ffair (says Mr. L'Estrange) I might well be seen at Whitehall,
but that I spake to Cromwel on any other business than this, that I
either sought, or pretended to, any privacy with him, or that I ever
spake to him after this time, I absolutely disown. Concerning the
story of the fiddle[C], this I suppose might be the rise of it: being
in St. James's Park, I heard an organ touched in a little low room
of one Mr. Henckson's; I went in, and found a private company of some
five or six persons. They desired me to take up a Viol, and bear a
part. I did so, and that part too, not much advance to the reputation
of my cunning. By and by, without the least colour of design,
or expectation, in comes Cromwel. He found us playing, and, as I
remember, so he left us.--As to bribing of his attendants, I disclaim
it. I never spake to Thurloe, but once in my life, and that was about
my discharge. Nor did I ever give bribe, little or great, in the
family.'

The above declaration Sir Roger was obliged to make, as some of his
enemies wanted to turn those circumstances of favour he received from
the Oliverian government to his disadvantage, and prevent his rising
in court distinction.

Sir Roger having little paternal fortune, and being a man rather
profuse than oeconomical, he had recourse to writing for bread. After
the restoration he set up a news-paper, which was continued 'till
the Gazette was first set on foot by Sir Joseph Williamson, under
secretary of state, for which, however, the government allowed Mr.
L'Estrange a consideration. Mr. Wood informs us, that our author
published his paper twice every week in 4to. under the title of The
Public Intelligence and News; the first of which came out August the
31st, 1663, and the other September the 3d, the same year. 'These
continued till the 9th of January 1665, at which time Mr. L'Estrange
desisted, because in the November before, there were other News-Papers
published twice every week, in half a sheet in folio. These were
called The Oxford Gazettes, and commenced the 7th of November, 1665,
the king and queen, with their courts being then at Oxford. These for
a little while were written by one Henry Muddeman; but when the court
removed to London, they were called the London Gazette. Soon after Mr.
Joseph Williamson, under secretary of State, procured the writing
of them for himself; and thereupon employed Charles Perrot, M.A. and
fellow of Oriel College in Oxford, who had a good command