-----S----- Sabbath, n. A weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh. Among the Jews observance of the day was enforced by a Commandment of which this is the Christian version: "Remember the seventh day to make thy neighbor keep it wholly." To the Creator it seemed fit and expedient that the Sabbath should be the last day of the week, but the Early Fathers of the Church held other views. So great is the sanctity of the day that even where the Lord holds a doubt- ful and precarious jurisdiction over those who go down to (and down into) the sea is reverently recognized, as is manifest in the following deep-water version of the Fourth Commandment: Six days shalt thou labor and do all thou art able, And on the seventh holystone the deck and scrape the cable. Decks are no longer holystoned, but the cable still supplies the captain with opportunity to attest a pious respect for the divine ordinance. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Sabbath, see Arrest; Christian; Decalogue (IV); Monday. Sacerdotal, see Seal. ] Sacerdotalist, n. One who holds the belief that a clergyman is a priest. Denial of this momentous doctrine is the har- diest challenge that is now flung into the teeth of the Ep- iscolopian church by the Neo-Dictionarians. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Sacrament, n. A solemn religious ceremony to which several degrees of authority and significance are attached. Rome has seven sacraments, but the Protestant churches, being less prosperous, feel that they can afford only two, and these of inferior sanctity. Some of the smaller sects have no sacraments at all -- for which mean economy they will in- dubitably be damned. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Sacred, adj. Dedicated to some religious purpose; having a divine character; inspiring solemn thoughts or emotions; as, the Dalai Lama of Thibet; the Moogum of M'bwango; the temple of Apes in Ceylon; the Cow in India; the Crocodile, Page 243 the Cat and the Onion of ancient Egypt; the Mufti of Moosh; the hair of the dog that bit Noah, etc. All things are either sacred or profane. The former to ecclesiasts bring gain; The latter to the devil appertain. Dumbo Omohundro [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] [ Sacrifice, see Altar. Sacrilege, see Impale. Sacristan, see Infidel; Reliquary. ] Safety-Clutch, n. A mechanical device acting automatically to prevent the fall of an elevator, or cage, in case of an accident to the hoisting apparatus. Once I seen a human ruin In a elevator-well, And his members was bestrewin' All the place where he had fell. And I says, apostrophisin' That uncommon woful wreck: "Your position's so suprisin' That I tremble for your neck!" Then that ruin, smilin' sadly And impressive, up and spoke: "Well, I wouldn't tremble badly, For it's been a fortnight broke." Then, for further comprehension Of his attitude, he begs I will focus my attention On his various arms and legs -- How they all are contumacious; Where they each, respective, lie; How one trotter proves ungracious, T'other one an alibi. These particulars is mentioned For to show his dismal state, Which I wasn't first intentioned To specifical relate. None is worser to be dreaded That I ever have heard tell Than the gent's who there was spreaded In that elevator-well. Page 244 Now this tale is allegoric -- It is figurative all, For the well is metaphoric And the feller didn't fall. I opine it isn't moral For a writer-man to cheat, And despise to wear a laurel As was gotten by deceit. For 'tis Politics intended By the elevator, mind. It will boost a person splendid If his talent is the kind. Col. Bryan had the talent (for the busted man is him) And it shot him up right gallant Till his head begun to swim. Then the rope it broke above him And he painful came to earth Where there's nobody to love him For his detrimented worth. Though he's living' none would know him, Or at leastwise not as such. Moral of this woful poem: Frequent oil your safety-clutch. Porfer Poog [Ci;Cr (out of order);D;S (out of order)] [ Sailors, see Sabbath. ] Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. The Duchess of Orleans relates that the irreverent old calumniator, Marshal Vil- leroi, who in his youth had known St. Francis de Sales, said, on hearing him called saint: "I am delighted to hear that Monsieur de Sales is a saint. He was fond of saying indelicate things, and used to cheat at cards. In other respects he was perfect gentleman, though a fool." [Ci;Cr;D;P;S illus] [ Saint, see Reliquary. Saint Andrew, see X. Saint Dennis, see Reliquary. Page 245 Saint Francis de Sales, see Saint. Saint John the Divine, see Revelation. Saint Louis, see Inferiae. Saint Luke, see Magdalene. Saint Peter's, see Reliquary. Sakko-Samshi, see Scimetar. ] Salacity, n. A certain literary quality frequently observed in popular novels, especially in those written by women and young girls, who give it another name and think that in in- troducing it they are occupying a neglected field of letters and reaping an overlooked harvest. If they have the misfor- tune to live long enough they are tormented with a desire to burn their sheaves. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] Salamander, n. Originally a reptile inhabiting fire; later, an anthropomorphous immortal, but still a pyrophile. Salamanders are now believed to be extinct, the last one of which we have an account having been seen in Carcassonne by the Abbe Belloc, who exorcised it with a bucket of holy wa- ter. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Salamander, see Sylph. Salmasius, see Logomachy. Saloon, see Story. Salvation, see Evangelist; Reprobation. Salzmann, Ludwig, see Impale. Samson, see Laureate. San Franciso, see Sandlotter. San Jose, see Story. Sanctity, see Sacrament. Sanctorum Custus, see LL.D. Sandhill crane, see Whangdepootenawah. ] Sandlotter, n. A vertebrate mammal holding the political views of Denis Kearney, a notorious demagogue of San Fran- ciso, whose audiences gathered in the open spaces (sandlots) Page 246 of the town. True to the traditions of his species, this leader of the proletariat was finally bought off by his law-and-order enemies, living prosperously silent and dying impenitently rich. But before his treason he imposed upon California a constitution that was a confection of sin in a diction of solecisms. The similarity between the word "sandlotter" and "sansculotte" is problematically signifi- cant, but indubitably suggestive. [Cr;D;S (out of order)] [ Sandwich Islands, see Electricity. Sanity, see Mad. Sansculotte, see Sandlotter. Santlemann's Band, see Story. Santons, see Infidel. Saponaceous, see Oleaginous. Saracen, see Acephalous. ] Sarcophagus, n. Among the Greeks a coffin which being made of a certain kind of carnivorous stone, had the peculiar property of devouring the body placed in it. The Sar- cophagus known to modern obsequiographers is commonly a pro- duct of the carpenter's art. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Satan, n. One of the Creator's lamentable mistakes, repented in sashcloth and axes. Being instated as an archangel, Satan made himself multifariously objectionable and was finally expelled from Heaven. Halfway in his descent he paused, bent his head in thought a moment and at last went back. "There is one favor that I should like to ask," said he. "Name it." "Man, I understand, is about to be created. He will need laws." "What, wretch! you his appointed ad- versary, charged from the dawn of eternity with hatred of his soul -- you ask for the right to make his laws?" "Pardon; what I have to ask is that he be permitted to make them himself." Page 247 It was so ordered. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Satan, see Brandy; Coenobite; Excommunication; Female; Frying-pan; Incubus; Lead; Machination; Respond; Smithareen; Sycophant; Tariff. Satan, Rev. John, see LL.D. ] Satiety, n. The feeling that one has for the plate after he has eaten its contents, madam. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Satire, n. An obsolete kind of literary composition in which the vices and follies of the author's enemies were ex- pounded with imperfect tenderness. In this country satire never had more than a sickly and uncertain existence, for the soul of it is wit, wherein we are dolefully deficient, the humor that we mistake for it, like all humor, being tolerant and sympathetic. Moreover, although Americans are "endowed by their Creator" with abundant vice and folly, it is not generally known that these are reprehensible quali- ties, wherefore the satirist is popularly regarded as a sour-spirited knave, and his every victim's outcry for code- fendents evokes a national assent. Hail Satire! be thy praises ever sung In the dead language of a mummy's tongue, For thou thyself art dead, and damned as well -- Thy spirit (usefully employed) in Hell. Had it been such as consecrates the Bible Thou hadst not perished by the law of libel. Barney Stims [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Satire, see Vituperation. Satisfaction, see Damn; Redress. Saturnian, see Youth. ] Satyr, n. One of the few characters of the Grecian mythol- ogy accorded recognition in Hebrew (Leviticus, xvii, 7.) The satyr was at first a member of the dissolute community ack- nowledging a loose allegiance to Dionysius, but underwent many transformations and improvements. No infrequently he is confounded with the faun, a later and decenter creation of the Romans, who was less like a man and more like a goat. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] Sauce, n. The one infallible sign of civilization and en- lightenment. A people with no sauces has one thousand vices; a people with one sauce has only nine hundred and ninety-nine, For every sauce invented and accepted a vice is Page 248 renounced and forgiven. [Ci;Cr;D;P (out of order);S illus] [ Sauce, see Mayonnaise. Saul of Tarsus, see Flop. ] Saw, n. A trite popular saying, or proverb. (Figurative and colloquial.) So called because it makes its way into a wooden head. Following are examples of old saws fitted with new teeth. A penny saved is a penny to squander. A man is known by the company that he organizes. A bad workman quarrels with the man who calls him that. A bird in the hand will bring what it is worth. Better late than before anybody has in- vited you. Example is better than following it. Half a loaf is better than a whole loaf if there is much else. Think twice before you speak to a friend in need. What is worth doing is worth the trou- ble of asking somebody else to do it. Least said is soonest disavowed. He laughs best who laughs least. Speak of the Devil and he will hear about it. Of two evils choose to be the least. Strike while your employer has a big contract. Where there's a will there's a won't. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Sawrian, see Alligator. Page 249 Saxon, see Monosyllabic. Scabbard, see Envelope. Scanavius, see Macrobian. Scandal, School for, see Calumnus. ] Scarabaeus, n. The sacred beetle of the ancient Egyptians, allied to our familiar "tumble-bug." It was supposed to sym- bolize immortality, the fact that God knew why giving it its peculiar sanctity. Its habit of incubating its eggs in a ball of ordure may also have commended it to the favor of the priesthood, and may some day assure it an equal rever- ence among ourselves. True, the American beetle is an infe- rior beetle, but the American priest is an inferior priest. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Scarabee, n. The same as scarabaeus. He fell by his own hand Beneath the great oak tree. He'd traveled in a foreign land. He tried to make her understand The dance that's called the Saraband, But he called it Scarabee. He had called it so through an afternoon, And she, in the light of his harem if so might be, Had smiled and said naught. O the body was fair to see, All frosted there in the shine o' the moon -- Dead for a Scarabee And a recollection that came too late. O Fate! They buried him where he lay, He sleeps awaiting the Day, In state, And two Possible Puns, moon-eyed and wan, Gloom over the grave and then move on, Dead for a Scarabee! Ferdando Tapple [Ci;Cr;D;S] Scarification, n. A form of penance practiced by the mediaeval pious. The rite was performed, sometimes with a knife, sometimes with a hot iron, but always, says Arsenius Asceticus, acceptably if the penitent spared himself no pain nor harmless disfiguration. Scarification, with other crude penances, has now been superseded by benefaction. The founding of a library or endowment of a university is said to yield to the penitent a sharper and more lasting pain than is conferred by the knife or iron, and is therefore a surer means of grace. There are, however, two grave objec- tions to it as a penitential method: the good that it does and the taint of justice. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Page 250 Scepter, n. A king's staff of office, the sign and symbol of his authority. It was originally a mace with which the sovereign admonished his jester and vetoed ministerial meas- ures by breaking the bones of their proponents. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] [ Schekem, see Refuge. Schismatics, see Impale. Schley, Rear-Admiral, see Story. Schliemann, Dr., see Frog. School for Scandal, see Calumnus. Science, see Dullard; Rubbish; Sophistry; Theosophy. Scientist, see Radium. ] Scimitar, n. A curved sword of exceeding keenness, in the conduct of which certain orientals attain a surprising proficiency, as the incident here related will serve to show. The account is translated from the Japanese of Shusi Itama, a famous writer of the thirteenth century. When the great Gichi-Kuktai was Mikado he condemned to decapitation Jijiji Ri, a high officer of the Court. Soon after the hour appointed for the performance of the rite what was his Majesty's surprise to see calmly approaching the throne the man who would have been at that time ten minutes dead! "Seventeen hundred impossible dragons!" shouted the enraged monarch. "Did I not sentence you to stand in the market-place and have your head struck off by the public executioner at three o'clock? And is it not now 3:10? "Son of a thousand illustrious deities," answered the condemned minister, "all that you say is so true that the truth is a lie in comparison. But your Majesty's sunny and vitalizing wishes have been pestilently disregarded. With joy I ran and placed my unworthy body in the market-place. The executioner appeared with his bare scimeter, ostentatiously whirled it in the air, and then, tapping me lightly upon the Page 251 neck, strode away, pelted by the populace, with whom I was ever a favorite. I am come to prey for justice upon his own dishonor- able and treasonous head." "To what regiment of executioners does the black-boweled caitiff belong?" asked the Mikado. graph "To the gallant Ninety-eight Hundred and Thirty-seven -- I know the man. His name is Sakko-Samshi." "Let him be brought before me," said the Mikado to an attendant, and a half-hour later the culprit stood in the Presence. "Thou bastard son of a three-legged hunchback without thumbs!" roared the sovereign -- "why didst thou but lightly tap the neck that it should have been thy pleas- ure to sever?" "Lord of Cranes and Cherry Blossoms," replied the executioner, unmoved, "command him to blow his nose with his fingers." Being commanded, Jijiji Ri laid hold of his nose and trumpeted like an elephant, all expecting to see the severed head flung violently from him. Nothing occurred: the performance prospered peacefully to the close, without incident. All eyes were now turned on the execu- tioner, who had grown as white as the snows on the summit of Fujiama. His legs trembled and his breath came in gasps of terror. "Several kinds of spike-tailed brass lions!" he cried; "I am a ruined and dis- graced swordsman! I struck the villain fee- bly because in flourishing the scimeter I had accidentlly passed it through my own neck! Father of the Moon, I resign my of- fice." So saying, he grasped his top-knot, lifted off his head, and advancing to the throne laid it humbly at the mikado's feet. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Scimitar, see Acephalous. Scotchman, see Close-fisted; Itch; Kilt. Page 252 Scoundrel, see Patriotism. ] Scrap-book, n. A book that is commonly edited by a fool. Many persons of small distinction compile scrap-books con- taining whatever they happen to read about themselves or em- ploy others to collect. One of these egotists was addressed in the lines following, by Agamemnon Melancthon Peters: Dear Frank, that scrap-book where you boast You keep a record true Of every kind of peppered roast That's made of you; Wherein you paste the printed gibes That revel round your name, Thinking the laughter of the scribes Attests your fame; Where all the pictures you arrange That comic pencils trace -- Your funny figure and your strange Semitic face -- Pray lend it to me. Wit I have not, Nor art, but there I'll list The daily drubbings you'd have got Had God a fist. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Scribbler, n. A professional writer whose views are an- tagonistic to one's own. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Scribes, see Infidel. ] Scriptures, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane writings on which all other faiths are based. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Scriptures, see Soul. Scrofa, see King's Evil. Scrofula, see King's Evil. Scroll, see Regalia. Scrutator, Marcus Ansello, see Avernus. Scythians, see Cynic. ] Seal, n. A mark impressed upon certain kinds of documents Page 253 to attest their authority. Sometimes it is stamped upon wax, and attached to the paper, sometimes into the paper it- self. Sealing, in this sense, is a survival of an ancient custom of inscribing important papers with cabalistic words or signs to give them a magical efficacy independent of the authority that they represent. In the British Museum are preserved many ancient papers, mostly of a sacerdotal character, validated by necromantic pentagrams and other devices, frequently initial letters of words to conjure with; and in many instances these are attached in the same way that seals are appended now. As nearly every reasonless and apparently meaningless custom, rite or observance of modern times had origin in some remote utility, it is pleas- ing to note an example of ancient nonsense evolving in the process of ages into something really useful. Our word "sincere" is derived from sine cero, without wax, but the learned are not in agreement as to whether this refers to the absence of the cabalistic signs, or to that of the wax with which the letters were formerly closed from public scrutiny. Either view of the matter will serve one in im- mediate need of an hypothesis. The initials L. S., commonly appended to signatures of legal documents, meaning locum sigillis, the place of the seal, although the seal is no longer used -- an admirable example of conservatism dis- tinguishing Man from the beasts that perish. The words locum sigillis are humbly suggested as a suitable motto for the Pribyloff Islands whenever they shall take their place as a sovereign State of the American Union. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] [ Secchi, Father, see Ghoul. Secret, see Confidant Sedentarians, see Regalia. Seidlitz powders, see Intimacy. ] Seine, n. A kind of net for effecting an involuntary change of environment. For fish it is made strong and coarse, but women are more easily taken with a singularly delicate fabric weighted with small, cut stones. The devil casting a seine of lace, (With precious stones 'twas weighted) Drew it into the landing place And its contents calculated. All souls of women were in that sack -- A draft miraculous, precious! But ere he could throw it across his back They'd all escaped through the meshes. Baruch de Loppis [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] Page 254 [ Self-denial, see Delusion. ] Self-esteem, n. An erroneous appraisement. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] Self-evident, adj. Evident to one's self and to nobody else. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for selfishness of others. [Ci;D;S] [ Selfserving, see Epigram. Sell, see Justice. Selp, Ariel, see Ingrate. ] Senate, n. A body of elderly gentlemen charged with high duties and misdemeanors. [Ci;D;P;S] [ Senate, see Quorum. Senator, see Ass. ] Serial, n. A literary work, usually a story that is not true, creeping through several issues of a newspaper or magazine. Frequently appended to each instalment is a "syn- opsis of preceding chapters" for those who have not read them, but a direr need is a synopsis of succeeding chapters for those who do not intend to read them. A synopsis of the entire work would be still better. The late James F. Bowman was writing a serial tale for a weekly paper in collabora- tion with a genius whose name has not come down to us. They wrote, not jointly but al- ternately, Bowman supplying the instalment for one week, his friend for the next, and so on, world without end, the hoped. Unfortunately the quarreled, and one Monday morning when Bowman read the paper to pre- pare himself for his task, he found his work cut out for him in a way to surprise and pain him. His collaborator had embarked every character of the narrative on a ship and sunk them all in the deepest part of the Atlantic. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Page 255 Sermon, see Homiletics; Piety. Servis, Professor Garrett P., see In'ards. Seven Aldermen of Ephesus, see Lore. ] Severalty, n. Separateness, as, lands in severalty, i.e., lands held individually, not in joint ownership. Certain tribes of Indians are believed now to be sufficiently civilized to have in severalty the lands that they have hitherto held as tribal organizations, and could not sell to the Whites for waxen beads and potato whiskey. Lo! the poor Indian whose unsuited mind Saw death before, hell and the grave behind; Whom thrifty settlers ne'er besought to stay -- His small belongings their appointed prey; Whom Dispossession, with alluring wile, Persuaded elsewhere every little while! His fire unquenched and his undying worm By "land in severalty" (charming term!) Are cooled and killed, respectively, at last, And he to his new holding anchored fast! [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Sewer gas, see Sylph. Sextons, see Infidel. Shaftsbury, see Ridicule. Shah, see Immodest. Shakspeare, see Ass; Hag; Handkerchief; Physiognomy. Shankank, see Whangdepootenawah. Shave, see Razor. Shaving, see Beard. Sheber, Bishop, see Prospect. Shebrew, see Hebrew. Sheep, see Presentable. Sheik, see Infidel. Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk, see Ultimatum. Sherany, Gopete, see Eat. ] Page 256 Sheriff, n. In America, the chief executive officer of a county, whose most characteristic duties, in some of the Western and Southern States, as the catching and hanging of rogues. John Elmer Pettibone Cajee (I write of him with little glee) Was just as bad as he could be. "Twas frequently remarked: "I swon! The sun has never looked upon So bad a man as Neighbor John." A sinner through and through, he had This added fault: it made him mad To know another man was bad. In such a case he thought it right To rise at any hour of night And quench that wicked person's light. Despite the town's entreaties, he Would hale him to the nearest tree And leaving him swinging wide and free Or sometimes, if the humor came, A luckless wight's reluctant frame Was given to the cheerful flame. While it was turning nice and brown, All unconcerned John met the frown Of that austere and righteous town. "How sad," his neighbors said, "that he So scornful of the law should be -- An anar c, h, i, s, t." (That is the way they preferred To utter the abhorrent word, So strong the aversion that it stirred.) "Resolved," they said, continuing, "That Badman John must cease this thing Of having his unlawful fling. "Now, by these sacred relics" -- here Each man had out a souvenir Got at a lynching yesteryear -- "By these we swear that he shall forsake His ways, nor cause our hearts to ache By sins of rope and torch and stake. "We'll tie his red right hand until He'll have small freedom to fulfil Page 257 The mandates of his lawless will." "So, in convention then and there, They named him Sheriff. The affair Was opened, it is said, with prayer. G. Milton Sloluck [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Shinar, Plain of, see Baal. Shining Inaccessibles, see Regalia. Ship, see Flag; Harbor; Rostrum. Shoe, see Mind. Shoemaker, see Last. Short-ribs, see Reliquary. Shot, see Flag. Shrine, see Regalia. Shum, Harley, see Old. Shunk, Lavatar, see Physiognomy. Shusi Itama, see Scimetar. Sign of the cross, see Ghoul. Silcox, Bella Peeler, see Leonine. Silesia, see Gnome. Silver lining, see Disobedience. Simia Audibilis, see Opera. Simpleton, see Sorcery. Simulation, see Opera. Simurgh, see Rabble. Sin, see Brahma; Christian; Day; Deluge; Idleness; Impenitence; Repentance; Success; Wall Street. Sincere, see Seal. Sine cero, see Seal. Singer, see Minstrel. Page 258 Singiny, Arpad, see Nose. Sinner, see Excommunication; Precipitate; Redemption. Sir Knights Jawy, see Knight. ] Siren, n. One of several musical prodigies famous for a vain attempt to dissuade Odysseus from a life on the ocean wave. Figuratively, any lady of splendid promise, dis- sembled purpose and disappointing performance. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Siva, see Brahma. Skull, see Erudition. Slander, see Technicality. ] Slang, n. The grunt of the human hog (Pignoramus intolerabilis) with an audible memory. The speech of one who utters with his tongue that which he thinks with his ear, and feels the pride of a creator in accomplishing the feat of a parrot. A means (under Providence) of setting up as a wit without a capital of sense. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Slap-stick, see Curse. Slave, see Emancipation; Inauspiciously; Marriage. Slave-driver, see Debt. Sleek, see Oleaginous. Sleeping John Sharp Williams, see Lore. Slippery-elm, see Tenacity. Sloluck, G. Milton, see Sheriff. Slupsky, Worgum, see Portable. Smero, see K. Smile, see Rarebit. Smith, Charlotte, see Smithareen. Smith, Edam, see Tariff. Smith, Giacomo, see Corporal. Smith, John, see Inscriptions. Page 259 Smith, Juan, see Quixotic. Smith, Polydore, see Brahma; Sophistry; Youth. Smith, Sigismund, see Lexicographer. Smith, Stromboli, see Out-of-Doors. ] Smithareen, n. A fragment, a decomponent part, a remain. The word is used variously, but in the following verses a noted female reformer who opposed bicycle-riding by women because it "led them to the devil" it is seen at its best: The wheels go round without a sound -- The maidens hold high revel; In sinful mood, insanely gay, True spinsters spin down the way From duty to the devil! They laugh, they sing, and -- ting-a-ling! Their bells go all the morning; Their lanterns bright bestar the night Pedestrians a-warning. With lifted hands Miss Charlotte stands, Good-Lording and O-mying, Her rheumatism forgotten quite, Her fat with anger frying. She blocks the path that leads to wrath, Jack Satan's power defying. The wheels go round without a sound The lights burn red and blue and green. What's this that's found upon the ground? Poor Charlotte Smith's a smithareen! John Williams Yope [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Smoke, see Sylph. Smooth, see Oleaginous. Snails, see Female. Snake, see Adder; Basilisk; Controversy; Edible; Geology; Language; Laocoon; Rattlesnake. Snedeker, see Gnome; K. Sneeze, see Reliquary. Soak, see Tope. Soap-boilers, see Roundhead. Soapy Sam, see Oleaginous. Page 260 Socialism, see Grapeshot; Troglodyte. Society for Prevention of Prevalence, see Regalia. Socrates, see Platonic. Sodality of Inhospitable Hogs, see Regalia. Soldier, see Barrack; Dragoon; Misericorde; Valor. Solecisms, see Sandlotter. Solemn, see Philistine. Solemnity, see Ability. Solicitate of gold, see Adamant. Solomon, See Dog; Freemasons. Soluble, see Adamant. Song of Hiawatha, see Whangdepootenawah Sons of the South Star, see Regalia. Sons of the West, see Regalia. Soper, Han, see Life. Sophis, see Infidel. ] Sophistry, n. The controversial method of an opponent, dis- tinguished from one's own by superior insincerity and fooling. This method is that of the later Sophists, a Gre- cian sect of philosophers who began teaching wisdom, prudence, science, art and, in brief, whatever men ought to know, but lost themselves in a maze of quibbles and a fog of words. His bad opponent's "facts" he sweeps away, And drags his sophistry to light of day; Then swears they're pushed to madness who resort To falsehood of so desperate a sort. Not so; like sods upon a dead man's breast, He lies most lightly who the least is pressed. Polydore Smith [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Sorceresses, see Hag. ] Sorcery, n. The ancient prototype and forerunner of politi- cal influence. It was, however, deemed less respectable and Page 261 sometimes was punished by torture and death. Augustine Nicholas relates that a poor peasant who had been accused of sorcery was put to the torture to compel a confession. After enduring a few gentle agonies the suffering simpleton admitted his guilt, but naively asked his tormentors if it were not possible to be a sorcerer without knowing it. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Sorcery, see Inadmissible. ] Soul, n. A spiritual entity concerning which there hath been brave disputation. Plato held that those souls which in a previous states of existence (antedating Athens) had obtained the clearest glimpses of eternal truth entered into the bodies of persons who became philosophers. Plato him- self was a philosopher. The souls that had least contem- plated divine truth animated the bodies of usurpers and despots. Dionysius I, who had threatened to decapitate the broadbrowed philosopher, was a usurper and despot. Plato, doubtless, was not the first to construct a system of philo- sophy that could be quoted against his enemies; certainly he was not the last. "Concerning the nature of the soul," said the renowned author of Diversiones Sanctorum, "there hath been hardly more argument than that of its place in the body. Mine own belief is that the soul hath her seat in the abdomen -- in which faith we may discern and interpret a truth hitherto unintelligible, namely that the glutton is of all men most devout. He is said in the Scripture to 'make a god of his belly' -- why, then, should he not be pious, having ever his Deity with him to freshen his faith? Who so well as he can know the might and majesty that he shrines? Truly and soberly, the soul and the stomach are one Divine Entity; and such was the belief of Promasius, who nevertheless erred in denying it immortality. He had observed that its visible and material substance failed and decayed with the rest of the body after death, but of its immaterial essence he knew nothing. This is what we call the Appetite, and it survives the wreck and reek of mortality, to be rewarded or punished in another world, according to what it hath demanded in the flesh. The Appetite whose coarse clamoring was for the un- wholesome viands of the general market and the public refec- tory shall be cast into eternal famine, whilst that which firmly though civilly insisted on ortolansm caviare, terra- pin, anchovies, pate's de foie gras and all such Christian comestibles shall flesh its spiritual tooth in the souls of them forever and ever, and wreck its divine thirst upon the immortal parts of the rarest and richest wines ever quaffed here below. Such is my religious faith, though I grieve to confess that neither His Holiness the Pope, nor His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury (whom I equally and profoundly revere) will assent to its dissemination. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] Page 262 [ Soul, see Admonition; Affliction; Everlasting; Houri; In'ards; Platitude; Satan. South Africa, see Gnu. Southey, Robert, see Laureate. Sovereign, see Abdication; Absolute; Alien; Coronation. Spaniard, see Tope. Spanish, see Quixotic. Sparrow, see Whangdepootenawah. Speak, see Saw. Speak of the Devil and he will appear, see Saw. Speaker of the House, see Quorum. Spear, see Projectile. Specialist, see Connoisseur. Speech, see Harangue. Spelling, see Orthography. Spencer, see Positivism. Spencer, Herbert, see Respond. Sphinx, see Reading. Spink, Dudley, see Ovation. Spinsters, see Smithareen. Spittle, see Controversy. Splaypes humpidorsus, see Camel. Spleen, see In'ards. Splendor of the universe, see Opposition. Splurge, Miss Sallie Ann, see Lord. Spoils, see Lighthouse. ] Spooker, n. A writer whose imagination concerns itself with Page 263 the supernatural phenomena, especially the doings of spooks. One of the most illustrious spookers of our time is Mr. Wil- liam D. Howells, who introduces a well-credentialed reader to as respectable and mannerly a company of spooks as one could wish to meet. To the terror that invests the chairman of a district school board, the Howells ghost adds something of the mystery enveloping a farmer from another township. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Spoon, see Regalia. Spotlight, see Regalia. Sputa, see Laughter. Squander, see Saw. Staff of Office, see Mace. Stag, see Gnu. Stage, see Tights. Stanford University, see Leviathan. Stantatus, C., see Ass. Statesman, see Agitator; Arena; Conservative; Multitude; Politician; Politician; Quiver; Tariff. Statisticians, see Dullards. Steal, see Deputy. Stealing, see Decalogue (VIII). Steam bath, see Bath. Steamboat, see Fool. Steeple, see House of God. Sterling sign-Sterling sign-D, see LL.D. Stims, Barney, see Satire. Stoic, see Callous. Stomach, see Abdomen; In'ards; Soul; Symbolic. Stone walls, see Prison. Stones to bread, see Caaba. ] Page 264 Story, n. A narrative, commonly untrue. The truth of the stories here following has, however, not been successfully impeached. One Evening Mr. Rudolph Block, of New York, found himself seated at dinner along- side Mr. Percival Pollard, the distinguished critic. "Mr. Pollard," said he, "My book, The Biography of a Dead Cow, is published anonymously, but you can hardly be ignorant of its authorship. yet in reviewing it you speak of it as the work of the Idiot of the Century. Do you think that fair criticism?" "I am very sorry, sir." replied the critic, amiably, "but it did not occur to me that you really might not wish the public to know who wrote it." Mr. W. C. Morrow, who used to live in San Jose, California, was addicted to writ- ing ghost stories which made the reader feel as if a stream of lizards, fresh from the ice, were streaking it his back and hiding in his hair. San Jose was at that time believed to be haunted by the visible spirit of a noted bandit named Vasquez, who had been hanged there. The town was not very well lighted, and it is putting it mildly to say that San Jose was reluctant to be out o' nights. One particularly dark night two gentlemen were abroad in the loneliest spot within the city limits, talking loudly to keep up their courage, when they came upon Mr. G. J. Owen, a well-known journalist. "Why, Owen," said one, "what brings you here on such a night as this? You told me that this is one of Vasquez's favorite haunts! And you are a believer. Aren't you afraid to be out?" "My dear fellow," the journalist re- plied with a drear autumnal cadence in his speech, like the moan of a leaf-laden wind, "I'm afraid to be in. I have one of Will Morrow's stories in my pocket and I don't dare go where there is enough light to read it." Page 265 Rear-Admiral Schley and Representative Charles F. Joy were standing near the Peace Monument, in Washington, discussing the question, Is success a failure? Mr. Joy suddenly broke off in middle of an eloquent sentence, exclaiming: "Hello, I've heard that band before, Santlemann's, I think." "I don't hear any band," said Schley. "Come to think, I don't either," said Joy; "but I see General Miles coming down the avenue, and that pageant always affects me in the same way as a brass band. One has to scrutinize one's impressions pretty closely, or one will mistake their origin." While the Admiral was digesting this hasty meal of philosophy General Miles passed in view, a spectacle of impressive dignity. When the tail of the seeming pro- cession had passed and the two observers had recovered for the transient blindness caused by its effulgence ---- "He seems to be enjoying himself," said the Admiral. "There is nothing," assented Joy, thoughtfully, "that he enjoys one-half so well." The illustrious statesman, Champ Clark once lived about a mile from the village of Jebigue, in Missouri. One day he rode into town on a favorite mule, and, hitching the beast on the sunny side of a street, in front of a saloon, he went inside in his character of teetotaler, to apprise the barkeeper that wine is a mocker. It was a dreadfully hot day. Pretty soon a neighbor came in and seeing Clark,said: "Champ, it is not right to leave that mule out there in the sun. He'll roast sure! -- he was smoking as I passed him." "O, he's all right," said Clark, lightly: "He's an inveterate smoker." Page 266 The neighbor took a lemonade, but shook his head and repeated that it was not right. He was a conspirator. There had been a fire the night before: a stable just around the corner had burned and a number of horses had put on their immortality, among them a young colt, which was roasted to a rich nut-brown. Some of the boys had turned Mr. Clark's mule loose and substituted the mor- tal part of the colt. Presently another man entered the saloon. "For mercy's sake!" he said, taking it with sugar, "do remove that mule, barkeep: it smells." "Yes," interposed Clark, "that animal has the best nose in Missouri. But if he doesn't mind, you shouldn't." In the course of human events Mr. Clark went out, and there, apparently, lay the in- cinerated and shrunken remains of his charger. The boys did not have any fun out of Mr. Clark, who looked at the body and, with the non-committal expression to which he owes so much of his political preferment, went away. But walking home late that night he saw his mule standing silent and solemn by the wayside in the misty moonlight. Mentioning the name of Helen Blazes with un- common emphasis, Mr. Clark took the back track as hard as ever he could hook it, and passed the night in town. General H. H. Wotherspoon, president of the Army War College, has a pet rib-nosed baboon, an animal of uncommon intelligence but imperfectly beautiful. returning to his apartment one evening, the General was surprised and pained to find Adam (for so the creature is named, the general being a Darwinian) sitting up for him and wearing its master's best uniform coat, epaulettes and all. "You confounded remote ancestor!" thun- dered the great strategist, "what do you mean by being out of bed after taps? -- and with my coat on!" Adam rose and with a reproachful look Page 267 got down on all fours in the manner of his kind and, scuffling across the room to a table, returned with a visiting-card: General Barry had called and, judging by an empty champagne bottle and several cigar-stumps, had been hospitably enter- tained while waiting. The general apologized to his faithful progenitor and retired. The next day he met General Barry, who said: "Spoon, old man, when leaving you last evening I forgot to ask you about those ex- cellent cigars. Where do you get them?" General Wotherspoon did not deign to reply, but walked away. "Pardon me, please," said Barry, moving after him; "I was joking of course. Why, I knew it was not you before I had been in the room fifteen minutes." [Ci;Cr;D;S 2 illus] [ Stour, see Reliquary. Straw man, see Administration. Street car, see Electricity. Strigg, Venable, see Macrobian. Strike while the iron is hot, see Saw. Strunk, Arbely C., see Enough. Sturdy Beggar, see Responsibility. Stutz, Offenbach, see Washingtonian. Subdeans, see Infidel. Sublapsarians, see Infralapsarian. Sublime Legion of Flamboyant Conspicuants, see Regalia. ] Success, n. The one unpardonable sin against one's fellows. In literature, and particularly in poetry, the elements of success are exceedingly simple, and are admirably set forth in the following lines by the reverend Father Gassilasca Jape, entitled, for some mysterious reason, "John A. Joyce." The lad who would prosper must carry a book, Do his thinking in prose and wear Page 268 A crimson cravet, a far-away look And a head of hexameter hair. Be thin in your thought and your body'll be fat; If you wear your hair long you needn't your hat. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Success, see Indecision. Succubae, see Incubus. Sudbury, see Ghoul. Suffragans, see Infidel. ] Suffrage, n. Expression of opinion by means of a ballot. The right of suffrage (which is held to be both a privilege and a duty) means, as commonly interpreted, the right to vote for the man of another man's choice, and is highly prized. Refusal to do so has the bad name of "incivism." The incivilian, however, cannot be properly arranged for his crime, for there is no legitimate accuser. If the accuser is himself guilty he has not standing in the court of opinion; if not, he profits by the crime, for A's absten- tion from voting gives greater weight to the vote of B. By female suffrage is meant the right of a woman to vote as some man tells her to. It is based on female responsibil- ity, which is somewhat limited. The woman most eager to jump out of her petticoat to assert her rights is first to jump back into it when threatened with a switching for misusing them. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Suffragette, see Suffrage. Sugar Trust, see Lore. Suitor, see Refusal. Suleiman, Habeed, see Redundant. Sultan, see Redundant. Sun god, see Baal. Sun-soaked, see Dog. Superfluous, see Redundant. Supernatural, see Spooker. Superseded, see Absent. Superstition, see Magic. Page 269 Supralapsarians, see Infralapsarian. Supreme Court, see Executive. Swallow (bird), see Bounty; Hibernate; Insectivora. Swatkin, see Urbanity. Sweden, see Gnome. Swig, see Tope. Swill, see Tope. Swim bladder, see Pedigree. Swindlers, see Ethnology. Swine, see Rabble. Swope, Gorton, see Heat. Sword, see Projectile; Regalia; Scimetar. ] Sycophant, n. One who approaches Greatness on his belly so that he may not be commanded to turn and be kicked. He is sometimes an editor. As the lean leech, its victim found, is pleased To fix itself upon a part diseased Till, its black hide distended with bad blood, It drops to die of surfeit in the mud, So the base sycophant with joy descries His neighbor's weak spot and his mouth applies, Gorges and prospers like the leech, although, Unlike that reptile, he will not let go. Gelasma, if it paid you to devote Your talent to the service of a goat, Showing by forceful logic that its beard Is more than Aaron's fit to be revered; If to the task of honoring its smell Profit had prompted you, and love as well, The world would benefit at last by you And wealthy malefactors weep anew -- Your favor for a moment's space denied And to the nobler object turned aside. Isn't not enough that thrifty millionaires Who loot in freight and spoliate in fares, Or, cursed with consciences that bit them fly To safer villainies of darker dye, Forswearing robbery and fain, instead, To steal (they call it "cornering")our bread May see you groveling their boots to lick And begging for the favor of a kick? Page 270 Still must you follow to the bitter end Your sycophantic disposition's trend, And in your eagerness to please the rich Hunt hungry sinners to their final ditch? In Morgan's praise you smite the sounding wire, And sing hosannas to great Havemeyer! What's Satan done that him you should eschew? He too is reeking rich -- deducting you. [Ci;D;P;S] Syllogism, n. A logical formula consisting of a major and a minor assumption and a inconsequent. (See Logic.) [Ci;D;S] [ Those who can, do Those who can't, teach Those who can't teach, teach Education. Syllogism, see Logic. ] Sylph, n. An immaterial but visible being that inhabited the air when the air was an element and before it was fa- tally polluted by factory smoke, sewer gas and similar pro- ducts of civilization. Sylphs were allied to gnomes, nymphs and salamanders, which dwelt, respectively, in earth, water and fire, all now insalubrious. Sylphs, like fowls of the air, were male and female, to no purpose, apparently, for if they had progeny they must have nested in inaccessible places, none of the chicks having ever been seen. [Ci;Cr;D;P (out of order);S] Symbol, n. Something that is supposed to typify or stand for something else. Many symbols are mere "survivals" -- things which having no longer any utility continue to exist because we have inherited the tendency to make them; as funereal urns carved on memorial monuments. They were once real urns holding the ashes of the dead. We cannot stop making them, but we can give them a name that conceals our helplessness. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Symbolic, adj. Pertaining to symbols and the use and inter- pretation of symbols. They say 'tis conscience feels compunction; I hold that that's the stomach's function, For of the sinner I have noted That when he's sinned he's somewhat bloated, Or ill [in] some other ghastly fashion Within that bowel of compassion. True, I believe the only sinner Is he that eats a shabby dinner. You know how Adam with good reason, For eating apples out of season, Was "cursed." But that is all symbolic: The truth is, Adam had the colic. G.J. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Page 271 [ Sympathy, see Condole. Syphilis, see King's Evil. Syren, see Siren. [P illus] Szedgkin, see Halo. ] Page 272 -----T----- T, the twentieth letter of the English alphabet, was by the Greeks absurdly called tau. In the alphabet whence ours comes it had the form of the rude corkscrew of the period, and when it stood alone (which was more than the Phoenicians could always do) signified Tallegal, translated by the learned Dr. Brownrigg, "tanglefoot." [Ci;D;S] Table D' Hote, n. A caterer's thrifty concession to the universal passion for irresponsibility. Old Paunchinello, freshly wed, Took Madame P. to table, And there deliriously fed As fast as he was able. "I dote upon good grub," he cried, Intent upon its throatage. "Ah, yes," said the neglected bride, "You're in your table D' hotage." Associated Poets [Ci;D;S] [ Tadpole, see Leviathan. ] Tail, n. The part of an animal's spine that has transcended its natural limitations to set up an independent existence in a world of its own. Excepting in his foetal state, man is without a tail, a privation of which he attests an hereditary and uneasy consciousness by the coat-skirt of the male and the train of the female, and by a marked tendency to ornament that part of his attire where the tail would be, and indubitably once was. This tendency is most observable in the female of the species, in whom the ancestral sense is string and persistent. The tailed men described by Lord Monboddo are now generally regarded as a product of an im- agination unusually susceptible to influences generated in the golden age of our pithecan past. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] [ Tailor, see Armor. Taj Mahal, see Worms'-meat. ] Take, v.t. To acquire, frequently by force but preferably Page 273 by stealth. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Talapoins, see Infidel. ] Talk, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Tallegal, see T. Tambourine, see End. Tapeworms, see Commonwealth. Tapple, Ferdando, see Scarabee. ] Tariff, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his customer. The Enemy of Human Souls Sat grieving at the cost of coals; For Hell had been annexed of late, And was a sovereign Southern State. "It were no more than right," said he, That I should get my fuel free. The duty, neither just nor wise, Compels me to economize -- Whereby my broiler, every one, Are execrably underdone. What would they have? -- although I yearn To do them nicely to a turn, I can't afford an honest heat. This tariff makes even devils cheat! I'm ruined, and my humble trade All rascals may at will invade: Beneath my nose the public press Outdoes me in sulphureousness; The bar ingeniously applies To my undoing my own lies; My medicines the doctors use (Albeit vainly) to refuse To me my fair and rightful prey And keep their own in shape to pay; The preachers by example teach What, scorning to perform, I preach; And statesman, aping me, all make More promises than they can break. Against such competition I Lift up a disregarded cry. Since all ignore my just complaint, By Hokey-Pokey! I'll turn saint!" Page 274 Now, the Republicans, who all Are saints, began at once to bawl Against his competition; so There was a devil of a go! They locked horns with him, tete-a-tete In acrimonious debate, Till Democrats, forlorn and alone, Had hopes of coming by their own. The evil to avert, in haste The two belligerents embraced; But since 'twere wicked to relax A tittle of the Sacred Tax, 'Twas finally agreed to grant The bold Insurgent-protestant A bounty on each soul that fell Into his ineffectual Hell. Adam Smith [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Tartan, see Wall Street. Tartar, see Russian. Tate, Joram, see Accountability. Tau, see T. Taxes, see Justice. Te Deum Laudamus, see Tedium. Tears, see Emotio; Fashion; Handkerchief. ] Technicality, n. In an English court a man named Home was tried for slander in having accused a neighbor of murder. His exact words were: "Sir Thomas Holt hath taken a cleaver and stricken his cook upon the head, so that one side of the head fell upon one shoulder and the other side upon the other shoulder." The defendant was acquitted by instruction of the court, the learned judges holding that the words did not charge murder, for they did not affirm the death of the cook, that being only an inference. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Teddy the Giant Killer, see Lore. ] Tedium, n. Ennui, the state or condition of one that is bored. Many fanciful derivations of the word have been af- firmed, but so high an authority as Father Jape says that it comes from a very obvious source -- the first words of the ancient Latin hymn Te Deum Laudamus. In this apparently na- tural derivation there is something that saddens. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] Page 275 [ Teeth, weak, see Adage. ] Teetotaler, n. One who abstains from strong drink, some- times totally, sometimes tolerably totally. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Teetotaler, see Story. Telegraph, see Fool. ] Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S illus] [ Telephone, see Telescope. ] Telescope, n. A device having a relation to the eye similar to that of the telephone to the ear, enabling distant ob- jects to plague us with a multitude of needless details. Luckily it is unprovided with a bell summoning us to the sacrifice. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Temple, see Inauspiciously; Regalia. Temple of Apes in Ceylon, see Sacred. Ten Commandments, see Decalogue; Sabbath. ] Tenacity, n. A certain quality of the human hand in its re- lation to the coin of the realm. It attains its highest development in the hand of authority and is considered a serviceable equipment for a career in politics. The follow- ing illustrative lines were written of a Californian gentle- man in high political preferment, who has passed to his accounting: Of such tenacity his grip That nothing from his hand can slip. Well-buttered eels you may o'erwhelm In tubs of liquid slippery-elm In vain -- from his detaining pinch They cannot struggle half an inch! "Tis lucky that he is so planned That breath he draws not with his hand, For if he did, so great his greed He'd draw his last with eager speed. Nay, that were well, you say. Not so Page 276 He'd draw it but never let it go! [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Terrapin, see Soul. Testimony, see Inadmissible; Proof. Thaddeus Polandensis, see Leviathan. Thalia,see Graces.  Theocide, see Redemption. Theology, see Dullard; Everlastng; Extinction; Fool; Foreordination; Half; Infralapsarian; Miscreant; Reprobation. Theophagi, see Eucharist. ] Theosophy, n. An ancient faith having all the certitude of religion and all the mystery of science. The modern Theoso- phist holds, with the Buddhists, that we live an incalcul- able number of times on this earth, in as many several bodies, because one life is not long enough for our complete spiritual development; that is, a single lifetime does not suffice for us to become as wise and good as we choose to become. To be absolutely wise and good -- that is perfection; and the Theosophist is so keen-sighted as to have observed that everything desirous of improvement even- tually attains perfection. Less competent observers are disposed to except cats, which seem neither wiser nor better than they were last year. The greatest and fattest of re- cent Theosophists was the late Madame Blavatsky, who had no cat. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] [ Thessaly, see Olympian. Thibet [Tibet], see Impale; Sacred. Thief, see Alderman; Alliance; Beg; Brahma; Erudition; Ethnology; Imposition; Kleptomaniac; Magpie; Plunder; Portable; Robber; Wall Street. Think twice before you speak, see Saw. Thirst, see Potable. Thistles, see Youth. Thothmes, see Freemasons. Thousand and One Nights, see Romance. Page 277 Three-legged, see Scimetar. Thrift, see Rapacity. Thrifty, see Close-fisted. Thro-Doric, see Ramshackle. Throne, see Abdication; Interregnum. Thumbs, see Scimetar. Thunder, see Editor; Gnu. Tiara, Pope's, see Halo. Tibet, see Impale; Sacred. Tickle, see Dullard; Fiddle. Tiger, see Epigram. ] Tights, n. An habiliment of the stage designed to reinforce the general acclamation of the press agent with a particular publicity. Public attention was once somewhat diverted from this garment to Miss Lillian Russell's refusal to wear it, and many were the conjectures as to her motive, the guess of Miss Pauline Hall showing a high order of ingenuity and sus- tained reflection. It was Miss Hall's belief that nature had not endowed Miss Russell with beautiful legs. This theory was impossible of acceptance by the male understand- ing, but the conception of a faulty female leg was of so prodigious originality as to rank among the most brilliant feats of philosophical speculation! It is strange that in all the controversy regarding Miss Russell's aversion to tights no one seems to have thought to ascribe it to what was known among the ancients as "modesty." The nature of that sentiment is now imperfectly understood, and possibly incapable of exposition with the vocabulary that remains to us. The study of lost arts has, however, been recently re- vived and some of the arts themselves recovered. This is an epoch of renaissances, and there is ground for hope that the primitive "blush" may be dragged from its hiding-place amongst the tombs and hissed on to the stage. [Ci;Cr;D;S illus] [ Tipple, see Tope. Titan, see Lyre. Tithe, see Head-Money. Title, see Income; Resign. Page 278 Toad, see Edible; Realism; Respond. Toad-in-the-hole, see Rarebit. Toledo, see Trial. Tolstoi, see Nihilist. Tomato cans, see Geology. ] Tomb, n. The House of Indifference. Tombs are now by com- mon consent invested with a certain sanctity, but when they have been long tenanted it is considered no sin to break them open and rifle them, the famous Egyptologist, Dr. Hug- gyns, explaining that a tomb may be innocently "glened" as soon as its occupant is done "smellynge," the soul being then all exhaled. This reasonable view is now generally ac- cepted by archaelogists, whereby the noble science of Cu- riosity has been greatly dignified. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Tombeau Napolean, see Worms'-meat. Tombstone, see Inscriptions. Tongue in cheek, see Editor. Tongue, see Auctioneer. Tools, see Saw. ] Tope, v. To tipple, booze, swill, soak, guzzle, lush, bib, or swig. In the individual toping is regarded with dis- esteem, but toping nations are in the forefront of civiliza- tion and power. When pitted against hard-drinking Christians the abstemious Mahometans go down like grass be- fore the scythe. In India one hundred thousand beef-eating and brandy-and-soda guzzling Britons hold in subjection two hundred and fifty million vegetarian abstainers of the same Aryan race. With what an easy grace the whisky-loving Amer- ican pushed the temperate Spaniard out of his possessions! From the time when the Berserkers ravaged all the coasts of western Europe and lay drunk in every conquered port it has been the same way: everywhere the nations that drink too much are observed to fight rather well and not too righteously. Wherefore the estimable old ladies who abolished the canteen from the American army may justly boast of having materially augmented the nation's military power. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Tornado, see Hurricane. ] Page 279 Tortoise, n. A creature thoughtfully created to supply oc- casion for the following lines by the illustrious Ambat Delaso: TO MY PET TORTOISE My friend, you are not graceful -- not at all; Your gait's between a stagger and a sprawl. Nor are you beautiful: your head's a snake's To look at, and I do not doubt it aches. As to your feet, they'd make an angel weep. 'Tis true you take them in whene'er you sleep. No, you're not pretty, but you have, I own, A certain firmness -- mostly you're backbone. Firmness and strength (you have a giant's thews) Are virtues that the great know how to use -- I wish that they did not; yet, on the whole, You lack --- excuse my mentioning it -- Soul. So, to be candid, unreserved and true, I'd rather you were I than I were you. Perhaps, however, in a time to be. When Man's extinct, a better world may see Your progeny in power and control, Due to the genesis and growth of Soul. So I salute you as a reptile grand Predestined to regenerate the land. Father of Possibilities, O deign To accept the homage of a dying reign! In the far region of the unforeknown I dream a tortoise upon every throne. I see an Emperor his head withdraw Into his carapace for fear of Law; A King who carries something else than fat, Howe'er acceptably he carries that; A President not strenuously bent On punishment of audible dissent -- Who never shot (it were a vain attack) An armed or unarmed tortoise in the back; Page 280 Subjects and citizens that feel no need To make the March of Mind a wild stampede; All progress slow, contemplative, sedate, And "take your time" the word, in Church and State. O tortoise, 'tis a happy, happy dream, My glorious testudinous re'gime! I wish in Eden you'd brought this about By slouching in and chasing Adam out. [Ci;D;S] [ Tortoise and Hare, see Perseverance. Torture, see Bastinado; Famous; Frying-pan; Lyre; Pillory; Quill; Rack; Scarification; Sorcery. Touch, see King's Evil. Train wreck, see Connoisseur. Transfiguration, see Editor. Travel, see Pilgrim. ] Tree, n. A tall vegetable intended by nature to serve as a penal apparatus, though through a miscarriage of justice most trees bear only a negligible fruit, or none at all. When naturally fruited, the tree is a beneficent agency of civilization and an important factor in public morals. In the stern West and the sensitive South its fruit (white and black respectively) though not eaten, is agreeable to the public taste and, though not exported, profitable to the general welfare. That the legitimate relation of the tree to justice was no discovery of Judge Lynch (who, indeed, conceded it no primacy over the lamp-post and the bridge-girder) is made plain by the following passage from Morryster, who antedated him by two centuries: Whil in yt londe I was carryed to see ye Ghogo tree, whereof I had hearde moch talk; but sayynge yt I saw naught remarka- byll in it, ye hed manne of ye village where it grew made answer as followeth: "Ye tree is not nowe in fruite, but in his seasonne you shall see dependynge fr. his braunches all soch as have affroynted ye king his Majesty." And I was furder tolde yt ye worde "Ghogo" sygnifyeth in yr tong ye same as "rapscal" in our owne. -- Trauvells in ye Page 281 Easte [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] [ Tree, see Embalm. Tree, Jeremiah, see Inscriptions. Tree-dweller, see Troglodyte. Trespass, see Land. ] Trial, n. A formal inquiry designed to prove and put upon the record the blameless character of judges, advocates and jurors. In order to effect this purpose it is necessary to supply a contrast in the person of one who is called the de- fendant, the prisoner, or the accused. If the contrast is made sufficiently clear this person is made to undergo such an affliction as will give the virtuous gentlemen a comfort- able sense of their immunity, added to that of their worth. In our day the accused is usually a human being, or a so- cialist, but in mediaeval times, animals, fishes, reptiles and insects were brought to trial. A beast that had taken human life, or practiced sorcery, was duly arrested, tried, and, if condemned, put to death by the public executioner. Insects ravaging grain fields, orchards or vineyards were cited to appeal by counsel before a civil tribunal, and after testimony, argument and condemnation, if they con- tinued in contumaciam the matter was taken to a high ec- clesiastical court, where they were solemnly excommunicated and anathematized. In a street of Toledo, some pigs that had wickedly run between the viceroy's legs, upsetting him, were arrested on a warrant, tried and punished. In Naples an ass was condemned to be burned at the stake, but the sen- tence appears not to have been executed. D'Addosio relates from the court records many trials of pigs, bulls, horses, cocks, dogs, goats, etc., greatly, it is believed, to the betterment of their conduct and morals. In 1452 a suit was brought against the leeches infesting some ponds about Berne, and the Bishop of Lausanne, instructed by the faculty of Heidelberg University, directed that some of "the aquatic worms" be brought before the local magistracy. This was done and the leeches, both present and absent, were ordered to leave the places that they had infested within three days on pain of incurring "the malediction of God." In he voluminous records of this cause celebre nothing is found to show whether the offenders braved the punishment, or departed forthwith out of that inhospitable jurisdiction. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Trichinosis, n. The pig's reply to proponents of por- cophagy. Moses Mendlessohn having fallen ill sent for a Christian physician, who at once Page 282 diagnosed the philosopher's disorder as trichinosis, but tactfully gave it another name. "You need an immediate change of diet," he said; "you must eat six ounces of pork every other day." "Pork?" shrieked the patient -- "pork? Nothing shall induce me to touch it!" "Do you mean that?" the doctor gravely asked. "I swear it!" "Good! -- then I will undertake to cure you." [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Trigamy, see Bigamy. Trinitarian, see Unitarian. ] Trinity, n. In the multiplex theism of certain Christian churches, three entirely distinct deities consistent with only one. Subordinate deities of the polytheistic faith, such as devils and angels, are not dowered with the power of combination, and must urge individually their claims to adoration and propitiation. The Trinity is one of the most sublime mysteries of our holy religion. In rejecting it be- cause it is incomprehensible, Unitarians betray their inade- quate sense of theological fundamentals. In religion we believe only what we do not understand, except in the in- stance of an intelligible doctrine that contradicts an in- comprehensible one. In that case we believe the former as a part of the latter. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Trinity, see Brahma; Flesh; Lodger; Me; Rector; Reliquary; Usage. Triumph, see Ovation. ] Troglodyte, n. Specifically, a cave-dweller of the paleolithic period, after the Tree and before the Flat. A famous community of troglodytes dwelt with David in the Cave of Adullam. The colony consisted of "every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented" -- in brief, all the Socialists of Judah. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Troglodyes, see Regalia. Page 283 Trojans, see Meander. Trojan war, see Degenerate. Trousers, see Pantaloons. Troy, see Meander; Wrath. ] Truce, n. Friendship. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Truce, see Reconciliation. True Cross, see Reliquary. Trunk, see Proboscis. Trust, see Lore. ] Truth, n. An ingenious compound of desirability and appear- ance. Discovery of truth is the sole purpose of philosophy, which is the most ancient occupation of the human mind and has a fair prospect of existing with increasing activity to the end of time. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] [ Truth, see Friendless; Platitude. ] Truthful, adj. Dumb and illiterate. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Trust, n. In American politics, a large corporation compos- ing in greater part of thrifty working men, widows of small means, orphans in the care of guardians and the courts, with many similar malefactors and public enemies. [Ci;D;S] Turkey, n. A large bird whose flesh when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attest- ing piety and gratitude. Incidentally, it is pretty good eating. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S illus] [ Tsetse, see Tzetze. Tub-and-Sword, see Regalia. Tubercles, see Commonwealth. Turkey, see Ultimatum. Turncoat, see Flop. Turtle, see Apostate; Guillotine. Page 284 ] Twice, adv. Once too often. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Tyndall, Professor, see Heat. ] Type, n. Pestilent bits of metal suspected of destroying civilization and enlightenment despite their obvious agency in this incomparable dictionary. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Tyranny, see Emancipation. Tyrant, see Destiny. Tyree, Jogo, see Absent. ] Tzetze, (or Tsetse) Fly, n. An African insect (Glossina morsitans) whose bite is commonly regarded as nature's most efficacious remedy for insomnia, though some patients prefer that of the American novelist (Mendax interminabilis.) [Ci;D;P;S] Page 285 -----U----- [ Ubiquitarians, see Ubiquity. ] Ubiquity, n. The gift or power of being in all places at one time, but not in all places at all times, which is om- nipresence, an attribute of God and the luminiferous ether only. This important distinction between ubiquity and om- nipresence was not clear to the mediaeval Church and there was much bloodshed about it. Certain Lutherans, who af- firmed the presence everywhere of Christ's body were known as Ubiquitarians. For this error they were doubtless damned, for Christ's body is present only in the eucharist, though that sacrament may be performed in more than one place simultaneously. In recent times ubiquity has not always been understood -- not even by Sir Boyle Rochem for example, who held that a man cannot be in two places at once unless he is a bird. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Uffro, Sukker, see Immodest; Perseverance. ] Ugliness, n. A gift of the gods to certain women,entailing virtue without humility. [Ci;D;P;S] [ Ugly, see Optimism. Ulema of the Imperial Ear, see Ultimatum. Ulemas, see Infidel. ] Ultimatum, n. In diplomacy, a last demand before resorting to concessions. Having received an ultimatum from Austria, the Turkish Ministry met to con- sider it. "O servant of the Prophet," said the Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk to the Mamoosh of the Invincible Army, "How many unconquer- able soldiers have we in arms?" Page 286 "Upholder of the Faith," that dignitary replied after examining his memoranda, "they are in numbers as the leaves of the forest!" "And how many impenetrable battleships strike terror to the hearts of all Christian swine?" he asked the Imaum of the Ever Vic- torious Navy. "Uncle of the Full Moon," was the re- ply, "deign to know that they are as the waves of the ocean, the sands of the desert, and the stars of Heaven!" For eight hours the broad brow of the Sheik of the Imperial Chibouk was corrugated with evidences of deep thought: he was cal- culating the chances of war. Then, "Sons of angels," he said, "the die is cast! I shall suggest to the Ulema of the Imperial Ear that he advise inaction. In the name of Al- lah, the council is adjourned." [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] Un-American, adj. Wicked, intolerable, heathenish. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Unbeliever, see Miscreant. Uncle of the Full Moon, see Ultimatum. ] Unction, n, An oiling, or greasing. The rite of extreme unction consists in touching with oil consecrated by a bishop several parts of the body of one engaged in dying. Marbury relates that after the rite had been administered to a certain wicked English nobleman it was discovered that the oil had not been properly consecrated and no other could be obtained. When informed of this the sick man said in anger, "Then I'll be damned if I die!" "My son," said the priest, "that is what we fear." [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Unctuous, see Oleaginous. Undecipherable Scroll, see Regalia. ] Understanding, n. A cerebral secretion that enables one having it to know a house from a horse by the roof on the house. Its nature and laws have been exhaustively expounded by Locke, by rode a house, and Kant, who lived in a horse. Page 287 His understanding was so keen That all things which he'd felt, heard or seen, He could interpret without fail If he was in or out of jail. He wrote at Inspiration's call Deep disquisitions on them all, The, pent at last in an asylum, Performed the service to compile 'em. So great a writer, all men swore, They never had not read before. Jorrick Wormley [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Undertaker, see Apothecary; Funeral. Unexpected, see Providential. Unhabilimented, see Forma Pauperis. Uniform, see Recruit. Uniformed Rank of Lousy Cats, see Regalia. Unintelligible, see Proof-reader. ] Unitarian, n. One who denies the divinity of a Trinitarian. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Unitarians, see Trinity. United States, see Magdalene; Quorum; Ramshackle. ] Universalist, n. One who forgoes the advantages of a Hell for persons of another faith. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ University, see Restitution; Scarification. University of Belgrade, see G. Unlikelihood, see Proof. Unthrifty, see Rich. Unusual, see Mad. ] Urbanity, n. The kind of civility that urban observers as- cribe to dwellers in all cities but New York. Its commonest expression is heard in the words, "I beg your pardon," and it is not inconsistent with disregard of the rights of Page 288 others. The owner of a powder mill Was musing in a distant hill -- Something his mind foreboded -- When from the cloudless sky there fell A deviled human kidney! Well, The man's mill had exploded. His hat he lifted from his head; "I beg your pardon, sir." he said: "I didn't know 'twas loaded." Swatkin [Ci;Cr;D;S] Usage, n. The First person of the Literary Trinity, the Second and Third being Custom and Conventionality. Imbued with a decent reverence for this Holy Triad an industrious writer may hope to produce books that will live as long as the fashion. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Usurpers, see Soul. ] Uxoriousness, n. A perverted affection that has strayed to one's own wife. [Ci;Cr;D;S illus] Page 289 -----V----- [ Vacuum, see Reality. Vagrant, see Prejudice. ] Valor, n. A soldierly compound of vanity, duty and the gambler's hope. "Why have you halted?" roared the com- mander of a division at Chickamauga, who had ordered the charge; "move forward, sir, at once." "General," said the commander of the delinquent brigade, "I am persuaded that any further display of valor by my troops will bring them into collision with the enemy." [Ci;Cr;D;S] Vanity, n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass. They say that hens do cackle loudest when There's nothing vital in the eggs they've ;aid; And there are hens, professing to have made A study of mankind who say that men Whose business 'tis to drive the tongue or pen Make the most clamorous fanfaronade O'er their most worthless work; and I'm afraid They're not entirely different from the hen. Lo! the drum-major in his coat of gold, His blazing breeches and high-towering cap -- Imperiously pompous, grandly bold, Grim, resolute, an awe-inspiring chap! Who'd think this gorgeous creature's only virtue Is that in battle he will never hurt you? Hannibal Hunsiker [Ci;Cr;D;S illus] [ Vanity, see Valor. Vasquez, see Story. Vaudeville, see End; Notoriety. Page 290 Vegetarian, see Botany; Carnivorous; Decalogue (VI); Tope. Veil of the temple, see Editor. Venerate, see Adore. Venus, see Graces; Ichor. Vergers, see Infidel. Vermont, see Lunarians. Verticalists, see Zenith. Veto, see Scepter. Vicar, see Infidel; Rector. Vicars-choral, see Infidel. Vice, see Age; Delusion; Digestion; Editor; Idleness. Victuals, see Digestion. Vierick, see Great. Vilified, see Absent. Vilify, see Ambition. Violet, see Embalm. Violin, see Cremona. Viper, see Half. Virgin, see Halo. Virginia City, Nevada, see Ass. ] Virtues, n. pl. Certain abstentions. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Virtues, see Delusion; Digestion; Editor; Fidelity; Perseverance; Righteousness; Ruin. Vishnu, see Brahma. Visionaries of Delectable Bosh, see Regalia. ] Vituperation, n. Satire, as understood by dunces and all such as suffer from an impediment in their wit. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Page 291 [ Vode, Barlow S., see Debt. Voltaire, see Robber. Voodoos, see Infidel. ] Vote, n. The instrument and symbol of a freeman's power to make a fool of himself and a wreck of his country. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] [ Vote, see African; Elector; Plebiscite; President; Recount; Referendum; Suffrage; Washingtonian. ] Page 292 -----W----- W (double U) has, of all the letters in our alphabet, the only cumbrous name, the names of others being monosyllabic. This advantage of the Roman alphabet over the Grecian is the more valued after audibly spelling out some simple Greek words, like epsilon-pi-iota-chi-omicron-rho-iota-alpha-mu- beta-iota-omicron-sigma. Still it is now thought by the learned that other agencies than the difference of the two alphabets may have been concerned in the decline of "the glory that was Greece" and the rise of "the grandeur that was Rome." There can be no doubt, however that by simplify- ing the name of W (calling it "wow," for example) our civil- ization could be, if not promoted, at least better endured. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Wagner, Richard, see Frog. Walk, see Peripatetic. Walker, Dr. Mary, see Handkerchief. Walking, see Bastinado. ] Wall Street, n. A symbol of sin for every devil to rebuke. That Wall Street is a den of thieves is a belief that serves every unsuccessful thief in the place of hope in Heaven. Even the great and good Andrew Carnegie has made his profes- sion of faith in the matter. Carnegie the dauntless has uttered his call To battle: "The brokers are parasites all!" Carnegie, Carnegie, you'll never prevail; Keep the wind of your slogan to belly your sail, Go back to your isle of perpetual brume, Silence your pibroch, doff tartan and plume: Ben Lomond is calling his son from the fray -- Fly, fly from the region of Wall Street away! While still you're possessed of a single baubee (I wish it were pledged to endowment of me) 'Twere wise to retreat from the wars of finance Lest its value decline ere your credit advance. For a man 'twixt a king of finance and the sea, Carnegie, Carnegie, your tongue is too free! Anonymous Bink [Ci;Cr;D;S] Page 293 War, n. A byproduct of the arts of peace. The most menac- ing political condition is a period of international amity. The student of history who has not been taught to expect the unexpected may justly boast himself inaccessible to the light. "In times of peace prepare for war" has a deeper meaning than is commonly discerned; it means, not merely that all things earthly have an end -- that change is the one immutable and eternal law -- but that the soil of peace is thickly sown with seeds of war and singularly suited to their germination and growth. It was when Kubla Khan had decreed his "stately pleasure dome" -- when, that is to say, there were peace and fat feasting in Xanada -- that he heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war. One of the greatest poets, Coleridge was one of the wisest of men, and it was not for nothing that he read this parable. Let us have a little less of "hands across the sea," and a little more of that elemental distrust that is the security of nations. War loves to come like a thief in the night; professions of eternal amity provide the night. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] [ War, see Battle; Controversy; Cross; Flag; Fool; Gunpowder; Indecision; Knight; Logomachy; Occident; Peace; Roundhead; Tope; Ultimatum. War-ship, see Admiral. Warning, friendly, see Admonition. Warriors of the Long Bow, see Regalia. Warted, see Regalia. Washington, see Ramshackle; Story. Washington monument, see Inscriptions. ] Washingtonian, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage of good government. In justice to him it should be said that he did not want to. They took away his right to vote and gave instead The right, when he had earned it, to eat his bread. In vain -- he clamors for his "boss," poor soul, To come again and part him from his roll. Offenbach Stutz [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Washoe County, see Ass. Page 294 Watch-dog, see Cerberus. Water, see Potable. Wax, see Seal. WCTU, see Wine. ] Weaknesses, n. pl. Certain primal powers of Tyrant Woman wherewith she holds dominion over the male of her species, binding him to the service of her will and paralyzing his rebellious energies. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Wealth, see Eulogy; Impunity. Wear and Tear, see Price. ] Weather, n. The climate of an hour. A permanent topic of conservation among persons whom it does not interest, but who have inherited the tendency to chatter about it from naked arboreal ancestors whom it keenly concerned. The set- ting up of official weather bureaus and their maintenance in mendacity prove that even governments are accessible to sua- sion by the rude forefathers of the jungle. Once I dipt into the future as far as human eye could see And I saw the Chief Forecaster, dead as any one can be -- Dead and damned and shut in Hades as a liar from his birth, With a record of unreason seldom paralleled on earth. While I looked he reared him solemnly, that incandescent youth, from the coals that he'd preferred to the advantage of truth. He cast his eyes about him and above him; then he wrote On a slab of thin as- bestos what I venture here to quote -- For I read it in the rose-light of the everlasting glow: "Cloudy; variable winds, with local showers; cooler; snow." Halcyon Jones [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Weather, see Barometer; Story. Webster, Noah, see Mad. ] Wedding, n. A ceremony at which two persons undertake to Page 295 become one, one undertakes to become nothing, and nothing undertakes to become supportable. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Weffing, Fogarty, see Hope. Welsh, see Rarebit. ] Werewolf, n. A wolf that was once, or is sometimes, a man. All werewolves are of evil disposition, having assumed a bestial form to gratify a bestial appetite, but some, transformed by sorcery, are as humane as is consistent with an acquired taste for human flesh. Some Bavarian peasants having caught a wolf one evening, tied it to a post by the tail and went to bed. The next morning nothing was there! Greatly perplexed, they consulted the local priest, who told them their captive was undoubtedly a werewolf and had resumed its human form during the night. "The next time that you take a wolf," the good man said, "see that you chain it by the leg, and in the morning you will find an Lutheran." [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ West Indies, see Hurricane. Westminster Abbey, see Primate. Whale, see Leviathan. ] Whangdepootenawah, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard. Should you ask me whence this laughter, Whence this audible big-smiling, With its labial extension, With its maxillar distortion And its diaphragmic rhythmus Like the billowing of the ocean, Like the shaking of a carpet, I should answer you, I should tell you: From the great deeps of spirit, From the unplummeted abysmus Of the soul this laughter welleth As the fountain, the gug-guggle, Like the river from the canon, To entoken and giving warning That my present mood is sunny. Should you ask me further question -- Why the great deeps of the spirit, Page 296 Why the unplummeted abysmus Of the soul extrudes this laughter, This all audible big-smiling, I should answer, I should tell you With a white heart, tumpittumpy, With a true tongue, honest Injun: William Bryan, he has Caught It, Caught the Whangdepootenawah! Is't the sandhill crane, the shankank, Standing in the marsh, kneedeep, Standing silent in the kneedeep With his wing-tips crossed behind him And his neck close-reefed before him, With his bill, his william buried In the down upon his bosom, With his head retracted inly. While his shoulder overlook it? Does the sandhill crane, the shankank, Shiver grayly in the north wind, Wishing he had died when little, As the sparrow, the chipchip, does? No 'tis not the Shankank standing, Standing in the gray and dismal kneedeep. No 'tis peerless William Bryan Realizing that he's Caught It, Caught the Whangdepootenawah! [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ What is worth doing is worth doing well, see Saw. ] Wheat, n. A cereal from which a tolerably good whiskey can with some difficulty be made, and which is used also for bread. The French are said to eat more bread per capita of population than any other people, which is natural, for only they know how to make the stuff palatable. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Where there's a will there's a way, see Saw. Whip, see Debt. Whiskey, see Economy; Severalty; Wheat. ] White, adj. and n. Black. [Ci;Cr;D;P (out of order);S] [ White Cross, see Cross. White House, see Quorum; Ramshackle. White man's Burden, see Zigzag. Page 297 Whites, see Severalty. Whitman, Walt, see Incommpossible. Whitney, Professor, see Populist. Wicked, see Un-American. ] Widow, n. A pathetic figure that the Christian world has agreed to take humorously, although Christ's tenderness to- wards widows was one of the most marked features of his character. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Widow, see Troglodyte. Wife, see Helpmate; Mustang. Wife-Beaters, see Regalia. Wilcox, Ella Wheeler, see Lyre. William, see Whangdepootenawah. Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, James, see Gunpowder. ] Wine, n. Fermented grape-juice known to the Woman's Chris- tian Union as "liquor," sometimes as "rum." Wine, madame is God's next best gift to man. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Wine, see Connoisseur; Excess; Story. Wine cellar, see Birth. Wisdom, boned, see Adage. Wisdom, see Aphorism; Multitude; Sophistry. ] Wit, n. The salt with which the American humorist spoils his intellectual cookery by leaving it out. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] Witch, n. (1) An ugly and repulsive old woman, in a wicked league with the devil. (2) A beautiful and attractive young woman, in wickedness a league beyond the devil. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P illus;S illus (next page)] [ Witch, see Hag; Rice-water. Witchcraft, see Inadmissible. Page 298 Witchell, Dr. Meir, see Laughter. Witnesses, see Proof. ] Witticism, n. A sharp and clever remark, usually quoted, and seldom noted; what the Philistine is pleased to call a "joke." [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Wolecraft, see Impale. Wolf, see Machination. ] Woman, n. An animal usually living in the vicinity of Man, and having a rudimentary susceptibility to domestication. It is credited by many of the elder zoologists with a cer- tain vestigial docility acquired in a former state of seclu- sion, but naturalists in the postsusananthony period, having no knowledge of the seclusion, deny the virtue and declare that such as creation's dawn beheld, it roareth now. The species is the most widely distributed of all beasts of prey, infesting all habitable parts of the globe, from Greenland's spicy mountains to India's moral strand. The popular name (wolf-man) is incorrect, for the creature is of the cat kind. The woman is lithe and graceful in its move- ments, especially the American variety (Felis pugnans), is omnivorous and can be taught not to talk. -- Balthasar Pober. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Woman, see Circus; Convent; Curiosity; Digestion; Dog; Eavesdrop; Epigram; Female; Garter; Hebrew; Hostility; Houri; House-Maid; Indiscretion; Lap; Lim; Magdalene; Maiden; Miss; Mouse; Mouth; Pocket; Prude; Refusal; Ruin; Salacity; Seine; Siren; Smithareen; Suffrage; Tights; Ugliness; Weaknesses; Wine. Wood, Leonard, see Resign. Wool, see Presentable. Woop, Joel Spate, see Respite. Wopley, Jex, see Funeral. Wordsworth, see Infancy. Workman, see Saw. Worm, grave, see Apothecary; Body-snatcher. Worm, see Edible; Geology. Page 299 Wormley, Jorrick, see Understanding. ] Worms'-meat, n. The finished product of which we are the raw material. The contents of the Taj Mahal, the Tombeau Napolean and the Grantarium. Worms'-meat is usually out- lasted by the structure that houses it, but "this too must pass away." Probably the silliest work in which a human can engage is construction of a tomb for himself. The solemn cannot dignify, but only accentuates by contrast the forek- nown futility. Ambitious fool! so mad to be a show! How profitless the labor you bestow Upon a dwelling whose magnificence The tenant neither can admire nor know. Build deep, build high, build massive as you can, The wanton grass-roots will defeat the plan By shouldering asunder all the stones In what to you would be a moment's span. Time to the dead so all unreckoned flies That when your marble is dust, arise, If waken, stretch your limbs and yawn -- You'll think you scarcely can have closed your eyes. What thought of all men's works your tomb alone Should stand till Time himself be overthrown? Would it advantage you to dwell therein Forever as a stain upon a stone? Joel Huck [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] Worship, n. Homo Creator's testimony to the sound construc- tion and fine finish of Dues Creates. A popular form of ab- jection, having an element of pride. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Worshipers at the Electroplated Shrine, see Regalia. Wotherspoon, General H. H., see Story. Wottel, Marley, see Helpmate. ] Wrath, n. Anger of a superior quality and degree, appropriate to exalted characters and momentous occasions; as, "the wrath of God," "the day of wrath." etc. Amongst the ancients the wrath of kings was deemed sacred, for it could usually command the agency of some god for its fit manifestation, as could also that of a priest. The Greeks before Troy were so harried by Apollo that they jumped out of the frying-pan of the wrath of Choruses into the fire of the wrath of Achilles, though Agamemnon, the sole offender, was neither fried nor roasted. A similar noted immunity was Page 300 that of David when he incurred the wrath of Yahveh by num- bering his people, seventy thousand of whom paid the penalty with their lives. God is now Love, and a director of the census performs his work without apprehension of disaster. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Wren, see Insectivora. Writer, see Plow; Reporter; Scribbler; Spooker. Writing, see Fly-Speck; Goose; Luminary; Proof-reader; Quill; Realism; Romance. Wrong, see Optimism. ] Page 301 -----X----- X in our alphabet being a needless letter has an added in- vincibility to the attacks of the spelling reformers, and like them, will last as long as the language. X is the sa- cred symbol of ten dollars, and in such words as Xmas, Xn, etc., stands for Christ, not, as is popularly supposed, be- cause it represents a cross, but because the corresponding letter in the Greek alphabet is the initial of His name -- Chi-rho-iota-sigma-tau-omicron-sigma. If it represented a cross it would stand for St. Andrew, who "testified" upon one of that shape. In the algebra of psychology x stands for Woman's mind. Words beginning with X are Grecian and will not be defined in this standard English dictionary. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S illus] [ Xanada, see War. Xanobus, see Zenith. Xelam, see Geographer. Xenophon, see Clio. ] Page 302 -----Y----- [ Yahveh, see Wrath. ] Yankee, n. In Europe, an American. In the Northern States of our Union, a New Englander. In the Southern States the word is unknown. (See Damyank.) [Ci;D;P;S] Year, n. A period of three hundred and sixty-five disap- pointments. [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S illus] [ Yellow Dog, see Regalia. ] Yesterday, n. The infancy of youth, the youth of manhood, the entire past of age. But yesterday I should have thought me blest To stand high-pinnacled upon the peak Of middle life and look adown the bleak And unfamiliar foreslope to the West, Where solemn shadows all the land invest And stilly voices, half-remembered, speak Unfinished prophecy, and witch-fires freak The haunted twilight of the Dark of Rest. Yea, yesterday my soul was all aflame To stay the shadow on the dial's face At manhood's noonmark! Now, in God his Name I chide aloud the little interspace Disparting me from Certitude, and fain Would know the dream and vision ne'er again. Barauch Arnegriff It is said that in his last illness the poet Arnegriff was attended at different times by seven doctors. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Yoke, n. An implement, madam, to whose Latin name, jugum, we owe one of the most illuminating words in our language -- a word that defines the matrimonial situation with preci- sion, point and poignancy. A thousand apologies for withholding it. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Page 303 Yope, John Williams, see Smithareen. ] Youth, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following and seven cities com- pete for the honor of endowing a living Homer. Youth is the true Saturnian Reign, the Golden Age on earth again, when figs are grown on thistles, and pigs betailed with whistles and wearing silken bristled, live ever in clover, and cows fly over, deliver- ing milk at every door, and Justice is never heard to snore, and every assassin is made a ghost, and, howling, is cast into Baltimost! -- Polydore Smith. [Ci;Cr;D;S] [ Youth, see Enthusiasm; Yesterday; Zeal. ] Page 304 -----Z----- [ Zam (River), see Geographer. ] Zany, n. A popular character in old Italian plays, who imi- tated with ludicrous incompetence the buffone, or clown, and was therefore the ape of an ape; for the clown himself imi- tated the serious nature of the play. The zany was progeni- tor to the specialist in humor, as we to-day have the unhappiness to know him. In the zany we see an example of creation; in the humorist, of transmission. Another excel- lent specimen of the modern zany is the curate, who apes the rector, who apes the bishop, who apes the archbishop, who apes the devil. [Cr;D;P;S] Zanzibari, n. An inhabitant of the Sultinate of Zanzibar, off the eastern coast of Africa. The Zanzibaris, a warlike people, are best known in this country through a threatening diplomatic incident that occurred a few years ago. The American consul at the capital occupied a dwelling that faced the sea,with a sandy beach between. Greatly to the scandal of this official's family, and against repeated remonstrances of the official himself, the people of the city persisted in using the beach for bathing. One day a woman came down to the edge of the water and was stooping to remove her attire (a pair of sandals) when the consul, in- censed beyond restraint, fired a charge of bird-shot into the most conspicuous part of her person. Unfortunately for the existing entente cordiale between two great nations, she was the Sultana. [Ci;Cr;D;S] Zeal, n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. A passion that goeth before a sprawl. When Zeal sought Gratitude for his reward He went away exclaiming: "O my Lord!" "What do you want?" the Lord asked. bending down. "An ointment for my cracked and bleeding crown." Jum Coople [Ci;Cr illus;D;P;S] Zenith, n. A point in the heavens directly overhead a standing man or a growing cabbage. A man in bed or a cab- bage in the pot is not considered as having a zenith, though from this view of the matter there was once a considerable dissent among the learned, some holding that the position of Page 305 the body was immaterial. These were called the Horizontal- ists, their opponents, Verticalists. The Horizontalist heresy was finally extinguished by Xanobus, the philosopher-king of Abara, a zealous Verticalist. Entering an assembly of philosophers who were debating the matter, he cast a severed human head at the feet of his opponents and asked them to determine its zenith, explaining that the body was hanging by its heels outside. Observing that it was the head of their leader, the Horizontalists hastened to profess themselves converted to whatever opinion the Crown might be pleased to hold, and Horizontalism took its place among fides defuncti. [Ci;Cr;D;S illus] [ Zeno, see Callous. ] Zeus, n. The chief of Grecian gods, adored by the Romans as Jupiter and by the modern Americans as God, Gold, Mob and Dog. Some explorers who have touched upon the shores of America, and one who professes to have penetrated a con- siderable distance into the interior, have thought that these four names stand for as many distinct deities, but in his monumental work on Surviving Faiths, Frumpp insists that the native are monotheists, each having no other god than himself, whom he worships under many sacred names. [Ci;Cr;D;P;S] [ Zeus, see Olympian. ] Zigzag, v.t. To move forward uncertainly, from side to side, as one carrying the white man's burden. (From zed, z, and jag, an Icelandic word of unknown meaning.) He zedjagged so uncomen wyde Thet non coude pas on eyder syde; So, to com saufly thruh, I been Constreynet for to doodge betweene. Munwele [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] Zoology, n. The science and history of the animal kingdom, including its king, the House Fly (Musca maledicta.) The fa- ther of Zoology was Aristotle, as is universally conceded, but the name of its mother has not come down to us. Two of the science's most illustrious expounders were Buffon and Oliver Goldsmith, from whom we learn (L'Histoire generale des animaux and A History of Animated Nature) that the domestic cow sheds its horns every two years. [Ci;Cr illus;D;S] [ Zoroaster, see Freemasons. ] Page 306