Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 3: A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 3: A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook

Falkland, an aristocratic gentleman, of a noble, loving nature, but the victim of false honor and morbid refinement of feeling. Under great provocation, he was goaded on to commit murder, but being tried was honorably acquitted, and another person was executed for the crime. Caleb Williams, a lad in Falklands service, accidently became acquainted with these secret facts, but, unable to live in the house under the suspicious eyes of Falkland, he ran away. Falkland tracked him from place to place, like a blood-hound, and at length arrested him for robbery. The true statement now came out, and Falkland died of shame and broken spirit. - W. Godwin, Caleb Williams (1794).

This tale has been dramatized by G. Colman, under the title of The Iron Chest, in which Falkland is called Sir Edward Mortimer, and Caleb Williams is called "Wilford."

False One (The), a tragedy by Beaumont and Fletcher(1619). The subject is the amours of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.

Falsetto (Signor), a man who fawns on Fazio in prosperity, and turns his back on him when fallen into disgrace. - Dean Milman, Fazio (1815).

Falstaff (Sir John), in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and in the two parts of Henry IV., by Shakespeare. In Henry V., his death is described by Mrs. Quickly, hostess of an inn in Eastcheap. In the comedy. Sir John is represented as making love to Mrs. Page, who fools him to the top of his bent. In the historic plays,, he is represented as a soldier and a wit, the boon companion of Mad-cap Hal (the prince of Wales). In both eases, he is a mountain of fat, sensual, mendacious, boastful, and fond of practical Jokes.

In the king's army, "Sir John" was Captain, "Peto" Lieutenant, "Pistol" ancient ensign, and "Bardolph" Corporal.


C. R. Leslie says,: "Quin's Falstaff' must have been glorious.

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