Chapter Up a Tree to Usher of U by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Urim and Thummim consisted of three stones, which were deposited in the double lining of the high priest's breastplate. One stone represented Yes, one No, and one No answer is to be given. When any question was brought to the high priest to be decided by “Urim,” the priest put his hand into the “pouch” and drew out one of the stones, and according to the stone drawn out the question was decided. (Lev. viii. S; 1 Sam. xxviii. 6.)

Ursa Major Calisto, daughter of Lycaon, was violated by Jupiter, and Juno changed her into a bear. Jupiter placed her among the stars that she might be more under his protection. Homer calls it Arktos the bear, and Hamaxa the waggon. The Romans called it Ursa the bear, and Septemtriones the seven ploughing oxen; whence “Septentrionalis” came to signify the north. The common names in Europe for the seven bright stars are “the plough,” “the waggon,” “Charles's wain,” “the Great Bear,” etc.
   Boswell's father used to call Dr. Johnson Ursa Major. (See Bear.)

Ursa Minor Also called Cynosura, or “Dog's tail,” from its circular sweep. The pole star is a in the tail. (See Cynosure .)
   St. Ursula and the eleven thousand virgin martyrs. Ursula was a British princess, and, as the legend says, was going to France with her virgin train, but was driven by adverse winds to Cologne, where she and her 11,000 companions were martyred by the Huns. This extravagant legend is said to have originated in the discovery of an inscription to Ursula et Undecimilla Virgines, “the virgins Ursula and Undecimilla;” but by translating the latter name, the inscription reads “Ursula and her 11,000 virgins.” Visitors to Cologne are shown piles of skulls and human bones heaped in the wall, faced with glass, which the verger asserts are the relics of the 11,000 martyred virgins. (See Virgins.)

Used Up Worn out, tired out, utterly fatigued, or exhausted. Used up alludes to articles used up. Worn out alludes to dresses and articles worn out by use. Exhausted alludes to wells, water, etc., dried up. Tired out means tired utterly.

“Being out night after night, she got kinder used up.”- Sam Slick: Human Nature, p. 192.

Usher means a porter. (Old French, muisher, a door; whence huissier, an usher; Latin, ostiarius.) One who stands at the door to usher visitors into the presence. (Scotch, Wishart.)