The Anatomy of Melancholy

See also. Imagination; Shame.

Aqua vitae

Source forms: Aquavitæ; strong waters; water of life

The word. Aqua vitae, literally water of life, denotes distilled alcoholic spirit. Strong waters belongs to the same vocabulary.

In Burton. A fearful sufferer carries aqua vitae or strong waters against anticipated fainting or illness. In a later medicinal formula, water of life is the liquid mixed with other ingredients for a plaster. These contexts distinguish something carried for an anticipated need from a preparation used externally; neither calls for the ordinary sense of water.

The places. A sufferer carries aqua vitae through fear of fainting. (p. 181–182; DJR-058-33.) Distilled spirit appears as an ingredient of a historical plaster. (p. 396; DJR-105-47.)

In this edition. “Aquavitæ” → “aqua vitae” (DJR-058-33); “strong waters” → “strong spirits” (DJR-058-33); “water of life” → “distilled spirit” (DJR-105-47). The name is retained in one passage and explained in the other; both refer to distilled spirit.

See also. Aurum potabile; Cordial; Pleasure.

Art

Source forms: Art

The word. Art can mean deliberate skill or enhancement, an organized discipline, or a skilled method of proceeding. It is not confined to painting, poetry or other fine arts.

In Burton. In the discussion of beauty, art is set against nature as a power of deliberate enhancement. Lovers’ diverse symptoms then exceed what any art can encompass, where the word concerns a body of organized knowledge. Near the close, art joins industry among the means of directing a distressed person’s thoughts. Each setting emphasizes a different relation between skill and its object.

The places. Beauty is considered in relation to art and nature. (p. 469; DJR-120-22.) No organized discipline can encompass all lovers’ symptoms. (p. 509; DJR-127-36.) Skill and effort are invoked in the management of distress. (p. 722; DJR-169-28.)

In this edition. “arti an naturæ” → “art or to nature” (DJR-120-22); “no Art” → “no discipline” (DJR-127-36); “art, and industry” → “skill and effort” (DJR-169-28). “Art,” “discipline” and “skill” retain the distinct contextual uses rather than forcing a uniform equivalent.

See also. Science; Experimental; Herbal; Emblem; Exhibition; Curiosity.

Artificial

Source forms: artificial; artificial Malady; artificiall Wildernesses

The word. Artificial can mean acquired or brought about by circumstances, and can also describe something deliberately made. It need not mean false or feigned.

In Burton. Burton distinguishes melancholy arising through circumstances from the naturally melancholy character assigned to certain creatures. He later contrasts an artificial malady with the natural disposition associated with age. In the account of recreation, artificial wildernesses are garden features deliberately planted to appear wild. The shared contrast with nature changes its practical meaning from illness to landscape.

The places. Melancholy produced by circumstances is distinguished from natural character. (p. 46; DJR-012-38.) Acquired disease is contrasted with natural melancholy. (p. 33; DJR-027-26.) Planted wildernesses belong to pleasurable garden walks. (p. 269; DJR-078-34.)

In this edition. “artificial” → “brought about by circumstances” (DJR-012-38); “artificial Malady” → “acquired disease” (DJR-027-26); “artificiall Wildernesses” → “planted wildernesses” (DJR-078-34). The rendering follows the distinction at issue: acquired in the medical account, deliberately planted in the garden.

See also. Cause; Adventitious.

Astrological aspects

Source forms: partile conjunction

The word. An astrological aspect is an angular relationship between heavenly bodies or chart points. Conjunction, opposition and quartile name particular relations; a partile conjunction is treated as exact by degree.