Leporello, the valet of Don Giovanni.—Mozart, Don Giovanni (an opera, 1787).
Lermites and Martafax, two rats that conspired against the White Cat.—Comtesse D’Aunoy, Fairy Tales (“The White Cat” 1682).
Lesbia, the poetic name given by the poet Catullus to his mistress, Clodia.
Lesbia’s Sparrow. One of the best known of the poems of Catullus is the one called Lesbia’s Sparrow, in which the girl so prettily laments the loss of her favorite bird. It has been often translated.
Lesbian Poets (The), Terpander, Alcæus, Ari´on, and the poetess Sappho.
Lesbian Rule, squaring the rule from the act, and not the act from the rule; like correcting a sun-dial by a clock, and not the clock by the sun-dial. A specious excuse for doing, or not doing, as inclination dictates.
Lesley (Captain), a friend of Captain M’Intyre.—Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, George III.).
Leslie (General), a parliamentary leader.—Sir W. Scott, Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).
Leslie (Hope). Heroine of a novel of colonial life, the scene of which is laid in Agawam (Springfield), Mass.—Catherine Maria Sedgwick, Hope Leslie (1827).
Leslie (Norman). Hero of a novel of New York life, early in the nineteenth century. He is wrongfully accused of a murder, and although the charge is not proved, rests under the ban with the public for years, until the real criminal is brought to light.—Theodore S. Fay, Norman Leslie (1835).