] A drink composed of beer, eggs, and brandy.

[77] The supposed malignant influence of this plant is frequently
alluded to by our elder dramatists; and with one of the greatest of
them, Webster--as might be expected from a muse revelling like a ghoul
in graves and sepulchres--it is an especial favorite. But none have
plunged so deeply into the subject as Sir Thomas Browne. He tears up the
fable root and branch. Concerning the danger ensuing from eradication of
the mandrake, the learned physician thus writes: "The last assertion is,
that there follows a hazard of life to them that pull it up, that some
evil fate pursues them, and that they live not very long hereafter.
Therefore the attempt hereof among the ancients was not in ordinary way;
but, as Pliny informeth, when they intended to take up the root of this
plant, they took the wind thereof, and with a sword describing three
circles about it, they digged it up, looking toward the west. A conceit
not only injurious unto truth and confutable by daily experience, but
somewhat derogatory unto the providence of God; that is, not only to
impose so destructive a quality on any plant, but to conceive a
vegetable whose parts are so useful unto many, should, in the only
taking up, prove mortal unto any. This were to introduce a second
forbidden fruit, and enhance the first malediction, making it not only
mortal for Adam to taste the one, but capital for his posterity to
eradicate or dig up the other."--_Vulgar Errors_, book ii. c. vi.

[78] The moon.

[79] Light.

[80] Highwayman.

[81] "Cherry-colored--black; there being black cherries as well as
red."--GROSE.

[82] Sword.

[83] Pistols.

[84] Highway robbery.

[85] Pocket-book.

[86] Money.

[87] Bullets.

[88] The gallows.

[89] Ditto.

[90] Pocket-book.

[91] Inside coat-pocket.

[92] A small pocket-book.

[93] We have heard of a certain gentleman tobyman, we forget his name,
taking the horses from his curricle for a similar purpose, but we own we
think King's the simpler plan, and quite practicable still. A cabriolet
would be quite out of the question, but particularly easy to _stop_.

[94] Four celebrated highwaymen, all rejoicing in the honorable
distinction of captain.

[95] The exact spot where Turpin committed this robbery, which has often
been pointed out to us, lies in what is now a woody hollow, though once
the old road from Altringham to Knutsford skirting the rich and sylvan
domains