twenty-three years, 36,688 bottles (i.e. 59 pipes) of wine.—Code of Health and Longevity (1807).

(This would give between four and five bottles a day.)

Vanwelt (Ian), the supposed suitor of Rose Flammock.—Sir W. Scott: The Betrothed (time, Henry II.).

Vapians (The), a people from Utopia, who passed t he equinoctial of Queubus, “a torrid zone lying somewhere beyond three o’clock in the morning.”

In sooth, thou wast in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest…of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus.—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, act ii. sc. 3 (1602).

Vapid, the chief character in The Dramatist, by F. Reynolds, and said to be meant for the author himself. He goes to Bath “to pick up characters.”

Varbel, “the lowly but faithful ’squire” of Floreski a Polish count He is a quaint fellow, always hungry.—J. P. Kemble: Lodoiska (1791).

Varden (Gabriel), locksmith, Clerkenwell; a round, red-faced, sturdy yeoman, with a double chin, and a voice husky with good living, good sleeping, good humour, and good health. He was past the prime of life, but his heart and spirits were in full vigour. During the Gordon riots, Gabriel refused to pick the lock of Newgate prison, though at the imminent risk of his life.

Mrs. Varden [Martha], the locksmith’s wife, and mother of Dolly, a woman of “uncertain temper” and a self-martyr. When too ill-disposed to rise, especially from that domestic sickness ill temper, Mrs. Varden would order up “the little black teapot of strong mixed tea, a couple of rounds of hot buttered toast, a dish of beef and ham cut thin without skin, and the Protestant Manual in two octavo volumes. Whenever Mrs. Varden was most devout, she was always the most ill-tempered.” When others were merry, Mrs. Varden was dull; and when others were sad, Mrs. Varden was cheerful. She was, however, plump and buxom, her handmaiden and. “comforter” being Miss Miggs. Mrs. Varden was cured of her folly by the Gordon riots, dismissed Miggs, and lived more happily and cheerfully ever after.

Dolly Varden, the locksmith’s daughter; a pretty, laughing girl, with a roguish face, lighted up by the loveliest pair of sparkling eyes, the very impersonation of good humour and blooming beauty. She married Joe Willet, and conducted with him the Maypole inn, as never country inn was conducted before. They greatly prospered, and had a large and happy family. Dolly dressed in the Watteau style; and modern Watteau costume and hats were, in 1875-6, called “Dolly Vardens.”—Dickens: Barnaby Rudge (1841).

Varina, Miss Jane Waryng, to whom dean Swift had a penchant when he was a young man. Varina is a Latinized form of “Waryng.”

Varney (Richard, afterwards sir Richard), master of the horse to the earl of Leicester.—Sir W. Scott: Kenilworth (time, Elizabeth).

Varro (The British). Thomas Tusser, of Essex, is so called by Warton (1515–1580).

Vasa (Gustavus), a drama, by H. Brooke (1730). Gustavus, having effected his escape from Denmark, worked for a time as a common labourer in the coppermines of Dalecarlia [Dah-le-karl-ya]; but the tyranny of Christian II. of Denmark having driven the Dalecarlians into revolt, Gustavus was chosen their leader. The revolters made themselves masters of Stockholm; Christian abdicated; and Sweden became an independent kingdom (sixteenth century).