As when the evil Manitou that dries
Th’ Ohio woods, consumes them in his ire.
Campbell, Gertrude of Wyoming, i. 17 (1809).
Manlius, surnamed Torquātus, the Roman consul. In the Latin war, he gave orders that no Roman, on pain of death, should engage in single combat. One of the Latins having provoked young Manlius by repeated insults, he slew him; but when the young man took the spoils to his father, Manlius ordered him to be put to death for violating the commands of his superior officer.—Roman Story.
Man´lius Capitoli´nus, consul of Rome, B.C. 392, then military tribune. After the battle of Allia (390), seeing Rome in the power of the Gauls, he threw himself into the capitol with 1000 men, surprised the Gauls, and put them to the sword. It was for this achievement he was called Capitolinus. Subsequently he was charged with aiming at sovereignty, and was hurled to death from the Tarpeian Rock.
⁂ Lafosse (1698) has a tragedy called Manlius Capitolinus, and “Manlius” was one of the favorite characters of Talma, the French actor. Lafosse’s drama is an imitation of Otway’s tragedy of Venice Preserved (1682).
Manly, the lover of Lady Grace Townly, sister-in-law of Lord Townly. Manly is the cousin of Sir Francis Wronghead, whom he saves from utter ruin. He is noble, judicious, upright, and sets all things right that are going wrong.—Vanbrugh and Cibber, The Provoked Husband (1728).
The address and manner of Dennis Delane [1700-1753] were easy and polite; and he excelled in the well-bred man, such as “Manly.”—T. Davies.
Manly, “the plain dealer.” An honest, surly sea-captain, who thinks every one a rascal, and believes himself no better. Manly forms a good contrast to Olivia, who is a consummate hypocrite of most unblushing effrontery.
“Counterfeit honors,” says Manly, “will not be current with me. I weigh the man, not his titles. ’Tis not the king’s stamp can make the metal better or heavier.”—Wycherly, The Plain Dealer[Dealer] i. 1 (1677).