Chapter Cerastes to Chaonian Bird of C by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Cham, the pseudonym of comte Amédée de Noé, a peer of France, a great wit, and the political caricaturist of Charivari (the French Punch). The count was one of the founders of the French Republic in 1875. As Cham or Ham was the second son and scapegrace of Noah, so Amédée was the second son and scapegrace of the comte de Noé [Noah].

Cham [Kam], the sovereign prince of Tartary, now written Khan.

The Great Cham of Literature. Dr. Johnson (1709–1784) was so called by Smollett.

Cham of Tartary, a corruption of Chan or Khan, i.e. “lord or prince,” as Hoccota Chan. “Ulu Chan” means “great lord,” “ulu” being equal to the Latin magnus, and “chan” to dominuy or imperator. Sometimes the word is joined to the name, as Chan-balu, Carachan, etc. The Turks have also had their “Sultan Murad chan bin Sultan Selim chan,” i.e. Sultan Murad prince, son of Sultan Selim prince.—Selden: Titles of Honour, vi. 66 (1672).

Chamberlain (Matthew), a tapster, the successor of Old Roger Raine (I syl).—Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Chambers’s Journal, a weekly serial by William and Robert Chambers, begun in 1832.

Chamont, brother of Monimia “ the orphan,” and the troth-pli ght husband of Serina (daughter of lord Acasto). He is a soldier, so proud and susceptible that he is for ever taking offence, and setting himself up as censor or champion. H e fancies his sister Monimia has lost her honour, and calls her to task, but finds he is mistaken. He fancies her guardian, old Acasto, has not been sufficiently watchful over her, and draws upon him in his anger, but sees his folly just in time to prevent mischief. He fancies Castalio, his sister’s husband, has ill-treated her, and threatens to kill him, but his suspicions are again altogether erroneous. In fact, his presence in the house was like that of a madman with fire-brands in a stack- yard.—Otway: The Orphan (1680).

There are characters in which he [C. M. Young] is unrivalled and almost perfect. His “Pierre” [Venice Preserved, Otway] is more soldierly than Kemble’s; his “Chamont” is full of brotherly pride, noble impetuosity, and heroic scorn.—New Monthly Magazine (1822).

Champagne (Henry earl of), a crusader.—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Champernel, a lame old gentleman, the husband of Lamira, and son-in-law of judge Vertaigne.—(?) Beaumont and Fletcher: The Little French Lawyer (printed 1647).

Champion and Severall. A “champion” is a common, or land in allotments without enclosures. A “severall” is a private farm, or land enclosed for individual use. A “champion” also means one who holds an open allotment or “champion.”

More profit is quieter found
(Where pastures in severall be)
Of one seely acre of ground,
Than champion maketh of three.
Again what a joy it is known
When men may be bold of their own!
   —Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, liii. 22.

Again—

The champion differs from severall much
For want of partition, closier, and such.
   —Tusser (Introduction), (1557).

Champion of the Virgin. St. Cyril of Alexandria is so called from his defence of the “Incarnation” or doctrine of the “hypostatic union,” in the long and stormy dispute with Nestorius bishop of Constantinople.

Champneys (Sir Geoffry), a fossilized old country gentleman, who believes in “blue blood” and the “British peerage.” Father of Talbot, and neighbour of Perkyn Middlewick, a retired butterman. The sons of these