Chapter Corinth to Coronation Chair of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Corinth to Coronation Chair

Corinth There is but one road that leads to Corinth. There is only one right way of doing anything. The Bible tells us that the way of evil is broad, because of its many tracks; but the way of life is narrow, because it has only one single footpath.

“All other ways are wrong, all other guides are false. Hence my difficulty:- the number and variety of the ways. For you know, `There is but one road that leads to Corinth.' ”- Pater: Marius the Epicurean, chap. 24.

Corinth's Pedagogue Dionysios the younger, on being banished a second time from Syracuse, went to Corinth and became schoolmaster. He is called Dionysios the tyrant. Hence Lord Byron says of Napoleon-

“Corinth's pedagogue hath now
Transferred his by-word to thy brow.”
Ode to Napoleon, stanza xiv.

Corinthian (A). A licentious libertine. The immorality of Corinth was proverbial both in Greece and Rome. To Corinthianise is to indulge in licentious conduct. A gentleman sportsman who rides his own horses on the turf, or sails his own yacht.
   A Corinthian. A member of the pugilistic club, Bond Street, London.

Corinthian Brass A mixed metal made by a variety of metals melted at the conflagration of Corinth in B.C. 146, when the city was burnt to the ground by the consul Mummius. Vases and other ornaments were made by the Romans of this metal, of greater value than if they had been made of silver or gold.
   The Hông-hee vases (1426) of China were made of a similar mixed metal when the Imperial palace was burnt to the ground. These vessels are of priceless value.

“I think it may be of Corinthian brass,
Which was a mixture of all metals, but
The brazen uppermost.”
Byron: Don Juan, vi. 56.

Corinthian Order The most richly decorated of the five orders of Greek architecture. The shaft is fluted, and the capital adorned with acanthus leaves. (See Acanthus .)

Corinthian Tom The sporting rake in Pierce Egan's Life in London. A “Corinthian” was the “fast man” of Shakespeare's period.

“I am no proud Jack, like Falstaff; but a Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a good boy.”- Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., ii. 4.

Corinthian War (The), B.C. 395-387. A suicidal contention between the Corinthians and the Lacedemonians. The allies of Corinth were Athens, Thebes, and Argos. The only battle of note was that of Coronea won by the Lacedemonians. Both the contending parties, utterly exhausted, agreed to the arbitration of Artaxerxes, and signed what is called The Peace of Antalkidas.
   Not long after this destructive contest Epaminondas and Pelopidas (Theban generals) won the battle of Leuctra ( B.C. 371), from which defeat the Lacedemonians never recovered.

Corked This wine is corked- i.e. tastes of the cork.

Corker or Calker. The nail in a horse's shoe to prevent slipping in frosty weather. (Latin, calx.)

Corking-pins Pins at one time used by ladies to keep curls on the forehead fixed and in trim.

Cormoran' The Cornish giant who fell into a pit twenty feet deep, dug by Jack the Giant-killer, and filmed over with grass and gravel. The name means cormorant or great eater. For this doughty achievement Jack received a belt from King Arthur, with this inscription-

“This is the valiant Cornish man
That slew the giant Cormoran.”
Jack the Giant-killer.

Corn ... Horn Up corn, down horn. When corn is high or dear, beef is down or cheap, because persons have less money to spend on meat.

Corn in Egypt (There's). There is abundance; there is a plentiful supply. Of course, the reference is to the Bible story of Joseph in Egypt.