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preservatives in their mouths and about their clothes to repel and keep
off the infection。
It must be acknowledged that when people began to use these
cautions they were less exposed to danger； and the infection did not
break into such houses so furiously as it did into others before； and
thousands of families were preserved （speaking with due reserve to
the direction of Divine Providence） by that means。
But it was impossible to beat anything into the heads of the poor。
They went on with the usual impetuosity of their tempers； full of
outcries and lamentations when taken； but madly careless of
themselves； foolhardy and obstinate； while they were well。 Where
they could get employment they pushed into any kind of business； the
most dangerous and the most liable to infection； and if they were
spoken to； their answer would be； 'I must trust to God for that； if I am
taken； then I am provided for； and there is an end of me'； and the like。
Or thus； 'Why； what must I do？ I can't starve。 I had as good have the
plague as perish for want。 I have no work； what could I do？ I must do
this or beg。' Suppose it was burying the dead； or attending the sick； or
watching infected houses； which were all terrible hazards； but their
tale was generally the same。 It is true； necessity was a very justifiable；
warrantable plea； and nothing could be better； but their way of talk
was much the same where the necessities were not the same。 This
adventurous conduct of the poor was that which brought the plague
among them in a most furious manner； and this； joined to the distress
of their circumstances when taken； was the reason why they died so
by heaps； for I cannot say I could observe one jot of better husbandry
among them； I mean the labouring poor； while they were all well and
getting money than there was before； but as lavish； as extravagant； and
as thoughtless for tomorrow as ever； so that when they came to be
taken sick they were immediately in the utmost distress； as well for
want as for sickness； as well for lack of food as lack of health。
This misery of the poor I had many occasions to be an eyewitness
of； and sometimes also of the charitable assistance that some pious
people daily gave to such； sending them relief and supplies both of
food； physic； and other help； as they found they wanted； and indeed it
is a debt of justice due to the temper of the people of that day to take
notice here； that not only great sums； very great sums of money were
charitably sent to the Lord Mayor and aldermen for the assistance and
support of the poor distempered people； but abundance of private
people daily distributed large sums of money for their relief； and sent
people about to inquire into the condition of particular distressed and
visited families； and relieved them； nay； some pious ladies were so
transported with zeal in so good a work； and so confident in the
protection of Providence in discharge of the great duty of charity； that
they went about in person distributing alms to the poor； and even
visiting poor families； though sick and infected； in their very houses；
appointing nurses to attend those that wanted attending； and ordering
apothecaries and surgeons； the first to supply them with drugs or
plasters； and such things as they wanted； and the last to lance and
dress the swellings and tumours； where such were wanting； giving
their blessing to the poor in substantial relief to them； as well as
hearty prayers for them。
I will not undertake to say； as some do； that none of those charitable
people were suffered to fall under the calamity itself； but this I may
say； that I never knew any one of them that miscarried； which I
mention for the encouragement of others in case of the like distress；
and doubtless； if they that give to the poor lend to the Lord； and He
will repay them； those that hazard their lives to give to the poor； and
to comfort and assist the poor in such a misery as this； may hope to be
protected in the work。
Nor was this charity so extraordinary eminent only in a few； but （for
I cannot lightly quit this point） the charity of the rich； as well in the
city and suburbs as from the country； was so great that； in a word； a
prodigious number of people who must otherwise inevitably have
perished for want as well as sickness were supported and subsisted by
it； and though I could never； nor I believe any one else； come to a full
knowledge of what was so contributed； yet I do believe that； as I heard
one say that was a critical observer of that part； there was not only
many thousand pounds contributed； but many hundred thousand
pounds； to the relief of the poor of this distressed； afflicted city； nay；
one man affirmed to me that he could reckon up above one hundred
thousand pounds a week； which was distributed by the churchwardens
at the several parish vestries by the Lord Mayor and aldermen in the
several wards and precincts； and by the particular direction of the
court and of the justices respectively in the parts where they resided；
over and above the private charity distributed by pious bands in the
manner I speak of； and this continued for many weeks together。
I confess this is a very great sum； but if it be true that there was
distributed in the parish of Cripplegate only； 17；800 in one week to
the relief of the poor； as I heard reported； and which I really believe
was true； the other may not be improbable。
It was doubtless to be reckoned among the many signal good
providences which attended this great city； and of which there were
many other worth recording； … I say； this was a very remarkable one；
that it pleased God thus to move the hearts of the people in all parts of
the kingdom so cheerfully to contribute to the relief and support of the
poor at London； the good consequences of which were felt many
ways； and particularly in preserving the lives and recovering the
health of so many thousands； and keeping so many thousands of
families from perishing and starving。
And now I am talking of the merciful disposition of Providence in
this time of calamity； I cannot but mention again； though I have
spoken several times of it already on other accounts； I mean that of
the progression of the distemper； how it began at one end of the town；
and proceeded gradually and slowly from one part to another； and like
a dark cloud that passes over our heads； which； as it thickens and
overcasts the air at one end； dears up at the other end； so； while the
plague went on raging from west to east； as it went forwards east； it
abated in the west； by which means those parts of the town which
were not seized； or who were left； and where it had spent its fury；
were （as it were） spared to help and assist the other； whereas； had the
distemper spread itself over the whole city and suburbs； at once；
raging in all places alike； as it has done since in some places abroad；
the whole body of the people must have been overwhelmed； and there
would have died twenty thousand a day； as they say there did at
Naples；； nor would the people have been able to have helped or
assisted one another。
For it must be observed that where the plague was in its full force；
there indeed the people were very miserable； and the consternation
was inexpressible。 But a little before it reached even to that place； or
presently after it was gone； they were quite another sort of people； and
I cannot but acknowledge that there was too much of that common
temper of mankind to be found among us all at that time； namely； to
forget the deliverance when the danger is past。 But I shall come to
speak of that part again。
It must not be forgot here to take some notice of the state of trade
during the time of this common calamity； and this with respect to
foreign trade； as also to our home trade。
As to foreign trade； there needs little to be said。 The trading nations
of Europe were all afraid of us； no port of France； or Holland； or
Spain； or Italy would admit our ships or correspond with us； indeed
we stood on ill terms with the Dutch； and were in a furious war with
them； but though in a bad condition to fight abroad； who had such
dreadful enemies to struggle with at home。
Our merchants were accordingly at a full stop； their ships could go
nowhere … that is to say； to no place abroad； their manufactures and
merchandise … that is to say； of our growth … would not be touched
abroad。 They were as much afraid of our goods as they were of our
people； and indeed they had reason： for our woollen manufactures are
as retentive of infection as human bodies； and if packed up by persons
infected； would receive the infection and be as dangerous to touch as
a man would be that was infected； and therefore； when any English
vessel arrived in foreign countries； if they did take the goods on shore；
they always caused the bales to be opened and aired in places
appointed for that purpose。 But f