The basis of Law’s project was the idea that paper money may be multiplied to any extent, provided there be security in fixed stock.—Rich.
Paphian Mimp, a certain plie of the lips, considered needful for “the highly genteel.” Lady Emily told Miss Alscrip, “the heiress,” that it was acquired by placing one’s self before a looking-glass, and repeating continually the words “nimini pimini;” “when the lips cannot fail to take the right plie.”—General Burgoyne, The Heiress, iii. 2 (1781).
(C. Dickens has made Mrs. General tell Amy Dorrit that the pretty plie is given to the lips by pronouncing the words “papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism.”)
Papillon, a broken-down critic, who earned four shillings a week for reviews of translations “without knowing one syllable of the original,” and of “books which he had never read.” He then turned French valet, and got well paid. He then fell into the service of Jack Wilding, and was valet, French marquis, or anything else to suit the whims of that young scapegrace.—S. Foote, The Liar (1761).
Papy´ra, goddess of printing and literature; so called from papyrus, a substance once used for books, before the invention of paper.
Till to astonished realms Papyra taught
To paint in mystic colors sound and thought.
With Wisdom’s voice to print the page sublime,
And mark in adamant the steps of Time.
Darwin, Loves of the Plants, ii. (1781).
Paracelsus is said to have kept a small devil prisoner in the pommel of his sword. He favored metallic substances for medicines, while Galen preferred herbs. His full name was Philippus Aure´olus Theophrastus Paracelsus, but his family name was Bombastus (1493-1541).
Paracelsus, at the age of 20, thinks knowledge the summum bonum, and, at the advice of his two friends, Festus and Michal, retires to a seat of learning in quest thereof. Eight years later, being dissatisfied, he falls in with Aprile, an Italian poet, and resolves to seek the summum bonum in love. Again he fails, and finally determines “to know and to enjoy.”—R. Browning, Paracelsus.
Par´adine (3 syl.), son of Astolpho, and brother of Dargonet, both rivals for the love of Laura. In the combat provoked by Prince Oswald against Gondibert, which was decided by four combatants on each side, Hugo “the Little” slew both the brothers.—Sir. Wm. Davenant, Gondibert, i. (died 1668).
Paradisa´ica (“the fruit of paradise”). So the banana is called. The Mohammedans aver that the “forbidden fruit” was the banana or Indian fig, and cite in confirmation of this opinion that our first parents used fig leaves for their covering after their fall.