[52] So called because many Frenchmen lived there.  In Westminster there was another district with this same name.

[53] “Gave them vapors,” i.e., put them into a state of nervous excitement.

[54] Soothsayers.

[55] In astrology, the scheme or figure of the heavens at the moment of a person’s birth.  From this the astrologers pretended to foretell a man’s destiny.

[56] Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar of the thirteenth century, had a knowledge of mechanics and optics far in advance of his age:  hence he was commonly regarded as a wizard.  The brazen head which he manufactured was supposed to assist him in his necromantic feats; it is so introduced by Greene in his play of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (1594).

[57] A fortune teller who lived in the reign of Henry VIII., and was famous for her prophecies.

[58] The most celebrated magician of mediaeval times (see Spenser’s Faerie Queene and Tennyson’s Merlin and Vivien).

[59] Linen collar or ruff.

[60] Him.

[61] The interlude was originally a short, humorous play acted in the midst of a morality play to relieve the tedium of that very tedious performance.  From the interlude was developed farce; and from farce, comedy.

[62] Charles II. and his courtiers, from their long exile in France, brought back to England with them French fashions in literature and in art.

[63] To be acted.

[64] Buffoons, clowns.

[65] About 621/2 cents.

[66] About twenty-five dollars; but the purchasing power of money was then seven or eight times what it is now.

[67] Strictly speaking, this word means “love potions.”

[68] Exorcism is the act of expelling evil spirits, or the formula used in the act.  Defoe’s use of the word here is careless and inaccurate.

[69] Bits of metal, parchment, etc., worn as charms.

[70] Making the sign of the cross.

[71] Paper on which were marked the signs of the zodiac,—­a superstition from astrology.

[72] A meaningless word used in incantations.  Originally the name of a Syrian deity.

[73] Iesus Hominum Salvator ("Jesus, Savior of Men").  The order of the Jesuits was founded by Ignatius de Loyola in 1534.

[74] The Feast of St. Michael, Sept. 29.

[75] This use of “to” for “of” is frequent with Defoe.

[76] The Royal College of Physicians was founded by Thomas Linacre, physician to Henry VIII.  Nearly every London physician of prominence is a member.

[77] The city of London proper lies entirely in the county of Middlesex.

[78] Literally, “hand workers;” now contracted into “surgeons.”

[79] Cares, duties.

[80] Consenting knowledge.

[81] Disposed of to the public, put in circulation.

[82] That is, by the disease.

[83] Happen.