[253] 'Chevalier:' the Chevalier John Taylor, a quack oculist.
[254] 'Annet:' Peter Annet, for blasphemy, was sentenced by the court
to suffer a year's imprisonment in Bridewell with hard labour, and to
stand twice in the pillory.
[255] 'A guard:' Churchill was often in danger of being arrested for
debt.
[256] 'Saint Bride:' an address of congratulation on the peace, from
the city of London, was accompanied on its way by a muffled peal from
St Bride's.
[257] 'Of law:' referring to the punishment of negligent lamplighters.
[258] 'Hall:' the Westminster Session-house was then held at a house in
King Street, which had probably been a low public house.
[259] 'Brown:' the Rev. John Brown, D.D., born in 1715, was author,
among other works, of the 'Essay on the Characteristics,' and of an
'Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times.' See Cowper's
'Table-talk.' The 'Estimate' was extremely popular for a time. He was
inordinately vain, and died at last insane and a suicide.
[260] 'For making law:' alluding to Lord Mansfield's construction of
the libel-law.
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