Chapter Astolat to Atomic Philosophy of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Astolat to Atomic Philosophy

Astolat By some identified with Guildford, in Surrey.

Astolpho (in Orlando Furioso). An English duke (son of Otho), who joined Charlemagne against the Saracens. He was carried on the back of a whale to Alcina's isle; but when Alcina tired of him, she turned him into a myrtle. He was disenchanted by Melissa. Astolpho descended into the infernal regions, and his flight to the moon (book xviii.) is one of the best parts of the whole poem. (See Inferno.)

It came upon them like a blast from Astolpho's horn - i.e. it produced a panic. Logistilla gave Astolpho a magic horn, and whatever man or beast heard its blast was seized with panic, and became an easy captive. (Orlando Furioso, book viii.)

Like Astolpho's book, it told you everything. The same fairy gave Astolpho a book, which would not only direct him aright in his journeys, but would tell him anything he desired to know. (Ariosto Orlando Furioso, book viii.)

Astoreth (See Ashtaroth .)

Astræa Equity, innocence. During the Golden Age this goddess dwelt on earth, but when sin began to prevail, she reluctantly left it, and was metamorphosed into the constellation Virgo.

"When hard-hearted interest first began
To poison earth, Astræa left the plain."
Thomson: Castle of Indolence, canto 1.

Astral Body (The). The noumenon of a phenomenal body. This "spirit body" survives after the death of the material body, and is the "ghost" or "double." Macbeth's dagger was an astral body; so, in theosophy, is the "kama-rupa" or mind body; and in transubstantiation the veritable "blood and flesh" of Christ is the astral body of the accidents "bread and wine."

Man is supposed to consist of body, soul, and spirit. The last is the astral body of man.

Astral Spirits The spirits of the stars. According to the mythology of the Persians, Greeks, Jews, etc., each star has its special spirit. Paracelsus maintained that every man had his attendant star, which received him at death, and took charge of him till the great resurrection.

Astrea A poetical name of Mrs. Aphra Behn, born of good family in the reign of Charles I. Her works are very numerous and very indecent, including seventeen dramatic pieces. She died 1689, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

"The stage how loosely does Astrea tread." Pope: Satires, v. 290.

Astrology (See Diapason, Microcosm.)

Astronomer of Dublin (The). The head of the chief rebel of Dublin, set on a tall white-painted stake on the highest point of Dublin Castle, where it remains till it falls to decay or is replaced by the head of a greater rebel. The Irish say: "God send to Dublin many more astronomers."

"His head is poled high
Upon the castle here,
Beholding stars as though he were
A great astronomer."
Derrick.

Astronomer Royal: (1) Flamsteed, 1675; (2) Halley, 1719; (3) Bradley, 1742; (4) Bliss, 1762; (5) Maskelyne, who originated the Nautical Almanack, 1765; (6) Pond, 1811; (7) Airy, 1835, (8) Christie, 1881.

Astrophel Sir Philip Sidney. "Phil. Sid." being a contraction of Philos Sidus, and the Latin sidus being changed to the Greek astron, we get astron-philos (star-lover). The "star" that he loved was Penelope Devereux, whom he called Stella (star), and to whom he was betrothed. Edmund Spenser wrote a pastoral called Astrophel, to the memory of his friend and patron, who fell at the battle of Zutphen. (1554--1586.)