Chapter Victor's Library to Violante of V by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Vinland. According to Snorro Sturleson (q.v.), this name was given by ancient Scandinavian voyagers to a portion of the coast of North America visited by them about the end of the tenth century —well- wooded and very productive. It is thought to have been the coast of Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Viola, si ster of Sebastian; a young lady of Messaline. They were twins, and so much alike that they could be distin guished only by their dress. Viola and her brother were shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria. Viola was brought to shore by the captain, but her brother was left to shift for himself. Being a stranger in a strange land, Viola dressed as a page, and, under the name of Cesario, entered the service of Orsino duke of Illyria. The duke greatly liked his beautiful page, and, when he discovered her true sex, married her.—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (1602).

Viola and Honora, daughters of general Archas “the loyal subject” of the great-duke of Muscovia.—Fletcher: The Loyal Subject (1618).

VIOLANTE , the supposed wife of don Henrique (2 syl an uxorious Spanish nobleman.—Fletcher: The Spanish Curate (1622).

Violante, the betrothed of don Alonzo of Alcazar, but given in marriage by king Sebastian to Henriquez. This caused Alonzo to desert and join the emperor of Barbary. As renegade he took the name of Dorax, and assumed the Moorish costume. In the war which followed, he saved Sebastian’s life, was told that Henriquez had died in battle, and that Violante, being a young widow, was free and willing to be his wife.— Dryden: Don Sebastian (1690).

Violante, an attendant on the princess Anna Comnena the historian.— Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Violante , one of the chief characters in My Novel, by lord Lytton (1853).

Violante , wife of Pietro, and putative mother of Pompilia. Violantê provided this supposititious child partly to please old Pietro, and partly to cheat the rightful heirs.— R. Browning: The Ring and the Book, ii.

Violante (Donna), daughter of don Pedro, a Portuguese nobleman, who intends to make her a nun; but she falls in love with don Felix, the son of don Lopez. Isabella (sister of don Felix), in order to escape a hateful marriage, takes refuge with donna Violantê , who “keeps the secret” close, even at the risk of losing her sweetheart, for Felix discovers that a colonel Briton calls at the house, and supposes Violantê to be the object of his visits. Ultimately, the mystery is cleared up, and a double marriage takes place.—Mrs. Centlivre: The Wonder (1714).

Mrs. Yates (in the last act), with Garrick as “don Felix,” was admirable. Felix, thinking he has gone too far, applies himself to soothe his Violante. She turns from him and draws way her chair; he follows, and she draws further away. At length, by his winning, entreating, and cajoling, she is gradually induced to melt, and finally makes it up with him. Her condescension…was admirable; her dignity was great and lofty…and when by degrees she laid aside her frown, and her lips relaxed into a smile, …nothing could be more lovely and irresistible… It laid the whole audience, as well as her lover, at her feet.—William Goodwin.