Chapter St. Simonism to Saliens of S by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

St. Simonism to Saliens

St. Simonism The social and political system of St. Simon. He proposed the institution of a European parliament, to arbitrate in all matters affecting Europe, and the establishment of a social hierarchy based on capacity and labour. He was led to his “social system” by the apparition of Charlemagne, which appeared to him one night in the Luxembourg, where he was suffering a temporary imprisonment. (1760-1825.)
    For other saints, see the names.

St. Stephen's The Houses of Parliament are so called, because, at one time, the Commons used to sit in St. Stephen's Chapel.

St. Stephen's Loaves Stones.

“Having said this, he took up one of St. Stephen's loaves, and was going to hit him with it.”- Rabelais Pantagruel, v. 8.

St. Thomas's Castle The penitentiary in St. Thomas's parish, Oxford, where women of frail morals are kept under surveillance.

St. Wilfrid's Needle often called “St. Winifred's Needle.” In the crypt of Ripon Minster is a passage regarded as a test of chastity.

Saints City of Saints. (See under City and Holy City .)

Saivas (2 syl.). Worshippers of Siva, one of the three great Indian sects; they are at present divided into-
   (1) Dandins or staff-bearers, the Hindu mendicants; so called because they carry a danda or small staff, with a piece of red cloth fixed on it. In this piece of cloth the Brahmanical cord is enshrined.
   (2) Yogins. Followers of Yoga, who practise the most difficult austerities.
   (3) Lingavats, who wear the Linga emblem on some part of their dress.
   (4) Paramahansas, ascetics who go naked, and never express any want or wish.
   (5) Aghorins, who eat and drink whatever is given them, even ordure and carrion.
   (6) Urdhabahus, who extend one or both arms over their head till they become rigidly fixed in this position.
   (7) Akasmukhins, who hold up their faces to the sky till the muscles of the neck become contracted.

Saker A piece of light artillery. The word is borrowed from the saker hawk. (See Falcon .)

“The cannon, blunderbuss, and saker,
He was the inventor of and maker.”
Butler: Hudibras, i. 2.

Sakhrat [Sak-rah']. A sacred stone, one grain of which endows the possessor with miraculous powers. It is of an emerald colour; its reflection makes the sky blue. (Mahometan mythology.)

Sakta A worshipper of a Sakti, or female deity, in Hindu mythology. The Saktas are divided into two branches, the Dakshinacharins and the Vamacharins (the followers of the right-hand and left-hand ritual). The latter practise the grossest impurities. (Sanskrit, sakti, power, energy.)

Sa-kuntala Daughter of St. Viswamita, and Menakâ a water-nymph. Abandoned by her parents, she was brought up by a hermit. One day King Dushyanta came to the hermitage during a hunt, and persuaded Sakuntala to marry him, and in due time a son was born. When the boy was six years old, she took it to its father, and the king recognised his wife by a ring which he had given her. She was now publicly proclaimed his queen, and Bhârata, his son and heir, became the founder of the glorious race of the Bhâratas. This story forms the plot of the celebrated drama of Kâlidasa, called Sakuntala, made known to us by Sir W. Jones.

Sakya-Muni Sakya, the hermit, founder of Buddhism.

Sal Prunella A mixture of refined nitre and soda for sore throats. Prunella is a corruption of Brunelle, in French sel de brunelle, from the German breune (a sore throat), braune (the quinsy).