The driving is like the driving of Jehu, the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.—2 Kings ix. 20.
Jehu (Companions of). The “Chouans” were so called, from a fanciful analogy between their self-imposed task and that appointed to Jehu, on his being set over the kingdom of Israel. As Jehu was to cut off Ahab and Jezebel, with all their house; so the Chouans were to cut off Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette and all the Bourbons.
Jekyll (Doctor). He discovers the secret of transformation, by means of a potent elixir, into the embodiment of his worse nature. As Dr. Jekyll, he is beneficent and beloved. As Edward Hyde, he is a monster of vice and cruelty. Finally, the baser elements prevail, and he is forced to remain Hyde—a horror that drives him to madness and death.—Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Jel´licot (Old Goody), servant at the under-keeper’s hut, Woodstock Forest.—Sir W. Scott, Woodstock (time, Commonwealth).
Jel´lyby (Mrs.), a sham philanthropist, who spends her time, money, and energy on foreign missions, to the neglect of her family and home duties. Untidy in dress, living in a perfect litter, she has a habit of looking “a long way off,” as if she could see nothing nearer to her than Africa. Mrs. Jellyby is quite overwhelmed with business correspondence relative to the affairs of Borrioboola Gha.—C. Dickens Bleak House, iv. (1852).
Jemlikha, the favorite Greek slave of Dakiānos of Ephesus. Nature had endowed him with every charm, “his words were sweeter than the honey of Arabia, and his wit sparkled like a diamond.” One day, Dakianos was greatly annoyed by a fly, which persisted in tormenting the king, whereupon Jemlikha said to himself, “If Dakianos cannot rule a fly, how can he be the creator of heaven and earth?” This doubt he communicated to his fellow-slaves, and they all resolved to quit Ephesus, and seek some power superior to that of the arrogator of divine honors.—Comte Caylus, Oriental Tales (“Dakianos and the Seven Sleepers,” 1743).
Jemmie Duffs, weepers. (See Jamie Duffs).
Jemmy. This name, found on engravings of the eighteenth century, means James Worsdale (died 1767).
Jemmy Twitcher, a cunning and treacherous highwayman.—Gay, The Beggar’s Opera (1727).
⁂ Lord Sandwich, member of the Kit-Kat Club, was called “Jemmy Twitcher” (1765).