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Chapter 22
Sir Roger is Unseated

Halcyon years
The word "halcyon" comes from an ancient myth in which a woman named Alcyone, at the death of her husband Ceyx at sea, throws herself into the ocean out of grief, at which point the gods, taking pity on them both, change them into sea birds.  The sea bird which takes her name, the halcyon, nests on the shores, and Aeolus, the king of the winds, compassionately calms the winds during the birds' nesting periods, giving rise to the phrase "halcyon days."  The word halcyon itself has come to mean "calm" or "restful". 
For an ancient version of the story, See Ovid's Metamorphoses Book 11.
OED  [JM]

Quidnunc
Latin quid "what" + nunc "now".  Someone who is always asking, "What now?" and thus a newsmonger or gossip.  Used to describe Mr. Romer and his special skills.
OED  [JM]

The cup ravished from his lips
See commentary on Barchester Towers, Chapter 24.  The cup in this instance is Sir Roger's newly-won seat in the Parliament, so quickly snatched away from him. [JM]

Chapter 23
Retrospective

Godlike men and all but goddesslike women
Trollope speaks of love between young people and the contrast between how society ordains that women and men in love should behave.  In describing the virtuous aspect of a woman loving with her whole heart, Trollope says there is no reason why Mary should love less than Frank.  Trollope suggests that it is appropriate for a woman to love those aspects of a man that God created "godlike" so that women "all but goddesslike, might love."  Trollope uses the terms god and goddess to reflect the ideal forms of man and woman.  [TH]

Chapter 24
Louis Scatcherd

Aesculapius
This is an allusion to the ancient Greek figure of Aesculapius, who is believed to have been the son of Apollo and Coronis. When he was grown, Aesculapius was said to have acquired incredible healing powers and also the ability to raise humans from the dead; in order to prevent humanity's eventual attempt to circumvent death altogether, Zeus killed Aesculapius and placed him as a star in the sky.  Aesculapius came to be worshipped as the Greek god of healing and medicine.  He is used in this instance as a representation of the pinnacle of medical knowledge. Dr. Rerechild is said to have considered the opinions of his friend, Dr. Fillgrave, as "sure light from the lamp of Aesculapius." In other words, he respects the medical assessment of his colleague as though they were delivered from the god of healing or medicine himself. 
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Volume 1.  Ed. William Smith.  Little and Brown. Boston:  1849.  [MD]

Galen of Greshamsbury
Galen was an ancient physician from Pergamum.  He was born in 129 C.E. and likely died in the year 199 C.E.  He was well educated.  He studied in Smyrna and Alexandria before returning to practice medicine in Pergamum.  He settled in Rome around the year 161.  He served four emperors and wrote numerous treatises on medicine.  His knowledge acted as the foundation for subsequent medical learning in the Middle Ages.  Galen was a distinguished physician during his time.  Dr. Thorne is referred to as a Galen in a somewhat mocking but affectionate way by Trollope.  He is no Galen in truth but only a modest country doctor.
Encarta Electronic Encyclopedia 2006 OCD  [TH]

Xantippe
This is a reference to Xantippe (or Xanthippe), the wife of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates.  Xantippe was known for her disagreeable and scolding nature, and this is the idea to which Trollope is alluding here. When discussing the coming death of Roger Scatcherd, Trollope describes his wife, Lady Scatcherd, as being extremely sorrowful and sad at the unfortunate event; however, he also mentions that she was ill-treated by her husband and therefore her extreme devotion to him is almost surprising.  Trollope then generalizes about how few women are cast in the Xantippe mold.
The New Century: Classical Handbook. Ed. Catherine B. Avery. Appleton-Century-Crofts. New York: 1962  [MD]

Toga virilis
A Latin phrase translated as "the toga of manhood."  This white toga which boys were allowed to wear in ancient Rome after they had reached the age of fifteen came to identify them as men. This phrase is used here to describe the process of adolescents growing up and maturing into adults. However, instead of the actual wearing of a white toga, it is used metaphorically to refer to this ceremony of maturity. It is used specifically to describe students who have graduated from Eton and are now attending Cambridge University; they are becoming adults and feel that they should be more selective in choosing their companions than they had been in the past, when they allied themselves with the likes of Louis Scatcherd.
http://www.bartleby.com/61/82/T0248200.html OED  [MD]

Alma mater
A Latin phrase (translated literally as "nourishing mother") which was used by the Romans to refer to several of their goddesses, it has been adapted into English to refer to schools and their roles of educating individuals. The practice of teaching a person in an educational institution is similar to the process of being raised by a mother or guardian.  The phrase is used here to refer specifically to Cambridge University, which Louis Scatcherd attended for eighteen months, but from which he was forced to withdraw as a result of his gambling habits.  OED

Auspices
See commentary for Doctor Thorne Chapter 16.

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