1868. O. W. Holmes, Guardian Angel, ch. xxviii., p. 233 (Rose
Lib.). ‘Don’t trouble yourself about Kitty Fagan, for pity’s sake,
Mr. Bradshaw. The biddies are all alike, and they’re all as stupid
as owls, except when you tell ’em just what to do, and how to do
it. A pack of priest-ridden fools!’
1887. Cornhill Mag., May, p. 510. How he gave to one old biddy
‘five guineas to buy a jack,’ and to another substantial help
towards her boy’s schooling.