= 'This gate hath of long time been a gaol, or prison
for felons and trespassers, as
appeareth
by records in the reign of
King John, and of other kings.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
In other words they became the connecting
link between those who had money to lend and those who wished
to borrow for trading purposes, or it might be to improve their
estates. No doubt at first the goldsmiths merely acted as guardians
of their clients' hoards, but they soon began to utilize those hoards
much as bankers now make use of the money deposited with
them.'--_Social England_ 3. 544.
=AMBLER.= Jonson uses this name again in _Neptune's Triumph_,
_Wks._ 8. 32:
Grave master Ambler, news-master o' Paul's,
Supplies your capon.
It reappears in _The Staple of News_.
=Her Gentlemanvsher.= For an exposition of the character and
duties of the gentleman-usher see the notes to 4. 4. 134. 201, 215.
=Newgate.
= 'This gate hath of long time been a gaol, or prison
for felons and trespassers, as
appeareth
by records in the reign of
King John, and of other kings.
'--Stow, _Survey_, ed. Thoms, p. 14.
THE PROLOGUE.
=1 The DIVELL is an Asse.= 'This is said by the prologue pointing
to the _title_ of the play, which as was then the custom, was
painted in large letters and placed in some conspicuous part of the
stage.'--G.
Cf. _Poetaster_, _After the second sounding_: 'What's here? THE
ARRAIGNMENT!' Also _Wily Beguiled_: _Prol._ How now, my
honest rogue? What play shall we have here to-night?
