Peggy. Dream-wife about whom cluster the imaginations of the bachelor over the fire of green wood.
“Smoke always goes before blaze, and doubt before decision.”—Ik. Marvel (Donald G. Mitchell), Reveries of a Bachelor (1850).
Pegler (Mrs.), mother of Josiah Boundderby, Esq., banker and mill-owner, called “The Bully of Humility.” The son allows the old woman £30 a year to keep out of sight.—C. Dickens. Hard Times (1854).
Peg Woffington, celebrated English actress, intriguante, but kind of heart. Sir Charles Vane is one of her lovers, but after the appearance of his simple-hearted wife upon the scene, the actress dismisses her admirer, and induces him to return to domestic life.—Charles Reade, Peg Woffington.
Pek´uah, the attendant of Princess Nekayah, of the “happy valley.” She accompanied the princess in her wanderings, but refused to enter the great pyramid, and, while the princess was exploring the chambers, was carried off by some Arabs. She was afterwards ransomed for 200 ounces of gold.—Dr. Johnson, Rasselas (1759).
Pelay´o (Prince), son of Favil´a, founder of the Spanish monarchy after the overthrow of Roderick, last of the Gothic kings. He united, in his own person, the royal lines of Spain and of the Goths.
In him the old Iberian blood,
Of royal and remotest ancestry
From undisputed source, flowed undefiled ...
He, too, of Chindasuintho’s regal line
Sole remnant now, drew after him the love
Of all true Goths.
Southey, Roderick, etc., viii. (1814).
Pelham, the hero of a novel by Lord Lytton, entitled Pelham, or The Adventures of a Gentleman (1828).
Pelham (M.), one of the many aliases of Sir R. Phillips, under which he published The Parent’s and Tutor’s First Catechism. In the preface he calls the writer authoress. Some of his other names are Rev. David Blair, Rev. C. C. Clarke, Rev. J. Goldsmith.
Pel´ian Spear (The), the lance of Achillês which wounded and cured Te´lephos. So called from Peleus, the father of Achillês.