Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-06-19
WfstOrfrdL.
History of the PLAGUE in London,


visitation was kept by citizen, who re-
manned there during the whole time of
the sickness, and who appears to have
been true and just in his remarks. This
dreadful contagion in London was intro
duced by some goods brought from Hol>
land. 1t first broke out in the house
where those goods were opened. from
whence it spread to others. In the first
house that was infected there died four
persons; neighbour who went to visit
them, on returning home gave the dis
temper to her family, and died. with
all her household. The disorder spread
and the physicians perceived the dam
ger, and upon narrow inspection were
assured that it was indeed the plague,
with its terrifying particulars, and that
it threatened general Infection. The
people began to be alarmed all over the
town. The number of burials within the
bills Of morality, for a week, was from
three to four hundred. However, the
frost continued very severe until the end
of February, the bills decreased, and
people began to look upon danger as
over; but in May the bills greatly in>
creased, and the weather becoming warm
the infection spread again in dreadful
manner.
Nothing was to be seen but wagons.
carts and coaches with goods, and people
attending them, hurrying away. This
was very melancholy prospect. By
the end of July the contagion had spread
and increased TO great degree; sorrow
and sadness sat upon every face; Lon
don might well be said to be all in tears.
The voice of mourning was indeed heard
in the streets; the shrieks of women and
children at the windows and doors of
their houses, was enough to pierce the
stoutest heart. 1t was time, says the
author, Of very unhappy breaches among
US, in matters of religion; but this dread
full visitation reconciled all parties; yet
after the sickness was over, that spirit Of
charity was lost, and things returned to
their old bad channel.
1t is worthy of observation, as we'll as
full of instruction, to remark with what
-argerness people of all persuasions en-
hraced the opportunities they had of at
ending upon the public worship and other
appointed times of devotion, as humilia>
tons, HASTINGS and public confession of
sins to implore the mercy of God, and
turn away The judgements which hung
over their heads, The churches were SO
ii roprod that there was nftan ma cn-,,;nrr
rear, no, not to the very door OF the lar
sest churches. All plays and public
places, which had begun to increase
among us, were shut up. The infection
continued TO increase until the middle Of
August, when there died thousand Il
day, by the account of the weekly bills,
though they never gave full account
by many thousands many of the parish
officers were taken sick themselves. and
died when their account was to be given
in.
had, continues the author the care
of my brothers house, which Obliged
me sometimes to go abroad In these
walks | had dismal objects before my
eyes. particularly Of persons falling dead
in the streets, and heard terrible shrieks
of women and children screaming about
the rooms like distracted persons. Peo-
pie in the rage Of the distemper, or in
the torment of the swelling (which in
deed was moderately becoming raving
and distracted. oftertimes laid violent
hands on themselves out of the windows
or. breaking out of the houses, would
dance naked alb )ut the streets, not know
ing one from sanother. Others would
run directly down to the river and jump
into the water. Some died of mere grief
and some of fright and surprise. without
perhaps having received the Infection
The symptom of swelling was accounted
the most promising in the disease. for if
these swelings could be brought to break
and run. the patient generally recovered
whereas those who were struck with
death at the beginning of the distemper
and had spots come upon them, often
went about tolerably easy, till little
time before they died, and some until the
moment they dropped down.
Watchmen were placed at the doors
of infected houses, night and day. to pre-
vent any going out 10 spread the distem>
per. Going out one morning. ! heard a
great cutlery. which, prompting my Gu
riosity, l enquired the cause. of person
who looked out of the window. A
watchman had been employed to watch
at the door of house which was shut
up; both himself and the day Waterman
attended there day and two nights
All this while nc noise was heard, nor
lights seen in the house. 1t seems that
two or three days before. the dead cart
had carried away maid servant wrapped
only in rug. The next day the watch
man heard great crying in the house
upon which he knocked at the door
great while at last one looked out and
with an angry. sad tone what dye
want !? He answered, am the watch
man; how do you do?' The person re-
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