Chapter Saltarello to Samson of S by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Rev. Charles Caled Colton (credited as the author of these freaks) offered £100 to anyone who could explain the matter except on supernatural grounds. No one, however, claimed the reward. Colton died 1832.

Sampi A Greek numeral. (See Episemon .)

Sampler A pattern, A piece of fancy-sewed or embroidered work done by girls for practice.

Sampson A dominie Sampson. A humble pedantic scholar, awkward, irascible, and very old-fashioned. The character occurs in Sir Walter Scott's Guy Mannering.

Samson Any man of unusual strength; so called from the Judge of Israel.
   The British Samson. Thomas Topham, son of a London carpenter. He lifted three hogsheads of water, weighing 1,836 pounds, in the presence of thousands of spectators assembled in Bath Street, Coldbath Fields, May 28th, 1741. Being plagued by a faithless woman, he put an end to his life in the flower of his age. (1710-1753.)
   The Kentish Samson. Richard Joy, who died 1742, at the age of 67. His tombstone is in St. Peter's churchyard, Isle of Thanet.