Within ten years they were supporting and administering over sixteen schools, teaching the poor children to read the Scriptures, learn Christian morals, and acquire skills which would help them in life. Believing firmly that Christian teaching should be the basis of all education, Hannah wrote many of the books used in the schools. Hannah died in 1833 at the age of 88. Her writings and philanthropy deeply influenced the public mind and social character of her day. The pestilence which has been sweeping across Europe has now reached England bringing the same widespread death as elsewhere.
Scholars wonder if the cause is in the stars.
Not since the flood of Noah have so many people died. Once afflicted, the plague - stricken never live beyond a day or two. Large boils under the armpit or in the groin are sometimes as big as an egg, fever soars, and the lungs are inflamed as the dying vomit blood. Cargo - laden ships are floating aimlessly at sea with their entire crew stricken by the plague and unable to bring the ship to harbor. Some predict that half of the population of England will be killed by the plague.