Chapter Dhu'lnun to Dick Amlet of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

The Diary and Correspondence of Henry Crabb Robinson, who lived 1775–1867. Published posthumously 1869.

Diavolo (Fra), Michele Pozza, insurgent of Calabria (1760–1806).—Auber: Fra Diavolo (libretto by Scribe, 1836).

Dibble (Davie), gardener at Monkbarns.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).

Dibutades , a potter of Sicyon, whose daughter traced on the wall her lover’s shadow, cast there by the light of a lamp. This, it is said, is the origin of portrait-painting. The father applied the same process to his pottery, and this, it is said, is the origin of sculpture in relief.

Will the arts ever have a lovelier origin than that fair daughter of Dibutades tracing the beloved shadow on the wall?—Ouida: Ariadné, i. 6.

Dicæa, daughter of Jove, the “accusing angel” of classic mythology.

Forth stepped the just Dicæa, full of rage.
Phineas Fletcher: The Purple Island, vi. (1633).

Diccon the Bedlamite, a halfmad mendicant, both knave and thief. A specimen of the metre and spelling will be seen by part of Diccon’s speech—

Many a myle have I walked, divers and sundry waies,
And many a good man’s house have I bin at in my dais:
Many a gossip’s cup in my tyme have I tasted,
And many a broche and spyt have I both turned and basted …
When I saw it booted nit, out at doores I hyed mee,
And caught a slyp of bacon when I saw none spyed mee,
Which I intend not far hence, unless my purpose fayle,
Shall serve for a shoing horne to draw on two pots of ale.
   —Diccon the Bedlamite (1552).

Dicilla, one of Logistilla’s handmaids, noted for her chastity.—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Dick, ostler at the Seven Stars inn, York.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Dick, called “The Devil’s Dick of Hellgarth;” a falconer and follower of the earl of Douglas.—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Dick (Mr.), an amiable, half-witted man, devoted to David’s “aunt,” Miss Betsey Trotwood, who thinks him a prodigious genius. Mr. Dick is especially mad on the subject of Charles I.—Dickens: David Copperfield (1849).

Dick Amlet, the son of Mrs. Amlet, a rich, vulgar tradeswoman. Dick assumes the airs of a fine gentleman, and calls himself colonel Shapely, in which character he gets introduced to Corinna, the daughter of Gripe, a rich scrivener. Just as he is about to elope, his mother makes her appearance, and the deceit is laid bare; but Mrs. Amlet promises to give her son £10,000, and so the wedding is adjusted. Dick is a regular scamp, and wholly without principle; but being a dashing young blade, with a handsome person, he is admired by the ladies.—Vanbrugh: The Confederacy (1695).

John Palmer was the “Dick Amlet,” and John Bannister the roguish servant, “Brass.”—James Smith (1790).