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Phaeton
This is a reference to a particular style of carriage, which usually had
two seats facing forward and was drawn by two horses. In this case, it is
said to have been ridden in by Dr. Century and is also described as being
"old-fashioned," which matches the characterization of Dr. Century
himself. The OED cites "phaeton" as being used in English as early as 1735
to refer to this type of carriage. However, the word comes from the name
of the son of Helios (the Sun god), Phaethon, in Greek mythology. One day
Phaethon asked his father if he could drive his chariot, which led the sun
on its path across the sky. Helios was convinced to let him attempt this
feat, but Phaethon was too weak to hold the horses' reigns and the chariot
careened out of control, almost striking the Earth and nearly setting it
on fire. Zeus was so outraged that he killed the boy; in sorrow, his
sisters turned into poplar trees who wept amber for their deceased
brother.
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology Ed. William Smith. Little and
Brown.
Boston: 1849
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Little Galen
This is a phrase which Trollope uses to describe Dr. Fillgrave
while the squire, Mr. Gresham, is conversing with him. Mr. Gresham has
just proposed that Dr. Fillgrave meet Dr. Thorne and confer with him about
the best medical approach which they should take with Lady Arabella. Dr.
Fillgrave is an obstinate man and completely refuses to associate himself
with Dr. Thorne as a result of a previous dispute between the two men. It
is interesting that Dr. Fillgrave is referred to as a "Little
Galen," while his sometimes adversary Dr. Thorne was earlier depicted as
the "Galen of Greshamsbury"
(see commentary
on Chapter 2). Galen was a physician and philosopher in the
Roman empire and one of the most important medical doctors of his time; it
is from his writings that we have much of our understanding of earlier
medical practices.
OCD
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Enthusiasm and
enthusiastic
This
noun and adjective are ultimately Greek in origin, stremming from a verb,
enthousiazein, meaning "to be inspired by a god." Trollope invokes
this meaning of the word throughout this chapter to describe Mr. Oriel's
feelings towards the priesthood, and the feelings towards church which
Miss Gushing exaggerates in order to win Mr. Oriel. [JC] |