The Anatomy of Melancholy

In Burton. The author compares his collection to cloth woven from different fleeces and to a bee’s gathering from flowers. He then claims that the resulting cento wrongs no author because each receives his due. The term makes combination itself a form of composition, while the adjoining claim raises the question of acknowledgment.

The places. Burton describes his method through weaving and gathering. (p. 8; DJR-005-01.)

In this edition. “this Cento” → “this patchwork” (DJR-005-01). Patchwork retains the material image and makes the literary term intelligible. It does not imply that the parts lack an organizing purpose.

See also. Humane learning; Science; Schoolmen; Parrhesia; Fustian and bombast.

Century

Source forms: cent.

The word. Century can mean a collection of one hundred items. The abbreviation cent. in a citation identifies such a division rather than a period of one hundred years.

In Burton. Among authorities on transformation and illness, Burton cites Mizaldus by cent. 5. 77. The numerals identify the fifth collection and item 77. This is a bibliographical locator, and interpreting century chronologically would obscure the reference.

The places. Mizaldus is cited by collection and item. (p. 9–10; DJR-022-28.)

In this edition. “Mizaldus cent. 5. 77.” → “Mizaldus, fifth century, item 77” (DJR-022-28). The modern text retains century as the collection’s name and makes item explicit. The article supplies the otherwise unfamiliar numerical sense.

See also. Neoterics; Prognostics.

Cerebral chambers

Source forms: middle cell of the Brain

The word. Cerebral chambers is an editorial heading for the cavities, cells or ventricles to which Burton’s historical physiology assigns mental faculties.

In Burton. The account of the brain places imagination and thought in a middle ventricle, and memory in a fourth chamber that receives and transmits animal spirits. The later definition of imagination calls its organ the middle cell. Reading the two passages together shows that cell names an internal chamber, rather than a microscopic unit of tissue.

The places. Imagination, thought and memory are assigned to ventricles. (p. 19; DJR-024-19.) The middle cell is named as imagination’s organ. (p. 23; DJR-025-18.)

In this edition. “Middle ventricle” → “middle ventricle” (DJR-024-19); “fourth Creek” → “fourth chamber” (DJR-024-19); “middle cell of the Brain” → “brain’s middle chamber” (DJR-025-18). Chamber makes the older spatial vocabulary clear while retaining ventricle where Burton uses that term.

See also. Imagination.

Characters

Source forms: characters; character

The word. Characters may be inscribed signs or magical symbols. A character can also be a distinguishing mark by which a condition is recognized.

In Burton. Signs stamped on metals appear among the alleged means of witchcraft, and written symbols among disputed cures. When Burton asks whether such treatments are lawful, characters again belong to the list of magical devices. In the account of symptoms, however, sorrow is the other character of melancholy: a distinguishing feature rather than an inscription.

The places. Stamped signs appear among the alleged instruments of magic. (p. 56–57; DJR-031-54.) Written symbols enter the discussion of contested cures. (p. 95–96; DJR-039-27.) Inscribed signs are included in the question about lawful treatment. (p. 216; DJR-067-36.) Sorrow is called a characteristic mark. (p. 183; DJR-059-01.)

In this edition. “characters stamped” → “signs stamped” (DJR-031-54); “Characters” → “written symbols” (DJR-039-27); “Characters” → “inscribed signs” (DJR-067-36); “Character” → “distinguishing mark” (DJR-059-01). The equivalents distinguish visible inscriptions from a diagnostic feature; neither passage concerns a fictional person or personality.

See also. Fascination.

Charity

Source forms: charity