Note 187 — GAMMER GURTON'S NEEDLE.

A sort is a company. So in Jonson's "Every man out of his Humour," act ii., sc. 3: "I speak it not gloriously, nor out of affectation, but there's he and the count Frugale, signior Illustre, signior Luculento, and a sort of them," &c. Also, in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," 1592, p. 6, "I know a great sort of good fellows that would venture," &c. Again, in the "Vocacyon of Johan Bale," 1533; "In parell of pyrates, robbers, and murthirors, and a great sort more." And in Skelton's Works, edit. 1736, p. 136—

See also Dr Johnson and Mr Steevens's Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. III. p. 69.