Dousterswivel (Herman), a German schemer, who obtains money under the promise of finding hidden wealth by a divining rod.—­Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, George III.).

The incident of looking for treasure in the church is copied from one which Lily mentions, who went with David Kamsay to search for hidden treasure in Westminster Abbey.—­See Old and New London, i. 129.

DOVE (Dr.), the hero of Southey’s novel called The Doctor (1834).

Dove (Sir Benjamin), of Cropley Castle, Cornwall.  A little, peaking, puling creature, desperately hen-pecked by a second wife; but madam overshot the mark, and the knight was roused to assert and maintain the mastery.

That very clever actor Cherry (1769-1812), appeared in “Sir Benjamin Dove,” and showed himself a master of his profession.—­Boaden.

Lady Dove, twice married, first to Mr. Searcher, king’s messenger, and next to Sir Benjamin Dove.  She had a tendresse for Mr. Paterson.  Lady Dove was a terrible termagant, and when scolding failed used to lament for “poor dear dead Searcher, who—­, etc., etc.”  She pulled her bow somewhat too tight, and Sir Benjamin asserted his independence.

Sophia Dove, daughter of Sir Benjamin.  She loved Robert Belfield, but was engaged to marry the elder brother Andrew.  When, however, the wedding day arrived, Andrew was found to be a married man, and the younger brother became the bridegroom.—­R.  Cumberland, The Brothers (1769).

DOWLAS (Daniel), a chandler of Gosport, who trades in “coals, cloth, herrings, linen, candles, eggs, sugar, treacle, tea, and brickdust.”  This vulgar and illiterate petty shopkeeper is raised to the peerage under the title of “The Right Hon. Daniel Dowlas, Baron Duberly.”  But scarcely has he entered on his honors, when the “heir-at-law,” supposed to have been lost at sea, makes his appearance in the person of Henry Morland.  The “heir” settles on Daniel Dowlas an annuity.

Deborah Dowlas, wife of Daniel, and for a short time Lady Duberly.  She assumes quite the airs and ton of gentility, and tells her husband “as he is a pear, he ought to behave as sich.”

Dick Dowlas, the son, apprenticed to an attorney at Castleton.  A wild young scamp, who can “shoot wild ducks, fling a bar, play at cricket, make punch, catch gudgeons, and dance.”  His mother says “he is the sweetest-tempered youth when he has everything his own way.”  Dick Dowlas falls in love with Cicely Homespun, and marries her.—­G.  Colman, Heir-at-law (1797).

Miss Pope asked me about the dress.  I answered.  “It should be black bombazeen ...”  I proved to her that not only “Deborah Dowlas,” but all the rest of the dramatis personae ought to be in mourning ...  The three “Dowlases” as relatives of the deceased Lord Duberly; “Henry Morland” as the heir-at-law; “Dr. Pangloss” as a clergyman, “Caroline Dormer” for the loss of her father, and “Kenrick” as a servant of the Dormer family.—­James Smith.