Middle Temple.
_Blackguard_ (Vol. ii., p. 134.).--An early instance of the use of this
word occurs in a letter from Richard Topcliffe (Aug. 30, 1578), printed
in Lodge's _Illustrations_, vol. ii. p. 188. I quote from Mr. Jardine's
_Criminal Trials_, vol. ii. p. 13.: "His house, Euston, far unmeet for
her Highness, but fitter for the _Black Guard_."
It also occurs in Fuller's _Church History_ (Book ix. cent. xvi. sect.
vii. § 35. vol. v. p. 160. ed. Brewer):--"For who can otherwise conceive
but such a prince-principal of darkness must be proportionably attended
with a _black guard_ of monstrous opinions?"