[210] [The sign of an inn there. See x. 212.]
[211] The manner in which houses were marked in which the plague was raging.—Collier.
[212] The usual manner in which ladies formerly addressed their lovers. See Ben Jonson's "Every Man in his Humour," act iv. sc. 2, and "Every Man out of his Humour," act iii. sc. 9; Massinger's "Fatal Dowry," act ii. sc. 2; "Bashful Lover," act iv. sc. 1; "A Very Woman," act i. sc. 1; Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona," act ii. sc. 1, and the same is to be seen in most of the dramatic productions of the times.—Reed.
This title, which was a mark of favouritism tolerated by married women towards unmarried gentlemen in the reigns of James and Charles, is found in almost every old play. The plot of Chapman's "Monsieur D'Olive," turns upon the not very unnatural jealousy of a husband towards this equivocal service in a friend. See [the new edition of Chapman's plays.]—Gilchrist.
[213] [A translation from the French by the Honourable Walter Montague, 8o, 1656.]
[214] [Medlars.]
[215] The weight of a wedding-ring, in Middleton's time (a little earlier than that of Killigrew), may be seen by the following part of a dialogue from his "Chaste Maid in Cheapside," 1630, p. 7—
"Touchwood, jun. I would have a wedding-ring made for a gentlewoman, with all speed that may be.
"Yellowhammer. Of what weight, sir?
"Touchwood, jun. Of some half ounce."