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Chapter 16
Baby Worship

Object of idolatry
By referring to Eleanor's baby as an object of her idolatry, Trollope compares him to a "pagan" (i.e. classical) god.  [JC]

Fields of asphodel
Trollope compares the company of Eleanor and Signora Neroni, making it quite obvious that Eleanor's company is the more pleasurable.  Madeline's company is "like falling into a pit," while being with Eleanor is like a visit through the pleasant fields of asphodel found in the underworld (Odyssey 24.13).  [JC]

Mrs. Quiverful, supplicant
". . .[Mrs. Quiverful] had all but embraced the knees of her patroness and had promised that the prayers of fourteen unprovided babes . . . should be put up to heaven . . ."  The image of a supplicant embracing the knees of the patron is a very classical one.  Compare Thetis' supplication of Zeus in Book 1 of Homer's Iliad (lines 596-599).  [JC]

Rome was not built in a day
Though this is a common saying, it clearly recalls the long history of the rise of ancient Rome.  [JC]

Chapter 17
Who shall be Cock of the Walk?

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Chapter 18
The Widow's Persecution

Magnanimity
Comes from the Latin word magnanimitas, "greatness of soul."  Although this word in English now describes a person's great compassion or generosity, Trollope uses its more literal meaning to describe the great-spirited Mrs. Proudie.  It is cited by the OED as having occurred in English as early as 1340.  [MD & RR]

Chapter 19
Barchester by Moonlight

Stoics
Trollope describes the Stanhope's reaction to unhappy times.  They seem almost unphased by any tragedy or loss.  He says of their stoicism "if not stoical, (it) answered the end at which the stoics aimed."  Stoicism was a Greco-Roman philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno.  It was popular from 300 BC to 300 CE.  Stoic ethics discouraged attachment to material things and displays of emotion.  Stoics were not supposed to react out of anger or passion but were expected to act in accordance with reason.  Although Trollope does not consider the Stanhopes to be true stoics he calls upon the classical stoics for a characterization of the Stanhope family.  When adverse circumstances strike, the Stanhope family does not act as though anything has happened at all.  Instead they continue as before.  However, unlike the ancient Stoics, they are definitely worldly. 
Encarta Encyclopedia 2006
OCD  [TH]

The chaste goddess
This reference is likely referring to Artemis.  Selene was the Greek personification of the moon.  Although she was certainly not chaste, some classical authors did often confuse her with the virgin goddess Artemis who came at times to personify the moon as well.  It is likely that Trollope is making the same link in describing the moon as a chaste goddess.  Charlotte is thinking that the chaste moon will doubtlessly (if somewhat ironically) aid her cause by sparking romance between Ethelbert and Eleanor.  Charlotte is hoping that a moonlight stroll will bring the two closer together.
Cassell's Dictionary of Classical Mythology  [TH & RR]

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