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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—E

Eclectics

Ancient philosophers, who selected what they thought best in all other systems, and made a patchwork therefrom. There is the eclectic school of painters, of which Paul Delaroche was the founder and best exponent; the eclectic school of modern philosophy, founded by Victor Cousin; the eclectic school of architecture; and so on. (Greek, ek-lego, to pick out.)

Eclectics

or Modern Platonists. A Christian sect which arose in the second century. They professed to make truth their sole object of inquiry, and adopted from existing systems whatever, in their opinion, was true. They were called Platonists because they adopted Plato's notions about God and the human soul.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Eclipses

Eckhardt