Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-04-27
TIE PEAGUE.

LIE HE.1GO E.
The following terrific description of the effect
of this desolating malady during one of its
visitations in London, is from Roihelan, Mr..
Calls last novel:
In its malignancy, it engrossed the i'll
of all other paladies, and made doc
tors despica6le.-Of potency equal 10
death, it possessed itself of all his ar
INQUIRIES, and was itself the death of
every other mortal distemper. The
touch, yea, the very sight of the infect
ed was deadly; aud its signs we're so
sudden, that families seated in happi-
ness at their meals, have seen the
plague spot begin to redden, and have
wildly scattered themselves forever.
The cement of society was dissolved by
it. Mothers, when they saw the sign
Of the infection on the babes of their
bosom, cast them from them with abb
horrence. Wild places were sought for
shelter-some went into ships and an
chored themselves afar off on the wat
ers. But the angel that was pouring
the vial had foot on the sea, as we'll
as on the dry land. No place was so
wild, that the plague did not visit-none
so secret that the quick-sighted pesti-
lence did not discover--none could fly
that it did not overtake.
1t was as if Heaven had repented
the making of mankind, and was shovel
ing them all into the sepulchre. JUS
tice was forgotten, and her courts de-
serted. The terrified jailers fled from
the felons that were in fetters-the iu-
nocent and the guilty leagued them
selves together, and kept within their
prisons for safety--the grass grew in
the market-places--the cattle went moan
ing up and down the fields, wonder
ing what had become of their keep
ers-the rocks and the ravens came
into the towns, anG built their nests in
the mute beliries--silence was universal,
save when some infected wretch was
seen clamouring at window.
"For a time all commerce was in
collins and shrouds; but even that end
ed. Shrift there was none churches
and chapels were open, but neither
priest nor penitent entered; all went
TO the charnel house. The sexton and
the physician were cast into the same
deep and wide grave the testator and
his heirs and executors were hurled
from the same cart into the same hole
together. Fires became extinguished,
as if its element too had expired--the
seams of the sailorless ships yawned to
the sun. Though doors were open,
aad Golfers unmatched, there was no
theft-all offences ceased, and no crime
but the universal wo of the pestiIence,
was heard of among men. The wells
overfowed, and conduits ran to waste
the dogs banded themselves together,
having lost their masters, and ran bowling
over the land; horses persisted of fam
inc 10 their stalls; old friends but look
ed at one another when they met, keep
ing themselves far aloof; little children
went wandering up and down, and num-
bers were seen dead in all corners.
Nor was it only in England that the
plague so ragged; it travelled over
third part of the whole earth, like the
shadow of an eclipse, as if some dread
sui thing had been interposed between
the world and the source of life."
"At that epoch, for a short time
there was a silence, and every person
in the street for moment stood still,
and London was as dumb as a church.
yard. Again the sound of bell was
heard for it was that sound, so long
unheard, which arrested the fugitive
multitude and caused their silence. At
the third toll universal shor, arose, as
when herald proclaims the tidings of
great battle won, and then there was
a second silence.
"The people fell on their knees, and
with anthems of thankfuIness reoiced
in the dismal sound of that tolling DEATH
bell for it was signal Of the plague
being so abateh that men might again
mourn for their friends, and hallow
their remains with the solemnities of
burial"