Dame Raine, old Roger’s widow; afterwards Dame Chamberlain.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).
Rainy-Day Smith, John Thomas Smith, the antiquary (1766-1833).
Rajah of Mattan (Borneo), has a diamond which weighs 367 carats. The largest cut diamond in the world. It is considered to be a palladium. (See Diamonds.)
Rake (Lord), a nobleman of the old school, fond of debauch, street rows, knocking down Charlies, and seeing his guests drunk. His chief boon companions are Sir John Brute and Colonel Bully.—Vanbrugh, The Provoked Wife (1697).
Rakeland (Lord), a libertine, who makes love to married women, but takes care to keep himself free from the bonds of matrimony.—Mrs. Inchbald, The Wedding Day (1790).
Rak´she (2 syl.), a monster, which lived on serpents and dragons.
Raleigh (Sir Walter), introduced by Sir W. Scott in Kenilworth. The tradition of Sir Walter laying down his cloak on a miry spot for the queen to step on, and the queen commanding him to wear the “muddy cloak till her pleasure should be further known,” is mentioned in ch. xv. (1821).
Raleigh (Sir Walter). Jealous of the earl of Essex, he plots with Lord Burleigh to compass his death.—Henry Jones, The Earl of Essex (1745).
Ralph, abbot of St. Augustine’s, expended £43,000 on the repast given at his installation.
It was no unusual thing for powerful barons to provide 30,000 dishes at a wedding breakfast. The coronation dinner of Edward III., cost £40,000, equal to half a million of money now. The duke of Clarence, at his marriage, entertained 1000 guests, and furnished his table with 36 courses. Archbishop Neville had 1000 egrettes served at one banquet, and the whole species seems to have been extirpated.