Chapter Eclecta to Edric of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Eclecta to Edric

Eclecta, the “Elect” personified in The Purple Island, by Phineas Fletcher. She is the daughter of Intellect and Violetta (free-will); and ultimately becomes the bride of Jesus Christ, “the bridegroom” (canto xii., 1633).

But let the Kentish lad [Phineas Fletcher]
…that sung and crowned
Eclecta’s hymen with ten thousand flowers
Of choicest praise…be the sweet pipe.
   —G. Fletcher: Christ’s Triumph, etc. (1610).

Eclipses Utilized. Thales brought about peace between the Medes and Lydians by his knowledge of eclipses.

Columbus procured provisions from the people of Jamaica by his foreknowledge of an eclipse.

Ecnephia, a hurricane, similar to the typhoon.

The circling Typhon, whirled from point to point…
And dire Ecnephia reign.
   —Thomson: The Seasons (“Summer,” 1727).

École des Femmes, a comedy of Molière, the plot of which is borrowed from the novelletti of Ser Giovanni (1378).

Ector (Sir), “lord of many parts of England and Wales, and foster-father of prince Arthur.” His son, sir Key or Kay, was seneschal or steward of Arthur when he became king.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 3 (1470).

N.B.—Sir Ector and sir Ector de Maris are two distinct persons.

Ector de Maris (Sir), brother “of sir Launcelot” of Benwick, i.e. Brittany.

Then sir Ector threw his shield, his sword, and his helm from him, and…he fell down in a swoon; and when he awaked, it were hard for any tongue to tell the doleful complaints [lamentations] that he made for his brother. “Ah, sir Launcelot,” said he, “head of all Christian knights!”…etc.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, iii. 176 (1470).

Eden (The Garden of). There is a region of Bavaria so called, because, like Eden, it is watered by four streams, viz. the White Maine, the Eger, the Saale, and the Naab.

In the Korûn the word Eden means “everlasting abode.” Thus in ch. ix. we read, “God promiseth to true believers gardens of perpetual abode,” literally, “gardens of Eden.”

Eden, in America. A dismal swamp, the climate of which generally proved fatal to the poor dupes who were induced to settle there through the swindling transactions of general Scadder and general Choke. So dismal and dangerous was the place, that even Mark Tapley was satisfied to have found at last a place where he could “come out jolly with credit.”—Dickens: Martin Chuzzlewit (1844).

Eden of Germany (Das Eden Deutschlands). Baden is so called on account of its mountain scenery, its extensive woods, its numerous streams, its mild climate, and its fertile soil. The valley of Treisam, in the grandduchy, is locally called “Hell Valley” (Höllenthall). Between this and the lake Constance lies what is called “The Kingdom of Heaven.”

Edenhall (The Luck of), an old painted goblet, left by the fairies on St. Cuthbert’s Well in the garden of Edenhall. The superstition is that if ever this goblet is lost or broken, there will be no more luck in the family. The goblet came into the possession of sir Christopher Musgrave, bart., Edenhall, Cumberland.

(Longfellow has a poem on The Luck of Edenhall, translated from Uhland.)