Stoker 18-20

~ 251-275 ~

256. "A sacred bullet fired into the coffin kill him so that he be true dead."
I always thought I had a decent grasp of vampire lore, but I encountered a fact that I didn't know tonight. According to Book Drum, a vampire can be defeated by a bullet blessed by a priest. I always thought that bullets were used against werewolves rather than vampires.
255. "He may not enter anywhere at the first, unless there be some one of the household who bid him to come."
Although vampires were apparently unable to enter into a home without an invitation, the bustling nature of a Victorian household would allow a vampire to enter it rather easily. I suppose that's one benefit of my servant-less, small house.
256. "my friend Arminius, of Buda-Pesth University"
Bram Stoker may have based the character of Van Helsing on the Hungarian traveler and scholar,  Ármin Vámbéry. I find it interesting that so many characters and locations in Dracula may have been modeled after things in the real world.
256. "They learned his secrets in the Scholomance" 
Located in Transylvania, The Scholomance was a school dedicated to black magic that was was said to be run by the devil. Although the thought of a demon-led school isn't exactly good news, it does intrigue me. I suppose an interest in the unknown dwells within every man.
"An extract from Emily Gerard’s article ‘Transylvanian Superstitions’ describes the Scholomance:
As I am on the subject of thunderstorms, I may as well here mention the Scholomance, or school supposed to exist somewhere in the heart of the mountains, and where all the secrets of nature, the language of animals, and all imaginable magic spells and charms are taught by the devil in person. Only ten scholars are admitted at a time, and when the course of learning has expired and nine of them are released to return to their homes, the tenth scholar is detained by the devil as payment, and mounted upon an Ismeju (dragon) he becomes henceforward the devil's aide-de-camp, and assists him in 'making the weather,' that is, in preparing thunderbolts."
259. "a burnt rum punch, much patronized on Derby night"
According to Book Drum, burnt rum punch, also known as feuerzangenbowle, is prepared by soaking a lump of sugar in rum, lighting it on fire, and then allowing the sugar-rum mixture to drip into a vat of mulled wine. Some cultural food preparation is so interesting!
269. "The celebrated terrier "Major" kills 100 rats in 8 minutes and 58 seconds."
Although I've always been a cat person, this dog is pretty impressive!

275. "a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night"

Bram Stoker is referring to the pillar that God sent to the Israelites to guide them to the Promised Land. He presents in interesting comparison through this biblical allusion. So far, he seem to refer to the Scripture often.

~ 276-300 ~

281. "a new 'cold storage' building"

Before the invention of devices like the freezer and refrigerator, food was store in "caves, pits, or icehouses" that were filled with ice harvested during the winter. "The earliest cold storage buildings in London were constructed around the docks (such as Poplar) and the Smithfield meat market towards the end of the 19th century." When people see a need, they're pretty quick to remedy it. 

284. "the Aërated Bread Company"

According to Book Drum, Aërated Bread Company was a bakery and a tea shop for ladies. It sounds like a place that I'd love to visit. I feel like there aren't enough places that are meant for sitting and chatting with friends (while eating, of course!).

286. "such a smile as would have become the face of Malvolio"

In Stoker's Shakespearean allusion on page, he compares Renfield's expression to Malvolio's. Although it's been a long time since I've read Twelfth Knight, it painted a very strong picture in my mind. 

-Content courtesy of Book Drum