Spend. What, must you be gone too, Master Blank?">[
[177] Alluding to Stukeley's desperate condition when he quitted England. [I think it alludes to nothing of the kind, but to the numerous pamphlets which were printed about this time on the state of Barbary, and Staines's idea of emigrating there and enlisting as a soldier. A MS. note in former edit, says, in fact: "i.e., suggested to me the necessity of making my fortune in Barbary, being no longer able to stay here.">[
[178] [A hit. Scattergood thought it was some superior tobacco brought by Longfield from home.]
[179] [See Dyce's "Shakespeare Glossary," 1868, v. Novum, and "Popular Antiquities of Great Britain," ii. 323. Edits., Novum (a common corruption).]
[180] A bale of dice is the same as a pair of dice. So in Ben Jonson's "New Inn," act i. sc. 3—
"For exercise of arms a bale of dice,
Or two or three packs of cards, to show the cheat,
And nimbleness of hand."
And in Marston's "What You Will," act iii. sc. 1—
"Marquesse of Mumchance, and sole regent over a bale of false dice."
[181] Thus we learn from Melvil's Memoirs, p. 165, edit. 1735, that the Laird of Grange offered to fight Bothwell, who answered that he was neither earl nor lord, but a baron, and so was not his equal. The like answer made he to Tullibardine. Then my Lord Lindsey offered to fight him, which he could not well refuse. But his heart failed him, and he grew cold on the business.—Reed.
[182] i.e., Tothill Fields.—Steevens.