Hastings, one of the court of King Edward IV.—Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Haswell, the benevolent physician who visited the Indian prisons, and for his moderation, benevolence, and judgment, received the sultan’s signet, which gave him unlimited power.—Mrs. Inchbald, Such Things Are (1786).
Hat (Gessler’s). The governor of the Swiss cantons in the reign of Albert I. set up his hat at Altorf, requiring the Swiss to salute it in passing. William Tell refused, and was sentenced to shoot an apple from the head of his son. Tell from this became prominent in achieving the liberties of Switzerland.
Hat (A White), used to be a mark of radical proclivities, because orator Hunt, the great demagogue, used to wear a white hat during the Wellington and Peel administration.
Hat worn in the Royal Presence. Lord Kingsdale acquired the right of wearing his hat in the presence of royalty by a grant from King John. Lord Forester is possessed of the same right, from a grant confirmed by Henry VIII.
Hats and Caps, two political factions of Sweden in the eighteenth century. The “Hats” were partisans in the French interest, and were so called because they wore French chapeaux. The “Caps” were partisans in the Russian interest, and were so called because they wore the Russian caps as a badge of their party.
Hatchway (Lieutenant Jack), a retired naval officer on half pay, living with Commodore Trunnion as a companion.—Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751).
Who can read the calamities of Trunnion and Hatchway, when run away with by their mettled steed ... without a good hearty burst of honest laughter.—Sir W. Scott.
Hatef (i.e. the deadly), one of Mahomet’s swords, confiscated from the Jews when they were exiled from Medi´na.
Hatim (Generous as), an Arabian expression. Hatim was a Bedouin chief, famous for his warlike deeds and boundless generosity. His son was contemporary with Mahomet the prophet.