Chapter JOHN o' Groat of J by Brewer's Readers Handbook

them, he wished him to understand, in reply, that were it not for the authorities, he would have made him rue his insolence; and lastly, when the other held up his orange, implying that no such fruit could be grown thereabouts, he had answered that they did not care for that, so long as they had plenty of good ryebread.

Similar questions and answers might be varied almost without end. For example: (I) “Where is heaven?” Ans. “It is the abode of God, who dwells in every contrite heart.” (2) “What is the worth of the whole world?” Ans. “Thirty pence; for Jesus was sold for that sum, and purchased the redemption of the world.” (3) “What am I now thinking about?” Ans. “What answer will be given to your question.”

John Anderson, my jo, John. An old Scotch song, consisting of two stanzas, each of eight lines. R. Burns added six extra stanzas (about 1788).

John Blunt, a person who prides himself on his brusqueness, and in speaking unpleasant truths in the rudest manner possible. He not only calls a spade a spade, but he does it in an offensive tone and manner.

John Bull, the national name for an Englishman. (See Bull, p. 158.)

John Chinaman, a Chinese.

John Company, the old East India Company.

In old times, John Company employed nearly 4000 men in warehouses.—Old and New London, ii. 185.

John Grueby, the honest, faithful servant of lord George Gordon, who wished “the blessed old creetur, named Bloody Mary, had never been born.” He had the habit of looking “a long way off.” John loved his master, but hated his religious craze.

“Between Bloody Marys, and blue cockades, and glorious queen Besses, and no poperys, and protestant associations,” said Grueby to himself, “I believe my lord’s half off his head.”—Dickens: Barnaby Rudge, xxxv. (1841).

John Halifax, Gentleman, a novel by Miss Mulock (Mrs. Craik) 1857 (her best).

John of Bruges , John van Eyck the Flemish painter (1370–1441).

John o’ Groat, a Dutchman, who settled in the most northerly part of Scotland in the reign of James IV. He is immortalized by the way he put an end to a dispute among his nine sons respecting precedency. He had nine doors made to his cottage, one for each son, and they sat at a round table.

From John o’ Groat’s house to the Land’s End, from furthest north to furthest south of the island, i.e. through its entire length.