He shall drink nought but brine, for I'll not show him
Where the quick freshes lie."
Surely, in this instance, the plural noun "freshes" is not formed from any such singular noun as "fresh," but directly from the adjective, which latter does not seem to have been ever used as a singular noun.
While on the subject of "News," P.C.S.S. finds in Pepys' Diary (vol. iii. p. 59.) another application of the word, in the sense of a noun singular, which he does not remember to have seen noticed by others.
"Anon, the coach comes—in the meantime, there coming a news thither, with his horse to come over."
In other parts of the Diary, the word News-book is occasionally employed to signify what is now termed a newspaper, or, more properly, a bulletin. For instance (vol. iii. p. 29.), we find that—
"This News-book, upon Mr. Moore's showing L'Estrange Captain Ferrers's letter, did do my Lord Sandwich great right as to the late victory."
And again (at p. 51.):
"I met this noon with Dr. Barnett, who told me, and I find in the News-book this week, that he posted upon the 'Change,'" &c. &c.
Much has been lately written in the "NOTES AND QUERIES" respecting the "Family of Love." A sect of a similar name existed here in 1641, and a full and not very decent description of their rites and orgies is to be found in a small pamphlet of that date, reprinted in the fourth volume (8vo. ed.) of the Harleian Miscellany.