“In thundering tones” the parson was confessing himself a “plum fool from whom the conceit had been jolted out, and who had been made to see that even his nigger had the longest head of the two.”

COL’THRED (Benjamin) or “Little Benjie,” a spy employed by Nixon (Edward Redgauntlet’s agent).—­Sir.  W. Scott, Redgauntlet (time, George III.)

COLUMB (St.) or St. Columba, was of the family of the kings of Ulster; and with twelve followers founded amongst the Picts and Scots 300 Christian establishments of presbyterian character; that in Iona was founded 563.

  The Pictish men by St. Columb taught.

Campbell, Rewllura.

COLUMBUS (Christopher), Genoese navigator who was fitted out by Ferdinand and Isabella for a voyage of discovery resulting in the sight of the New World (1492).  His ships were the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Nina, all small.—­Washington Irving, Life of Columbus.

COLYN CLOUT (The Boke of), a rhyming six-syllable tirade against the clergy, by John Skelton, poet-laureate (1460-1529).

COMAL AND GALBI’NA.  Comal was the son of Albion, “chief of a hundred hills.”  He loved Galbi’na (daughter of Conlech), who was beloved by Grumal also.  One day; tired out by the chase, Comal and Galbina rested in the cave of Roman; but ere long a deer appeared, and Comal went forth to shoot it.  During his absence, Galbina dressed herself in armor “to try his love,” and “strode from the cave.”  Comal thought it was Grumal, let fly an arrow, and she fell.  The chief too late discovered his mistake, rushed to battle, and was slain.—­Ossian, Fingal, ii.

COM’ALA, daughter of Sarno, king of Inistore (the Orkneys).  She fell in love with Fingal at a feast to which Sarno had invited him after his return from Denmark or Lochlin (Fingal, iii.).  Disguised as a youth, Comala followed him, and begged to be employed in his wars; but was detected by Hidallan, son of Lamor, whose love she had slighted.  Fingal was about to marry her when he was called to oppose Caracul, who had invaded Caledonia.  Comala witnessed the battle from a hill, thought she saw Fingal slain, and though he returned victorious, the shock on her nerves was so great that she died.—­Ossian, Comala.

COMAN’CHES (3 syl.), an Indian tribe of the Texas. (See CAMANCHES.)

COMB (Reynard’s Wonderful), said to be made of Pan’thera’s bone, the perfume of which was so fragrant that no one could resist following it; and the wearer of the comb was always of a merry heart.  This comb existed only in the brain of Master Fox.—­Reynard the Fox, xii. (1498).

CO’ME (St.), (see Cosme,) a physician, and patron saint of medical practitioners.

“By St. Come!” said the surgeon, “here’s a pretty adventure.”—­Lesage, (Gil Blas, vii. 1 1735).