Chapter Burchell to Byron and the Edinburgh Review of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Busy Body (The), a comedy by Mrs. Centlivre (1709). Sir Francis Gripe (guardian of Miranda an heiress, and father of Charles), a man 65 years old, wishes to marry his ward for the sake of her money, but Miranda loves and is beloved by sir George Airy, a man of 24. She pretends to love “Gardy,” and dupes him into yielding up her money and giving his consent to her marriage with “the man of her choice,” believing himself to be the person. Charles is in love with Isabinda, daughter of sir Jealous Traffick, who has made up his mind that she shall marry a Spaniard named don Diego Babinetto, expected to arrive forthwith. Charles dresses in a Spanish costume, passes himself off as the expected don, and is married to the lady of his choice; so both the old men are duped, and all the young people wed according to their wishes.

But are Ye sure the News is True? This exquisite lyric is generally attributed to William Mickle, but Sarah Tyler, in Good Woods, March, 1869, ascribes it to Jean Adam of Crawfurd’s Dyke. She says, “Colin and Jean” are Colin and Jean Campbell of Crawfurd’s Dyke—the Jean being the poetess and writer of the poem.

Butcher (The), Achmet pasha, who struck off the heads of seven of his wives at once. He defended Acre against Napoleon I.

John ninth lord Clifford, called “The Black Clifford” (died 1461).

Oliver de Clisson, constable of France (1320–1407).

Butcher (The Bloody). (See Bloody Butcher, p. 129.)

Butcher of England, John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, a man of great learning and a patron of learning (died 1470).

On one occasion in the reign of Edward IV. he ordered Clapham (a squire to lord Warwick) and nineteen others, all gentlemen, to be impaled.—Stow: Warkworth Chronicle (“Cont. Croyl.”).

Yet so barbarous was the age, that this same learned man impaled forty Lancastrian prisoners at Southampton, put to death the infant children of the Irish chief Desmond, and acquired the name of “The Butcher of England.”—Old and New London, ii. 2I.

Butler (The Rev. Mr.), military chaplain at Madras.—Sir W. Scott: The Surgeon’s Daughter (time, George II.).

Butler (Reuben), a presbyterian minister, married to Jeanie Deans.

Benjamin Butler, father of Reuben.

Stephen Butler, generally called “Bible Butler,” grandfather of Reuben and father of Benjamin.

Widow Judith Butler, Reuben’s grand mother and Stephen’s wife.

Euphemia or Femie Butler, Reuben’s daughter.

David and Reuben Butler, Reuben’s sons.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Buttercup (John), a milkman.—W. Brough: A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock.

Buxoma, a shepherdess with whom Cuddy was in love.

My brown Buxoma is the featest maid
That e’er at wake delightsome gambol played…
And neither lamb, nor kid, nor calf, nor Tray,
Dance like Buxoma on the first of May.
   —Gay: Pastoral, i. (1714).