p. 99 Forty One. cf. note, Vol. II (p. 207) p. 433, The City Heiress.
p. 99 no Plot was true. A patent allusion to the fictitious Popish Plot.
p. 99 Conventicles. For the accentuated last syllable, vide Vol. I, p. 454. A striking example of this accentuation occurs in a Collection of Loyal Songs—1639-1661—
But all the Parish see it plain,
Since thou art in this pickle,
Thou art an Independent quean,
And lov’st a conventicle.
p. 99 Christian Suckling. The charge of murdering young Christian boys, especially at Passover time, and eating their flesh was continually brought against the Jews. Little St. Hugh of Lincoln, St. William of Norwich, the infant St. Simon of Trent and many more were said to have been martyred in this way. But recently (1913) the trial of Mendil Beiliss, a Jew, upon a charge of ritually murdering the Russian lad Yushinsky has caused a world-wide sensation.
p. 99 Gutling. Guzzling. Guttle is used in a secondary sense (= to flatter) in The City Heiress. Vide Vol. II, note (on p. 207) p. 433.
p. 100 took in Lamb’s-Wool Ale. Lamb’s-Wool Ale is hot ale mixed with the pulp of roasted apples, sugared and well spiced. The allusion is to Lord Howard of Esrick, who, having been imprisoned in the Tower on a charge connected with the so-called Popish Plot, to prove his innocence took the Sacrament according to the rites of the English church. It is said, however, that on this occassion, instead of wine, lamb’s-wool was profanely used. cf. Dryden’s bitter jibe—Absalom and Achitophel (November, 1681), I, 575:—
And canting Nadab let oblivion damn,
Who made new porridge for the paschal lamb.
cf. also Absalom’s IX Worthies:—
Then prophane Nadab, that hates all sacred things,
And on that score abominateth kings;
With Mahomet wine he damneth, with intent
To erect his Paschal-lamb’s-wool-Sacrament.