V V. V.'s Eyes. A novel by Henry | gon's daughter Elise. See Harpagon. Sydnor Harrison (Am. 1913). The hero, known as "V. V.", is an utterly unworldly social reformer, the heroine a frivolous and selfish society girl who through his influence becomes interested in more worth-while things. Vagret. A lawyer in Brieux's Red Robe (q. v.). Like his colleague Mouzon he puts his personal ambition first and justice second, but unlike him, repents before it is too late. Vaishnava. One of the great sects of reformed Brahmins who worship Vishnu as supreme among the Hindu gods. Their sacred books are known as the Vaishnava Puranas. Vaisya. The third of the four chief Hindu castes, or a member of this. From a Sanskrit word meaning a settler. See also Caste. Valclusa. The famous retreat of Petrarch (father of Italian poetry) and his mistress Laura, a lady of Avignon. Vale. See Ave. Valentine. (1). In Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona (q. v.), one of the titular heroes. Valentine married Silvia, daughter of the Duke of Milan. (2). In Goethe's Faust (1798) and Gounod's opera of the same name, brother of Margaret. Maddened by the seduction of his sister, he attacks Faust during a serenade, and is stabbed by Mephistopheles. He dies reproaching his sister Margaret. (3). Heroine of Meyerbeer's opera The Huguenots (q. v.). Valentine and Orson. An old French romance, connected with the Alexander cycle. The heroes from whom it is named were the twin sons of Bellisant, sister of King Pepin, and Alexander, and were born in a forest near Orleans. Orson (q. v.) was carried off by a bear and became a wild man. While the mother was searching for him Valentine was carried off by his uncle, the king. Each had many adventures, but all ended happily, and Valentine married Clerimond, sister of the Green Knight. Valentine Day. See under Saint. Valentine Legend. (In Congreve's Love for Love.) See Legend, Valentine. Valentine, St. See under Saint. Valère. One of the principal characters in Molière's L'Avare, in love with Harpa Valerian or Valirian. A martyr whose story is told in the Second Nun's Tale (q. v.), one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Valérie Marneffe, Mme. (In Balzac's Cousin Betty.) See Marneffe, Mme. Valerie. Valery, Violetta. Heroine of Verdi's opera, La Traviata (q. v.). Valhalla. In Scandinavian mythology. the hall in the celestial regions whither the souls of heroes slain in battle were borne by the Valkyries, and where they spent eternity in joy and feasting (valr, the slain, and hall). Hence the name is applied to buildings, such as Westminster Abbey, used as the last resting-place of a nation's great men. For an account of the building and destruction of Valhalla, see Nibelungen Ring. Vali. The "silent god" and guardian of justice among the ancient Scandinavians. He was the second son of Odin, and avenged the death of Balder by slaying his murderer, Hoder. He was one of the few who were to survive the catastrophe of the Twilight of the Gods, for Justice must not be banished from the earth. Valiant-for-Truth. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, a brave Christian, who fought three foes at once. His sword was a right Jerusalem blade," so he prevailed, but was wounded in the encounter. He joined Christiana's party in their journey to the Celestial City. Valjean, Jean. The hero of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables (q. v.). Valkyries, The (Old Norse, The Choosers of the Slain). The twelve nymphs of Valhalla, who, mounted on swift horses, and holding drawn swords, rushed into the mêlée of battle and selected those destined to death. These heroes they conducted to Valhalla, where they waited upon them and served them with mead and ale in the skulls of the vanquished. The chief were Mista, San'grida, and Hilda. In Wagner's Nibelungen Ring (q. v.) Brunhild is the favorite Valkyrie and the heroine of the opera The Valkyrie (Die Walküre). Valladolid, The Doctor of. (In Le Sage's Gil Blas.) See under Sangrado. Valley. Valley of Humiliation. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the place where Christian encountered Apollyon and put him to flight. Valley of the Shadow of Death. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, a "wilderness, a land of deserts and of pits, a land of drought, and of the shadow of death (Jer. ii. 6). "The light there is darkness, and the way full of traps. . . to catch the unwary." Christian had to pass through it after his encounter with Apollyon. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. — Ps. xxiii. 4. Valley of Decision, The. A novel by Edith Wharton (Am. 1902), the story of an Italian principality of the late eighteenth century. The hero, Odo Valsecca suddenly becomes Duke of Pianura through several unexpected deaths in the line; and although he loves Fulvia Vivaldi, the daughter of a revolutionary theorist, she sends him from her "to serve liberty on a throne." But the people are not ready for the liberties he wishes to give them, and the way is difficult. Years pass. By the time public opinion changes, Duke Odo has returned to the conservative views of the class to which he was born, and is accordingly banished from his kingdom. Valunder. In Frithiof's Saga, a Scandinavian form of Wayland (q. v.). Va'men or Vamena. One of the avatars of Vishnu, a dwarf, who asked Bali, the giant monarch of India, to permit him to measure out three paces to build a hut upon. The kind monarch smiled at the request, and bade the dwarf measure out what he required. The first pace compassed the whole earth, the second the whole heavens, and the third all pandalon or hell. Bali now saw that the dwarf was no other than Vishnu, the second person of the Hindu triad. Vampire. A fabulous being, supposed to be the ghost of a heretic, excommunicated person, or criminal, that returns to the world at night in the guise of a monstrous bat and sucks the blood of sleeping persons who, usually, become vampires themselves. -a The word is applied to one who preys upon his fellows- "bloodsucker." Kipling has a well-known poem by this name, beginning: A fool there was and he made his prayer To a rag and a bone and a hank of hair (We called her the woman who did not care) (Even as you and I!) Van Bibber. The hero of a volume of short stories by Richard Harding Davis called Van Bibber and Others (Am. 1890). He is a favorite of New York society but equally at home in more Bohemian quarters, a likable young chap with a faculty for getting himself into and other people out of surprising situations. Van Brunt, Brom. Ichabod Crane's rival in Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow (q.v.). See also Brom Bones. Van Dyke, Henry (1852– ). American man of letters, known for his poems, essays and stories. Van Lowe. The name of the large and diverse Dutch family who appear in a tetralogy of novels by Louis Couperus, the first of which is Small Souls (q.v.). Van Tassel, Katrina. The Dutch maiden beloved of Ichabod Crane in Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow (q.v.). Vanbrugh, Sir John (1666-1726). English dramatist of the Restoration period, best known for his comedy The Relapse. Van Winkle, Rip. See Rip Van Winkle. Vandals. A Teutonic race from the Baltic (allied to the Wends, i.e. Wanderers) which in the 5th century A. D. ravaged Gaul and, under Genseric, captured Rome and despoiled it of its treasures of art, literature, and civilization generally. Hence, the name is applied to those who wilfully or ignorantly destroy works of art, etc. Vanderbilt, A. A very rich man, from the wealthy American family of that name. Vanderdecken. See Flying Dutchman. Vandy'ck. The Vandyck of sculpture. Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720). The English Vandyck. William Dobson, painter (1610-1647). The French Vandyck. Hyacinth Rigaud y Ros (1659-1743). Vane, Ernest. In Reade's Peg Woffington (q.v.), a married man, in love with Peg. Vane, Lady Isabel. The heroine of Mrs. Wood's East Lynne (q.v.). Vanessa. Dean Swift's name for his friend and correspondent, Esther Vanhomrigh, made by compounding Van, the first syllable of her surname, with Essa, the pet form of Esther. Swift called himself Cadenus, an anagram on Decanus (Lat. for Dean). He wrote a poem Cadenus and Vanessa, declining to marry the lady. Vanir. The nature-gods of the old Scandinavians, who presided over the ocean, air, earth, streams, etc.; opposed to, and generally at war with, the Esir (q.v.). Niörd, the water-god, was the chief; his son was Frey; his daughter Freya (the Scandinavian Venus); his wife Skadi; and his home Noatun. Vanity Fair. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, a fair established by Beelzebub, Apollyon, and Legion, in the town of Vanity, and lasting all the year round. Here were sold houses, lands, trades, places, honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts. Vanity Fair, A Novel without a Hero. A novel by Thackeray (1848) of which he wrote while in the process of composing it: "What I want to make is a set of people living without God in the world (only that is a cant phrase), greedy, pompous men, perfectly self-satisfied for the most part, and at ease about their superior virtue. Dobbin and poor Briggs are the only two people with real humility as yet. Amelia's is to come." The two boarding school friends, Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp are in marked contrast throughout the novel. Becky Sharp, clever, scheming, determined to get on in the world, first plays her cards to win Amelia's rich and stupid brother, Jos Sedley, but failing that, secretly marries Rawdon Crawley, a younger son of Sir Pitt Crawley, at whose house Becky is governess. Rawdon is, however, disinherited. The undaunted Becky endeavors to live at the height of fashion on a small income and succeeds with the help of Lord Steyne. Finally Rawdon suspects his wife's relations with Steyne, discovers the truth and departs to become the governor of Coventry Island, leaving their son to the care of Sir Pitt Crawley. Becky is completely ostracized and forced to live by her wits on the Continent. Meantime Amelia, loved by George Osborne and William Dobbin, has married the former, but he is killed in the Battle of Waterloo. Because of her poverty, she is forced to give her son Georgy into the care of his grandfather, Mr. Osborne, who will, however, have nothing to do with her. On Mr. Osborne's death, Georgy is left a fortune. Amelia and her brother, traveling on the Continent, now meet Becky Sharp, and she gradually regains her old influence over Jos Sedley. The faithful Dobbin, having loved Amelia through thick and thin, is at last rewarded with her hand. Vanna, Monna. See Monna Vanna. Va'noc. The son of Merlin, one of Arthur's Round Table knights. Varden, Gabriel. In Dickens' Barnaby Rudge (1841), a locksmith; a round, red-faced, sturdy yeoman, with a double chin, and a voice husky with good living, good sleeping, good humor, and good health. During the Gordon riots, Gabriel refused to pick the lock of Newgate prison, though at the imminent risk of his life. Mrs. Varden (Martha). The locksmith's wife, and mother of Dolly, a woman of " uncertain temper" and a selfmartyr. When too ill-disposed to rise, Mrs. Varden would order up "the little black teapot of strong mixed tea, a couple of rounds of hot buttered toast, a dish of beef and ham cut thin without skin, and the Protestant Manual in two octavo volumes. Whenever Mrs. Varden was most devout, she was always the most ill-tempered." never Dolly Varden. The locksmith's daughter; a pretty, laughing girl, with a roguish face, lighted up by the loveliest pair of sparkling eyes, the very impersonation of good humor and blooming beauty. She married Joe Willet, and conducted with him the Maypole Inn, as country inn was conducted before. They greatly prospered, and had a large and happy family. Dolly dressed in the Watteau style; and modern Watteau costume and hats were for a time, about 1875, called "Dolly Vardens." The name is frequently in use in modern fashions. Varmint, The. The first of three volumes by Owen Johnson concerning the school and college life of Dink Stover. The Varmint and The Tennessee Shad relate his prep-school adventures in hilarious fashion, and Dink Stover at Yale, a more pretentious novel, treats seriously the social problems of modern college life. Dink is a born leader. Varun'a. In the early Hindu mythology of the Rig Veda, lord of the universe; with Indra (q. v.) the greatest of the gods of the Vedic hymns. He is invoked as the night sky and his double, Mitra, as the day sky; and in the later Vedic period his power is more and more confined to this one aspect of nature. Finally, however, in the post-Vedic period, Varuna becomes the Hindu Neptune, represented as an old man riding on a sea monster with a club in one hand and a rope in the other. Vasantasena. Heroine of the old Sanskrit drama known as The Little Clay Cart (q. v.). Vashti. In the Old Testament the Queen of King Ahasuerus before the days of Esther. When the heart of the King was merry with wine, he commanded his chamberlains to bring Vashti, the queen, into the banquet-hall, to show the guests her beauty; but she refused to obey the insulting order, and the King, being wroth, divorced her. (Esth. i. 10, 19.) O Vashti, noble Vashti! Summoned out, Vath'ek. The hero of Beckford's orien tal romance of the same name (1784). The ninth caliph of the Abbasside dynasty, he is a haughty, effeminate monarch, induced by a malignant genius to commit all sorts of crimes. He abjures his faith, and offers allegiance to Eblis, under the hope of obtaining the throne of the pre-Adamite sultans. This he gains, only to find that it is a place of torture and that he is doomed to remain in it for ever. Vathek's Daughter. A red-and-yellow mixture given him by an emissary of Ebhis, which instantaneously restored the exhausted body, and filled it with delight. Vat'ican. The palace of the Pope; so called because it stands on the Valicanus Mons (Vatican Hill) of ancient Rome, which got its name through being the headquarters of the vaticinatores, or soothsayers. Hence, the Papacy, or the Catholic Church. Vaughan, Henry (1622-1695). English poet of the "Metaphysical School" (q. v.). Vauquer, Maison (Vauquer House). The cheap, fourth-rate boarding house described in detail in Balzac's Father Goriot (Le Père Goriot) and famed as the dwelling-place of many of the characters of his Comédie Humaine. Vautrin. One of the names under which the criminal Jacques Collin (q. v.) appears in Balzac's novels. Vavasour, Mr. A character in Disraeli's Tancred who " saw something good in everybody and everything... liked to know everybody who was known and to see everything which ought to be seen. His life was a gyration of energetic curiosity, an insatiable whirl of social celebrity." Ve. Brother of Odin and Vili, in Scandinavian mythology. He was one of the three deities who took part in the creation of the world; and he and Vili slew Ymir and drowned the whole race of frost-giants in his blood. Veal, Mrs. An imaginary person, whom Defoe .feigned to have appeared, the day after her death, to Mrs. Bargrave of Canterbury, on September 8th, 1705. This cock-and-bull story was affixed by Daniel Defoe to Drelincourt's book of Consolations against the Fears of Death, in order to increase the sale of the book, and such is the matter-of-fact style of the narrative that most readers thought the fiction was a fact. It was later published separately as The True Relation of the Apparition of One Mrs. Veal. Veck, Toby. In Dickens' Christmas tale, The Chimes, a ticket-porter, nicknamed "Trotty"; who ran on errands. One New Year's Eve he ate tripe for dinner, and had a nightmare, in which he fancied he had mounted up to the steeple of a neighboring church, and that goblins issued out of the bells, giving reality to his hopes and fears. He was roused from his sleep by the sound of bells ringing in the new year. Ve'das or Ve'dams. The four sacred books of the Brahmins, comprising (1) the Rig or Rish Veda; (2) Yajur Veda; (3) the Sama Veda; and (4) the Atharva' Veda. The first consists of prayers and hymns in verse, the second of prayers in prose, the third of prayers for chanting, and the fourth of formulas for consecration, imprecation, expiation, etc. The word Veda means knowledge. Veiled Prophet of Khorassan, The. Hakim ben Allah, surnamed Mokanna or "The Veiled," founder of an Arabic sect in the 8th century. He wore a veil to conceal his face, which had been greatly disfigured in battle. He gave out that he had been Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. When the sultan Mahadi marched against him, he poisoned all his followers at a banquet, and then threw himself into a cask containing a burning acid, which entirely destroyed him. Thomas Moore has made this the subject of a poetical tale in his Lalla Rookh (The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan, 1817). There, on that throne, sat the prophet-chief, 'Tis time these features were uncurtained [now], He raised the veil; tae maid turned slowly round, Looked at him, shrieked, and sunk upon the ground. Moore: The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan. Veneering, Mr. and Mrs. A newly rich |