Latinism, defining the term in the plural, as the deified souls of departed ancestors
(as beneficent spirits; opposed to larvæ and lemures, the malevolent shades of the
Lower World). Also, the spirit, `shade' of a departed person, considered as an object
of homage or reverence, or as demanding to be propitiated by vengeance. The manes
Victor lists here have in the aggregate constituted the guiding spirits that throughout
this chapter he has invoked as demanding his intercession to avenge their deaths.
Upon his own death he foresees himself joining their number. If Walton is expected
to pick up the family cause, perhaps in thinking of Victor as "the brother of [his]
heart" (I:L4:22) he has got much more than he bargained for.