E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
“Some say compared to Bononcini
That mynheer Handel’s but a ninny;
Others aver that he to Handel
Is scarcely fit to hold a candle.
Strange all this difference should be
’Twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee.”
J. Byrom.
This refers to the feud between the Bononcinists and Handelists. The Duke of Marlborough and most of the nobility took Bononcini by the hand; but the Prince of Wales, with Pope and Arbuthnot, was for Handel. (See GLUCKISTS.)
