FICTION, AND THE DRAMA.
Skeggs (Miss Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia), the companion of “Lady Blarney.” These were two flash women, introduced by Squire Tuthill to the Primrose family, with a view of beguiling the two eldest daughters, who were both very beautiful. Sir William Thornhill thwarted their infamous purpose.--Goldsmith, Vicar of Wakefield (1766).
Skeleton (Sam), a smuggler.--Sir W. Scott, Redgauntlet (time, George III.).
Sketchley (Arthur), George Rose, author of Mrs. Brown (her observations on men and objects, politics and manners, etc.).
Skettles (Sir Barnet), of Fulham. He expressed his importance by an antique gold snuff-box and a silk handkerchief. His hobby was to extend his acquaintances, and to introduce people to each other. Skettles, junior, was a pupil of Dr. Blimber.--C. Dickens, Dombey and Son (1846).
Skevington’s Daughter, an instrument of torture invented by Skevington, lieutenant of the Tower, in the reign of Henry VIII. It consisted of a broad iron hoop, in two parts, jointed with a hinge. The victim was put into the hoop, which was then squeezed close and locked. Here he remained for about an hour and a half in the most inexpressible torture. (Generally corrupted into the “Scavenger’s Daughter.”)
Skewton (The Hon. Mrs.), mother of Edith (Mr. Dombey’s second wife). Having once been a beauty, she painted when old and shrivelled, became enthusiastic about the “charms of nature,” and reclined in her bath-chair in the attitude she assumed in her barouche when young and well off. A fashionable artist had painted her likeness in this attitude, and called his picture “Cleopatra.” The Hon. Mrs. Skewton was the sister of the late Lord Feenix, and aunt to the present lord.--C. Dickens, Dombey and Son (1846).
Skiffins (Miss), an angular, middle-aged woman, who wears “green kid gloves when dressed for company.” She marries Wemmick.--C. Dickens, Great Expectations (1860).
Skimpole (Harold), an amateur artist, always sponging on his friends. Under a plausible, light-hearted manner he was intensely selfish, but Mr. Jarndyce looked on him as a mere child, and believed in him implicitly.--C. Dickens, Bleak House (1852).