Chapter Catharine-wheel Politicians to Catted of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Catholic Epistles (The) of the New Testament are those Epistles not addressed to any particular church or individual. Conventionally they are seven- viz. 1 James, 2 Peter, 1 Jude, and 3 John; but 2 John is addressed to a “lady,” and 3 John to Gaius, and, of course, are not Catholic Epistles either in matter or otherwise.

Catholic King (The) or His Catholic Majesty. A title given by the Pope to Ferdinand, King of Aragon (1452, 1474-1516), for expelling the Moors from Spain. This was about as unwise as the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV.

Catholic League (The), 1614. A confederacy of Catholics to counter-balance the Evangelic League (q.v.) of Bohemia. The two Leagues kept Germany in perpetual disturbance, and ultimately led to the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).

Catholic Majesty 759. A title given by Gregory III. to Alfonso I., King of Asturias.

Catholic Relief (See Catholic Association .)

Catholic Rent (The), 1823. The subscription of ld. per month towards the expenses of the Catholic Association (q.v.).

Catholic Roll (The). A document which each Roman Catholic was obliged to swear to on taking his seat as a Member of Parliament. It was abolished, and a single oath prescribed to all members by the 29, 30 Victoria, c. 19 (1866).

Catholicon A panace'a. (Greek, katholicon iama, a universal remedy.)

“Meanwhile, permit me to recommend,
As the matter admits of no delay,
My wonderful catholicon.”
Longfellow: The Golden Legend, i.

Catholicos The head of the Assyrian Nestorians. Now called the Patriarch of Armenia.

Catiline's Conspiracy Lucius Sergius Catilina, B.C. 64, conspired with a large number of dissolute young nobles to plunder the Roman treasury, extirpate the senate, and fire the capitol. Cicero, who was consul, got full information of the plot, and delivered his first Oration against Catiline November 8th, 63, whereupon Catiline quitted Rome. Next day Cicero delivered his second Oration, and several of the conspirators were arrested. On December 4th Cicero made his third Oration, respecting what punishment should be accorded to the conspirators. And on December 5th, after his fourth Oration, sentence of death was passed. Catiline tried to escape into Gaul, but, being intercepted, he was slain fighting, B.C. 64.

Catilines and Cethegi (The). Synonyms for conspirators who hope to mend their fortunes by rebellion.

“The intrigues of a few impoverished Catilines
and Cethegi.”- Motley: Dutch Republic.

Catius In Pope's Moral Essays (Epist. i.), intended for Charles Dartineuf, a kind of Lucullus, who preferred “A rogue with venison to a rogue without.”

Catkins The inflorescence of hazel, birch, willow, and some other trees; so called from their resemblance to a cat's tail.

“See the yellow catkins cover
All the slender willows over.”
Mary Howitt: Voice of Spring, stanza 2.

Cat-lap Milk or weak tea, only fit for the cat to lap.

“A more accomplished old woman never drank
cat-lap.”- Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet, chap. xii.

Cato He is a Cato. A man of simple life, severe morals, self-denying habits, strict justice, brusque manners, blunt of speech, and of undoubted patriotism, like the Roman censor of that name.

Cato-Street Conspiracy A scheme entertained by Arthur Thistlewood and his fellow-conspirators to overthrow the Government by assassinating the Cabinet Ministers. So called from Cato Street, where their meetings were held. (1820.)
    The other names of these conspirators are Brunt, Davidson, Harrison,