Chapter Wilford to William of W by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Wilford to William

Wilford, in love with Emily, the companion of his sister Miss Wilford. This attachment coming to the knowledge of Wilford’s uncle and guardian, was disapproved of by him; so he sent the young man to the Continent, and dismissed the young lady. Emily went to live with Goodman Fairlop, the woodman, and there Wilford discovered her in an archery match. The engagement was renewed, and ended in marriage.—Sir H. B. Dudley: The Woodman (1771).

Wilford, secretary of sir Edward Mortimer, and the suitor of Barbara Rawbold (daughter of a poacher). Curious to know what weighed on his master’s mind, he pried into an iron chest in sir Edward’s library; but while so engaged, sir Edward entered, and threatened to shoot him. He relented, however, and having sworn Wilford to secrecy, told him how and why he had committed murder. Wilford, unable to endure the watchful and jealous eye of his master, ran away; but sir Edward dogged him from place to place, and at length arrested him on the charge of theft. Of course, the charge broke down, Wilford was acquitted, and sir Edward, having confessed his crime, died.— Colman: The Iron Chest (1796).

(This is a dramatic version of Godwin’s novel called Caleb Williams (1794). Wilford is “Caleb Williams,’ and sir Edward Mortimer is “Falkland.”)

Wilford, supposed to be earl of Rochdale. Three things he had a passion for: “the finest hound, the finest horse, and the finest wife in the three kingdoms.” It turned out that Master Walter “the hunchback” was the earl of Rochdale, and Wilford was no one.— Knowles: The Hunchback (1831).

Wilford (Lord), the truant son of lord Woodville, who fell in love with Bess, the daughter of the “blind beggar of Bethnal Green.” He saw her by accident in London, lost sight of her, but resolved not to rest night or day till he found her; and, said he, “If I find her not, I’m tenant of the house the sexton builds.” Bess was discovered in the Queen’s Arms inn, Romford, and turned out to be his cousin.—Knowles: The Beggar of Bethnal Green (1834).

Wilfred, “the fool,” one of the sons of sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone of Osbaldistone Hall.—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (time, George I.).

Wilfrid, son of Oswald Wycliffe; in love with Matilda, heiress of Rokeby’s knight. After various villainies, Oswald forced from Matilda a promise to marry Wilfrid. Wilfrid thanked her for the promise, and fell dead at her feet.—Sir W. Scott: Rokeby (1813).

Wilfrid or Wilfrith (St.). In 681 the bishop Wilfrith, who had been bishop of York, being deprived of his see, came to Sussex, and did much to civilize the people. He taught them how to catch fish generally, for before they only knew how to catch eels. He founded the bishopric of the South Saxons at Selsey, afterwards removed to Chichester, founded the monastery of Ripon, built several ecclesiastical edifices, and died in 709.

St. Wilfrid, sent from York into this realm received
(Whom the Northumbrian folk had of his see bereaved),
And on the south of Thames a seat did him afford,
By whom the people first received the saving word.
Drayton: Polyolbion, xi. (1613).

Wilhelm Meister [Mice-ter], the hero and title of a philosophic novel by Goethe. This is considered to be the first true German novel. It consists of two parts published under two titles, viz. The Apprenticeship of Wilheln Meister (1794–96), and The Travels of Wilhelm Meister (1821).

Wilkins (Peter), a tale by Robert Pultock of Clement’s Inn (1750).

The tale is this: Peter Wilkins is a mariner, thrown on a desert shore. In time, he furnishes himself from the wreck with many necessaries, and discovers that the country is frequented by a beautiful winged race called glumms and gawreys, whose wings, when folded, serve them for dress, and when spread,