[Roger L’Estrange, a voluminous writer of pamphlets and periodical papers, and translator of classics, &c.  Born 1616.  He was Licenser of the Press to Charles ii. and James ii.; and M.P. for Winchester in James ii.’s parliament.  L’Estrange was knighted in the reign of James ii., and died 1704.  In 1663 L’Estrange set up a paper called “The Public Intelligencer,” which came out on August 31st, and continued to be published twice a week till January 19th, 1665, when it was superseded by the scheme of publishing the “London Gazette,” the first number of which appeared on February 4th following.]

he beginning this week; and makes, methinks, but a simple beginning.  Then to speak to Mrs. Lane, who seems desirous to have me come to see her and to have her company as I had a little while ago, which methinks if she were very modest, considering how I tumbled her and tost her, she should not.  Thence to Mrs. Harper, and sent for Creed, and there Mrs. Harper sent for a maid for me to come to live with my wife.  I like the maid’s looks well enough, and I believe may do well, she looking very modestly and speaking so too.  I directed her to speak with my wife, and so Creed and I away to Mr. Povy’s, and he not being at home, walked to Lincoln’s Inn walks, which they are making very fine, and about one o’clock went back to Povy’s; and by and by in comes he, and so we sat and down to dinner, and his lady, whom I never saw before (a handsome old woman that brought him money that makes him do as he does), and so we had plenty of meat and drink, though I drunk no wine, though mightily urged to it, and in the exact manner that I never saw in my life any where, and he the most full and satisfied in it that man can be in this world with any thing.  After dinner done, to see his new cellars, which he has made so fine with so noble an arch and such contrivances for his barrels and bottles, and in a room next to it such a grotto and fountayne, which in summer will be so pleasant as nothing in the world can be almost.  But to see how he himself do pride himself too much in it, and command and expect to have all admiration, though indeed everything do highly deserve it, is a little troublesome.  Thence Creed and I away, and by his importunity away by coach to Bartholomew Fayre, where I have no mind to go without my wife, and therefore rode through the fayre without ’lighting, and away home, leaving him there; and at home made my wife get herself presently ready, and so carried her by coach to the fayre, and showed her the monkeys dancing on the ropes, which was strange, but such dirty sport that I was not pleased with it.  There was also a horse with hoofs like rams hornes, a goose with four feet, and a cock with three.  Thence to another place, and saw some German Clocke works, the Salutation of the Virgin Mary, and several Scriptural stories; but above all there was at last represented the sea, with Neptune, Venus, mermaids, and Ayrid on a dolphin, the sea rocking, so well done, that had it been in a gaudy manner and place, and at a little distance, it had been admirable.  Thence home by coach with my wife, and I awhile to the office, and so to supper and to bed.  This day I read a Proclamation for calling in and commanding every body to apprehend my Lord Bristoll.