Chapter Brigadore to Brittany of B by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

when they can buy such nice brioches for a few sous?” This was in spirit not unlike the remark of our own Princess Charlotte, who avowed “that she would for her part rather eat beef than starve, ” and wondered that the people should be so obstinate as to insist upon having bread when it was so scarce.

Bris Il conte di San Bris, governor of the Louvre, was father of Valentina, and leader of the St. Bartholomew massacre. (Meyerbeer's Opera: Gli Ugonotti.)

Briseis (3 syl.). The patronymic name of Hippodamia, daughter of Briseus (2 syl.). A concubine of Achilles, to whom he was greatly attached. When Agamemnon was compelled to give up his own concubine, who was the daughter of a priest of Apollo, he took Briseis away from Achilles. This so annoyed the hero that he refused any longer to go to battle, and the Greeks lost ground daily. Ultimately, Achilles sent his friend Patroclos to supply his place. Patroclos was slain, and Achilles, towering with rage, rushed to battle, slew Hector, and Troy fell.

Brisingamen Freyja's necklace made by the fairies. Freyja left her husband Odin in order to obtain this necklace; and Odin deserted her because her love was changed into vanity. It is not possible to love Brisingamen and Odin too, for no one can serve two masters.
   As a moral tale this is excellent. If Freyja personifies “the beauty of the year,” then the necklace means the rich autumn tints and flowers, which (soon as Freyja puts on) her husband leaves her- that is, the fertility of the genial year is gone away, and winter is at hand.

Brisk as a Bee (See Similes. )

Brissotins A nickname given to the advocates of reform in the French Revolution, because they were “led by the nose” by Jean Pierre Brissot. The party was subsequently called the Girondists.

Bristol Board A stiff drawing-paper, originally manufactured at Bristol.

Bristol Boy (The

“The marvellous boy
The sleepless soul that perished in his pride.”
Wordsworth: Resolution and Independence.

Bristol Diamonds Brilliant crystals of colourless quartz found in St. Vincent's Rock, Clifton, near Bristol.

Bristol Fashion ( In). Methodical and orderly. More generally “Shipshape and Bristol fashion.”

“In the great mass meeting, October 18th, 1884, a route of above three miles was observed in one unbroken line. No cheering disturbed the stately solemnity; no one ran to give any direction; no noise of any kind was heard, but on, in one unbroken line, steady and stately, marched the throngi n `Bristol fashion.' “- Daily News, October 20th, 1884.

Bristol Milk Sherry sack, at one time given by the Bristol people to their friends.

“This metaphorical milk, whereby Xeres or Sherry-sack is intended.”- Fuller. Worthies.

Bristol Waters Mineral waters of Clifton, near Bristol, with a temperature not exceeding 74; formerly celebrated in cases of pulmonary consumption. They are very rarely used now.

Britain By far the most probable derivation of this word is that given by Bochart, from the Phoenician Baratanic (country of tin), contracted into B'ratan'. The Greek Cassiterides (tin islands) is a translation of Baratanic, once applied to the whole known group, but now restricted to the Scilly Isles. Aristotle, who lived some 350 years before the Christian era, calls the island Britannic, which is so close to B'ratanic that the suggestion of Bochart can scarcely admit of a doubt. (De Mundo, sec. 3.)
   Pliny says, “Opposite to Celtiberia are a number of islands which the Greeks called `Cassiterides' ” (evidently he means the British group). Strabo says the Cassiterides are situated about the same latitude as Britain.
   Great