Chapter DOUGLAS to Dowsabel of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

to lament for “poor dear dead Searcher, who—,” etc., etc. She pulled her bow somewhat too tight, and sir Benjamin asserted his independence.

Sophia Dove, daughter of sir Benjamin. She loved Robert Belfield, but was engaged to marry the elder brother Andrew. When, however, the wedding day arrived, Andrew was found to be a married man, and the younger brother became the bridegroom.—Cumberland: The Brothers (1769).

Dowlas (Daniel), a chandler of Gosport, who trades in “coals, cloth, herrings, linen, candles, eggs, sugar, treacle, tea, and brickdust.” This vulgar and illiterate petty shopkeeper is raised to the peerage under the title of “The right hon. Daniel Dowlas, baron Duberly.” But scarcely has he entered on his honours, when the “heir-at-law,” supposed to have been lost at sea, makes his appearance in the person of Henry Morland. The “heir” settles on Daniel Dowlas an annuity.

Deborah Dowlas, wife of Daniel, and for a short time lady Duberly. She assumes quite the airs and ton of gentility, and tells her husband “as he is a pear, he ought to behave as sich.”

Dick Dowlas, the son, apprenticed to an attorney at Castleton. A wild young scamp, who can “shoot wild ducks, fling a bar, play at cricket, make punch, catch gudgeons, and dance.” His mother says, “he is the sweetest-tempered youth when he has everything his own way.” He comes into a fortune of £15,000 a year, and gives Dr. Pangloss £300 a year to tutorize him. Dick Dowlas falls in love with Cicely Homespun, and marries her.—Colman: Heir-at-Law (1797).

Miss Pope asked me about the dress. I answered, “It should be black bombazeen …” I proved to her that not only “Deborah Dowlas,” but all the rest of the dramatis personœ ought to be in mourning. … The three “Dowlases” as relatives of the deceased lord Duberly; “Henry Morland” as the heir-at-law; “Dr. Pangloss” as a clergyman; “Caroline Dormer” for the loss of her father; and “Kenrick” as a servant of the Dormer family.—James Smith.

Dowlas (Old Dame), housekeeper to the duke of Buckingham.—Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

Dowling (Captain), a great drunkard, who dies in his cups.—Crabbe: Borough, xvi. (1810).

Downer (Billy), an occasional porter and shoeblack, a diffuser of knowledge, a philosopher, a citizen of the world, and an “unfinished gentleman.”—Selby: The Unfinished Gentleman (1841).

Downing Professor, in the University of Cambridge. So called from sir George Downing, bart., who founded the law professorship in 1800.

Dowsabel, daughter of Cassemen , a knight of Arden; a ballad by M. Drayton (1593).

Old Charcer doth of Topaz tell,
Mad Rabelais of Pantagruel,
A later third of Dowsabel.
   —Drayton: Nymphidia.