E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Angel.
Half a sovereign in gold; so called because, at one time, it bore the figure of the archangel Michael slaying the dragon.
1
When the Rev. Mr. Patten, vicar of Whitstable, was dying, the Archbishop of Canterbury sent him £10. The wit said, “Tell his Grace that now I am sure he is a man of God, for I have seen his angels.”
2
Angel (a public-house sign), in compliment to Richard II., who placed an angel above his shield, holding it up in his hands.
3
To write like an angel (French). The angel referred to was Angelo Vergece [Vergezio], a Cretan of the sixteenth century. He was employed both by Henri II. and by François I., and was noted for his caligraphy. (Didot: Nouvelle Biographie Universelle [1852–66]).
4
Angel of the Schools. St. Thomas Aqunas. (See ANGELIC DOCTOR.)
5
Angels, say the Arabs, were created from pure, bright gems; the genii, of fire; and man, of clay.
6
Angels, according to Dionysius the Areop’agite, were divided into nine orders:—
7
(i) Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, in the first circle.
(ii) Dominions, Virtues, and Powers, in the second circle.
(iii) Principalities, Archangels, and Angels, in the third circle.
St. Gregory the Great: Homily 34.
“In heaven above,
The effulgent bands in triple circles move.”
Tasso: Jerusalem Delivered, xi. 13.
Angels. The seven holy angels are—Abdiel, Gabriel, Michael, Raguel, Raphael, Simiel, and Uriel. Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in the Bible, Raphael in the Apocrypha.
8
Milton (Paradise Lost, book i., from 392) gives a list of the fallen angels.
When the Rev. Mr. Patten, vicar of Whitstable, was dying, the Archbishop of Canterbury sent him £10. The wit said, “Tell his Grace that now I am sure he is a man of God, for I have seen his angels.”
nas. (See A
