The stage is set

19 October, in the year of our Lord 2021

For supper to Mr. Jones house, where at the place I station my coach am surprised by the matter of two things: matter the First being the sound of a great snuffling in the dark, and outside the house of the neighbour, which is Allison, spied a great sow rooting in the soil; matter the Second, a cabinet of substancial capacity, of such a size as to house two person, with two doors and some little steps to the doors. The latter transpired to be a Port-a-lieu, for Allyson hath let out her house to a Company of Players, which seem’d to me a strange ocurrance but was with explanacion — viz.: that this troupe hath in recent weeks approached Mr. Jones and her to inquire of them whether either might permit, at times, a performance within their premices of a great Play, which is to be set down for posteritie on the magick screen, for all to see. Mr. Jones hath said that he would not like it, for all the up-heaving it would thereby cause; but his neighbour hath agree’d, that they might use the house and she be payed a pretty penny for it. Onlie they have found that her privy is not so big as they hoped and will not allow within it at the same time an actor, a man to direckt the scene and make sure all done well, another to make an record of what is acted there, and yet one more with a great torch to light the tiny space, that all may be illumined to best effeckt. So the troupe hath prevailed upon Mr. Jones for the use of his downstairs garderobe, for scenes of some importance to the Plot, to which he hath agreed, for a fee which he will add to the ground rent for the incoveniant convenience outside, for he is able to secure the room from the rest of the house, and go out with his Poudle and leave them act without a disturbance.