BUCKINGHAM (George Villiers, duke of).  There were two dukes of this name, father and son, both notorious for their profligacy and political unscrupulousness.  The first (1592-1628) was the favorite of James I., nicknamed “Steenie” by that monarch from his personal beauty, “Steenie” being a pet corruption of Stephen, whose face at martyrdom was “as the face of an angel.”  He was assassinated by Fenton.  Sir Walter Scott introduces him in The Fortunes of Nigel, and his son in Peveril of the Peak.  The son (1627-1688) also appears under the name of “Zimri” (q.v.) in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel.  He was the author of The Rehearsal, a drama upon which Sheridan founded his Critic, and of other works, but is principally remembered as the profligate favorite of Charles II.  He was a member of the famous “CABAL” (q.v.), and closed a career of great splendor and wickedness in the most abject poverty.

Buckingham (Henry de Stafford, duke of) was a favorite of Richard III. and a participator in his crimes, but revolted against him, and was beheaded in 1483.  This is the duke that Sackville met in the realms of Pluto, and whose “complaynt” is given in the prologue to A Mirrour for Magistraytes (1587).  He also appears in Shakespeare’s Richard III. His son in Henry VIII.

Buckingham (Mary duchess of), introduced by sir W. Scott in Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).

BUCKLAW (The laird of), afterwards laird of Girnington.  His name was Frank Hayston.  Lucy Ashton plights her troth to Edgar master of Ravenswood, and they exchange love-tokens at the Mermaid’s Fountain; but her father, sir William Ashton, from pecuniary views, promises her in marriage to the laird of Bucklaw, and as she signs the articles Edgar suddenly appears at the castle.  They return to each other their love-tokens, and Lucy is married to the laird; but on the wedding night the bridegroom is found dangerously wounded in the bridal chamber, and the bride hidden in the chimney-corner insane.  Lucy dies in convulsions, but Bucklaw recovers and goes abroad.—­Sir W. Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor (time, William III.).

BUCKTHORNE, a conspicuous figure in Tales of a Traveller, by Washington Irving.  He is gentleman student, dancing buffoon, lover, poet, and author by turns, and nothing long unless it be a royally good fellow (1824).

BUFFOON (The Pulpit).  Hugh Peters is so called by Dugdale (1599-1660).

BUG JARGAL, a negro, passionately in love with a white woman, but tempering the wildest passion with the deepest respect.—­Victor Hugo, Bug Jargal (a novel).