BLANDMOUR (Sir), a man of “mickle might,” who “bore great sway in arms and chivalry,” but was both vainglorious and insolent.  He attacked Britomart, but was discomfited by her enchanted spear; he next attacked sir Ferraugh, and having overcome him took him from the lady who accompanied him, “the False Florimel.”—­Spenser, Faery Queen, iv. 1 (1596).

BLANDEVILLE (Lady Emily), a neighbor of the Waverley family, afterwards married to colonel Talbot.—­Sir W. Scott, Waverley (time, George II.).

BLANDFORD, the father of Belinda, who he promised sir William Bellmont should marry his son George.  But Belinda was in love with Beverley, and George Bellmont with Clarissa (Beverley’s sister).  Ultimately matters arranged themselves, so that the lovers married according to their inclinations.—­A.  Murphy, All in the Wrong (1761).

BLANDIMAN, the faithful man-servant of the fair Bellisant, and her attendant after her divorce.—­Valentine and Orson.

BLANDINA, wife of the churlish knight Turpin, who refused hospitality to sir Calepine and his lady Serena (canto 3).  She had “the art of a suasive tongue,” and most engaging manners, but “her words were only words, and all her tears were water” (canto 7).—­Spenser, Faery Queen, iv. (1596).

BLANDISH, a “practised parasite.”  His sister says to him, “May you find but half your own vanity in those you have to work on!” (act i. 1).

Miss Letitia Blandish, sister of the above, a fawning timeserver, who sponges on the wealthy.  She especially toadies to Miss Alscrip “the heiress,” flattering her vanity, fostering her conceit, and encouraging her vulgar affectations.—­General Burgoyne, The Heiress (1781).

BLANE (Niell), town piper and publican.

Jenny Blane, his daughter.—­Sir W, Scott, Old Mortality (time, Charles II.).

BLANEY, a wealthy heir, ruined by dissipation.—­Crabbe, Borough.

BLARNEY (Lady), one of the flash women introduced by squire Thornhill to the Primrose family.—­Goldsmith, Vicar of Wakefield (1765).

BLASPHEMOUS BALFOUR.  Sir James Balfour, the Scottish judge, was so called from his apostacy (died 1583).

BLATANT BEAST (The), the personification of slander or public opinion.  The beast had 100 tongues and a sting.  Sir Artegal muzzled the monster, and dragged it to Faery-land, but it broke loose and regained its liberty.  Subsequently sir Calidore (3 syl.) went in quest of it.—­Spenser, Faery Queen, v. and vi. (1596).

[Illustration] “Mrs. Grundy” is the modern name of Spenser’s “Blatant Beast.”

BLATHERS AND DUFF, detectives who investigate the burglary in which Bill Sikes had a hand.  Blathers relates the tale of Conkey Chickweed, who robbed himself of 327 guineas.—­C.  Dickens, Oliver Twist (1837).

BLATTERGROWL (The Rev. Mr.), minister of Trotcosey, near Monkbarns.—­Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, Elizabeth).