on," was famous for his abilities and his
libertinism, also for the mystery attached to his death, of which it
was alleged he was warned in a dream three days before the event.

COMBE, or COOMB, a term particularly in use in south-western England for
a short closed-in valley, either on the side of a down or running up
from the sea. It appears in place-names as a termination, e.g.
Wiveliscombe, Ilfracombe, and as a prefix, e.g. Combemartin. The
etymology of the word is obscure, but "hollow" seems a common meaning to
similar forms in many languages. In English "combe" or "cumb" is an
obsolete word for a "hollow vessel," and the like meaning attached to
Teutonic forms _kumm_ and _kumme_. The Welsh _cwm_, in place-names,
means hollow or valley, with which may be compared _cum_ in many Scots
place-names. The Greek [Greek: kumbe] also means a hollow vessel, and
there is a French dialect word _combe_ meaning a little valley.

COMBERMERE, STAPLETON COTTON, 1ST VISCOUNT (1773-1865), British
field-marshal and colonel of the 1st Life Guards, was the second son of
Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton of Combermere Abbey, Cheshire, and was born
on the 14th of November 1773, at Llewenny Hall in Denbighshire. He was
educated at Westminster School, and when only sixteen obtained a second
lieutenancy in the 23rd regiment (Royal Welsh Fusiliers). A few years
afterwards (1793) he became by purchase captain in the 6th Dragoon
Guards, and he served in this regiment during the campaigns of the duke
of York in Flanders. While yet in his twentieth year, he joined the 25th
Light Dragoons (subsequently 22nd) as lieutenant-colonel, and, while in
attendance with his regiment on George III. at Weymouth, he became a
great favourite of the king. In 1796 he went with his regiment to India,
taking part _en route_ in the operations in Cape Colony (July-August
1796), and in 1799 served in the war with Tippoo Sahib, and at the
storming of Seringapatam. Soon after this, having become heir to the
family baronetcy, he was, at his father's desire, exchanged into a
regiment at home, the 16th Light Dragoons. He was stationed in Ireland
during Emmett's insurrection, became colonel in 1800, and major-general
five years later. From 1806 to 1814 he was M.P. for Newark. In 1808 he
was sent to the seat of war in Portugal, where he shortly rose to the
position of commander of Wellington's cavalry, and it was here that he
most displayed that courage and judg