5
the Company – the East India Company formed in 1600 for the development of trade with India and Southeast Asia; later the Company became involved in politics as a British agent in the region
6
bureau – a writing desk with drawers
7
Macaulay – Thomas Bebington Macaulay (1800–1859); an English politician, historian and essayist; he is best known for his ‘History of England’
8
jugglers – persons who perform tricks to amuse people
9
attics – an attic is a space under the roof of the house
10
balusters – construction details supporting a handrail
11
hydrophobia – strong fear of water
12
medium – a person who is able to receive information from the spirits of the dead
13
mesmerizm – a sort of hypnotism; named after Franz Mesmer (1734–1815) who was the first to use hypnotic trance in medical treatment
14
mesmerize = hypnotize
15
mesmerizer = hypnotizer
16
Will-o’-the Wisp – a meteorological effect, a mysterious light seen over marshes due to ignition of methane, produced by the decomposition of plants
17
simulacra – pl. from simulacrum – shadowy likeness that is deceiving
18
phantasm – a phantom
19
phantom – a ghost, or smth. seen in a vision
20
larvae – insects in the first stage of their life cycle
21
Liverpool – a city and port in the historic county of Lancashire in northwestern England
22
Melbourne – an important city and port on the southeastern coast of Australia
23
Walworth – a historic village in Southwark, an inner borough of London; a borough is an incorporated town or district with special privileges.
24
mesmeric – hypnotic
25
rapport = relationship
26
en rapport = in close relationship
27
Paracelsus (1493–15410) – a Swiss doctor and alchemist who was the first to widely use the achievements of chemistry for treating patients
28
eidolon – a ghost or phantom (Greek)
29
Bacon – Francis Bacon (1561–1626), a famous English philosopher, statesman, essayist and speaker
30
Plato (428 BC–348 BC) – an ancient Greek philosopher, founder of the Academy; he was the pupil of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle.
31
the Almighty = God
32
crotchet – a strange and unreasonable idea
33
hobgoblins – in English and Scottish folklore, small malicious fairies which inhabit houses, mislead travelers, frighten people, spoil things, etc.
34
pentacle – a magic geometrical figure
35
vellum – parchment
36
anathema – a formal declaration of the Church condemning smb. or smth.; a curse
37
Somersetshire – a historic county in the southwest of England
38
Methodist – a member of the Methodist Church which separated from the Church of England in the 18th century and later developed into an autonomous church
39
chaise – a low carriage with two or four wheels
40
Cambridgeshire – a historic county in eastern England
41
brogue – a local way of speaking English; a dialect
42
was dead against smth. = was strongly against smth.
43
Providence – God or some power that intervenes in human lives and affairs of the world
44
the Eesraelites – the Israelites, people of Jewish origin, members of the twelve tribes of Israel; in the 10th century BC, ten tribes established the Kingdom of Israel, and two tribes the Kingdom of Judah
45
the West-end – the fashionable part of London known for its palaces, mansions, parks and shops
46
laudanum – a sedative made from opium
47
delusion – a false opinion that may be a symptom of madness
48
Metz –