Chapter Brandan to Brechan of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Brandan to Brechan

Brandan (St.), a poem by Matthew Arnold. It relates that Judas did an act of charity to a leper at Joppa, and therefore was let out of hell for a day.

Brandeum, plu. Brandea, a piece of cloth enclosed in a box with relics, which thus acquired the same miraculous powers as the relics themselves.

Pope Leo proved this fact beyond a doubt, for when some Greeks ventured to question it, he cut a brandeum through with a pair of scissors, and it was instantly covered with blood.—Brady: Clavis Calendaria, 182.

Brandimart, brother-in-law of Orland o, son of Monodantês, and husband of Fordelis. This “king of the Distant Islands” was one of the bravest knights in Charlemagne’s army, and was slain by Gradasso.—Bojardo: Orlando Innamorato (1495); Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Brandley (Mrs.) of Richmond, Surrey. The lady who undertakes to introduce Estella (q.v.) into society.—Dickens: Great Expectations (1861).

Brandons, lighted torches. St. Valentine’s day was called Dominica de brandonibus, because boys, at one time, used to carry about lighted torches on that day, i.e. “Cupid’s lighted torches.”

Brandt, the leader of the Indians who destroyed the village of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, in 1788. Campbell represents him as a monster ef cruelty.—Gertrude of Wyoming (1809).

Brandy Nan, queen Anne, who was very fond of brandy (1664, 1702–1714).

Brandy Nan, brandy Nan, left [all] in the lurch,
Her face to the gin-shop, her back to the church.
   —Written on the statue of queen Anne in St. Paul’s [palant.]

Brangtons (The), vulgar, jealous, malicious gossips in Evelina, a novel by Miss Burney (1778).

Branno, an Irishman, father of Evirallin. Evirallin was the wife of Ossian and mother of Oscar.—Ossian.

Brass, the roguish confederate of Dick Amlet, and acting as his servant.

“I am your valet, ’tis true; your footman sometimes … but you have always had the ascendant, I confess. When we were school-fellows, you made me carry your books, make your exercise, own your rogueries, and sometimes take a whipping for you. When we were fellow-prentices, though I was your senior, you made me open the shop, clean my master’s boots, cut last at dinner, and eat all the crusts. In your sins, too, I must own you still kept me under; you soared up to the mistress, while I was content with the maid.”—Sir F. Vanbrugh: The Confederacy,iii. x (1695).

Brass (Sampson), a knavish, servile attorney, affecting great sympathy with his clients, but in reality fleecing them without mercy.

Sally Brass, Sampson’s sister, and an exaggerated edition of her brother.—Dickens: Old Curiosity Shop (1840).

Bravassa (Miss), of the Portsmouth Theatre. Supposed to be a great beauty.—Dickens: Nicholas Nickleby (1838).

Brave (The), Alfonzo IV. of Portugal (1290–1357).

The Brave Fleming, John Andrew van der Mersch (1734–1792).

The Bravest of the Brave, Marshal Ney, Le Brave des Braves (1769–1815).