In the older pantomimes, Columbine was a female mask with whom Harlequin was in love; their marriage formed the denouement. In later pantomime Columbine formed the chief female dancer in the harlequinade. Research Columbine
Punchinello is an older form of the name 'Punch' in the Punch and Judy show. Punchinello as a character appears in the Italian 'Comedia dell'Arte' about the beginning of the 17th century, and originated in the neighbourhood of Naples. Traditionally represented with a black mask and a hooked nose, Punchinello is a boastful clown, the hero of ridiculous and rascally exploits, and a character not devoid of wits. The character of Punchinello was transferred to the puppet show, and the French adapted the character as a dwarfish, hunch-back who was the mouth-piece of much raillery and satire. The English Punch character resembles the French puppet version of Punchinello. Research Punchinello
Silk screening is a method of printing repeated motifs using a frame over which a piece of silk fabric is tightly stretched. Over the silk is laid a masking sheet, often of shellac coated paper, into which the design has been cut. The masking sheet is pressed firmly against the silk and printing may then be carried out by drawing a rubber squeegee across the screen, the ink or paint passing through the cut out parts of the mask through the silk onto the material below. Research Silk Screening
The Siamese is a breed of short-haired cat known for its colouration, intelligence and svelte elegance. The coat is thick and glossy, with points on the mask, ears, feet, and tail which can be seal, chocolate, blue, or lilac coloured. The ears are large and pointed, the tail is long and thin and the eyes are sapphire blue. The Siamese has the loudest meow of all cat breeds. The breed originates from Asia and first appeared in Britain in the 1870s when the King of Siam gave a gift of two Siamese cats to Owen Gould, the English consul general in Bangkok, to take back to London. Research Siamese
Henry Vizetelly was an English writer. He was born in 1820 and died in 1894. He pioneered the illustrated press, starting the Pictorial Times in 1843, the Illustrated Times in 1855 and was Paris correspondent of the Illustrated London News in 1865. He wrote the novel The Man With The Iron Mask in 1870. Research Henry Vizetelly
Lucius Junius Brutus was ancient Roman hero. The son of Marcus Junius by the daughter of the elder Tarquin. He saved his life from the persecutions of Tarquin the Proud by feigning himself insane, whence his name Brutus (stupid). On the suicide of Lucretia however, he threw off the mask, and headed the revolt against the Tarquins. Having secured their banishment, he proposed to abolish the regal dignity and introduce a free government, with the result that he was elected to the consulship, in which capacity he condemned his own sons to death for conspiring to restore the monarchy. He fell in battle 509 BC. Research Lucius Junius Brutus
Marie Marguerite D'aubray, Marchioness of Brinvilliers, was a French murderer. She was born about 1630 and died in 1676. She was married in 1651 to the Marquis of Brinvilliers, but after some seven or eight years of married life a young cavalry officer named Sainte-Croix inspired her with a violent passion, and being instructed by him in the art of preparing poisons, she poisoned in succession her father, her two brothers, and her sisters, chiefly, it is thought, in order to procure the means for living extravagantly with her paramour. The sudden death of Sainte-Croix, caused, it is said, by the falling off of a glassmask which he used to protect himself in preparing poisons, led to the discovery of letters incriminating Madame de Brinvilliers. She fled to England, and finally to Liege, where she was captured, conveyed to Paris, condemned to death and executed. Research Marie Marguerite D'aubray
Melpomene was the muse of tragedy. She was the daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. She was represented as veiled, and holding in her hand a tragic mask. her instrument was the lyre. She mated with Achelous and gave birth to the Sirens. Research Melpomene
In Greek mythology, Thalia was the muse of comedy and burlesque. She was believed by some to also preside over husbandry and planting. She is represented leaning against a column holding a mask in her right hand. Research Thalia
Encephalitis Lethargica or sleepy sickness is a disease of comparatively late recognition. It has been known in Europe, America and Great Britain since about 1916. The virus is unknown, but the disease is characteristic, causing fever, lethargy and paralysis of the eyemuscles with double vision. Infection probably takes place through the mouth and nose. Various non-typical forms of the disease also occur. The onset is often gradual and insidious, but sometimes acute delirium may be the first symptom. The condition often resembles influenza in the early stages, and hiccough is a common symptom. In severe cases mania or delirium is seen, or lethargy and coma; muscular pains, rigidity of the limbs, or convulsions may develop. Later, in cases which recover, tremors and purposeless movements may indicate the true condition and the patient's face becomes mask-like and expressionless ('Parkinsonism'). A drooping posture and the shuffling gait are characteristic, The diagnosis is often difficult; about 33 per cent. of cases are fatal. Complete
recovery is rare, most cases ending in chronic invalidism, and the disease often runs on for many months. There is no specific treatment. Isolation and careful nursing are essential. Hyoscine, Artane and Benadryl relieve tremors, and stiffness ollimbs. Research Encephalitis Lethargica
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Columbine
