rez_), the apocryphal name of Robert Southey.
The poet-laureate pretends that certain "letters from England,"
written by this Spaniard, were translated by him from the original
Spanish (three vols., 1807).

ESSEX (_The earl of_), a tragedy by Henry Jones (1745.) Lord Burleigh
and Sir Walter Raleigh entertained a mortal hatred of the earl of
Essex, and accused him to the queen of treason. Elizabeth disbelieved
the charge; but at this juncture the earl left Ireland, whither the
queen had sent him, and presented himself before her. She was very
angry, and struck him, and Essex rushed into open rebellion, was
taken, and condemned to death. The queen had given him a ring before
the trial, telling him whatever petition he asked should be granted,
if he sent to her this ring. When the time of execution drew nigh, the
queen sent the countess of Nottingham to the Tower, to ask Essex if he
had any plea to make. The earl entreated her to present the ring
to her majesty, and petition her to spare the life of his friend
Southampton. The countess purposely neglected this charge, and Essex
was executed. The queen, it is true, sent a reprieve, but Lord
Burleigh took care it should arrive too late. The poet says that Essex
had recently married the countess of Rutland, that both the queen and
the countess of Nottingham were jealous, and that this jealousy was
the chief cause of the earl's death.

The Abbe Boyer, La Calprenede, and Th. Corneille have tragedies on the
some subject.

_Essex_ (_The earl of_), lord high constable of England, introduced by
Sir W. Scott in his novel called _Ivanhoe_ (time, Richard I.).

ESTEL'LA, a haughty beauty, adopted by Miss Havisham. She was
affianced by her wish to Pip, but married Bentley Drummle.--C.
Dickens, _Great Expectations_ (1860).

ESTHER, housekeeper to Muhldenau, minister of Mariendorpt. She loves
Hans, a servant to the minister, but Hans is shy, and Esther has to
teach him how to woo and win her. Esther and Hans are similar to Helen
and Modus, only in lower social grade.--S. Knowles, _The Maid of
Mariendorpt_ (1838).

ESTHER HAWDON, better known through the tale as Esther Summerson,
natural daughter of Captain Hawdon and Lady Dedlock (before her
marriage with Sir Leicester Dedlock). Esther is a most lovable, gentle
creature, called by those who know and love her, "Dame Durden" or
"Dame Trot." She is the heroine of the tale, and a ward in Chancery.
Eventually she marries Allan Woodcour