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There have been great debates among our physicians as to the
reason of this。 Some will have it to be in the nature of the disease；
and that it impresses every one that is seized upon by it with a kind of
a rage； and a hatred against their own kind … as if there was a
malignity not only in the distemper to communicate itself； but in the
very nature of man； prompting him with evil will or
an evil eye； that； as they say in the case of a mad dog； who though the
gentlest creature before of any of his kind； yet then will fly upon and
bite any one that comes next him； and those as soon as any who had
been most observed by him before。
Others placed it to the account of the corruption of human nature；
who cannot bear to see itself more miserable than others of its own
species； and has a kind of involuntary wish that all men were as
unhappy or in as bad a condition as itself。
Others say it was only a kind of desperation； not knowing or
regarding what they did； and consequently unconcerned at the danger
or safety not only of anybody near them； but even of themselves also。
And indeed； when men are once come to a condition to abandon
themselves； and be unconcerned for the safety or at the danger of
themselves； it cannot be so much wondered that they should be
careless of the safety of other people。
But I choose to give this grave debate a quite different turn； and
answer it or resolve it all by saying that I do not grant the fact。 On the
contrary； I say that the thing is not really so； but that it was a general
complaint raised by the people inhabiting the outlying villages against
the citizens to justify； or at least excuse； those hardships and severities
so much talked of； and in which complaints both sides may be said to
have injured one another； that is to say； the citizens pressing to be
received and harboured in time of distress； and with the plague upon
them； complain of the cruelty and injustice of the country people in
being refused entrance and forced back again with their goods and
families； and the inhabitants； finding themselves so imposed upon；
and the citizens breaking in as it were upon them whether they would
or no； complain that when they were infected they were not only
regardless of others； but even willing to infect them； neither of which
were really true … that is to say； in the colours they were described in。
It is true there is something to be said for the frequent alarms which
were given to the country of the resolution of the people of London to
come out by force； not only for relief； but to plunder and rob； that they
ran about the streets with the distemper upon them without any
control； and that no care was taken to shut up houses； and confine the
sick people from infecting others； whereas； to do the Londoners
justice； they never practised such things； except in such particular
cases as I have mentioned above； and such like。 On the other hand；
everything was managed with so much care； and such excellent order
was observed in the whole city and suburbs by the care of the Lord
Mayor and aldermen and by the justices of the peace； church…wardens；
&c。； in the outparts； that London may be a pattern to all the cities in
the world for the good government and the excellent order that was
everywhere kept； even in the time of the most violent infection； and
when the people were in the utmost consternation and distress。 But of
this I shall speak by itself。
One thing； it is to be observed； was owing principally to the
prudence of the magistrates； and ought to be mentioned to their
honour： viz。； the moderation which they used in the great and difficult
work of shutting up of houses。 It is true； as I have mentioned； that the
shutting up of houses was a great subject of discontent； and I may say
indeed the only subject of discontent among the people at that time；
for the confining the sound in the same house with the sick was
counted very terrible； and the complaints of people so confined were
very grievous。 They were heard into the very streets； and they were
sometimes such that called for resentment； though oftener for
compassion。 They had no way to converse with any of their friends
but out at their windows； where they would make such piteous
lamentations as often moved the hearts of those they talked with； and
of others who； passing by； heard their story； and as those complaints
oftentimes reproached the severity； and sometimes the insolence； of
the watchmen placed at their doors； those watchmen would answer
saucily enough； and perhaps be apt to affront the people who were in
the street talking to the said families； for which； or for their ill…
treatment of the families； I think seven or eight of them in several
places were killed； I know not whether I should say murdered or not；
because I cannot enter into the particular cases。 It is true the
watchmen were on their duty； and acting in the post where they were
placed by a lawful authority； and killing any public legal officer in the
execution of his office is always； in the language of the law； called
murder。 But as they were not authorised by the magistrates'
instructions； or by the power they acted under； to be injurious or
abusive either to the people who were under their observation or to
any that concerned themselves for them； so when they did so； they
might he said to act themselves； not their office； ' to act as private
persons； not as persons employed； and consequently； if they brought
mischief upon themselves by such an undue behaviour； that mischief
was upon their own heads； and indeed they had so much the hearty
curses of the people； whether they deserved it or not； that whatever
befell them nobody pitied them； and everybody was apt to say they
deserved it； whatever it was。 Nor do I remember that anybody was
ever punished； at least to any considerable degree； for whatever was
done to the watchmen that guarded their houses。
What variety of stratagems were used to escape and get out of
houses thus shut up； by which the watchmen were deceived or
overpowered； and that the people got away； I have taken notice of
already； and shall say no more to that。 But I say the magistrates did
moderate and ease families upon many occasions in this case； and
particularly in that of taking away； or suffering to be removed； the
sick persons out of such houses when they were willing to be removed
either to a pest…house or other Places； and sometimes giving the well
persons in the family so shut up； leave to remove upon information
given that they were well； and that they would confine themselves in
such houses where they went so long as should be required of them。
The concern； also； of the magistrates for the supplying such poor
families as were infected … I say； supplying them with necessaries； as
well physic as food … was very great； and in which they did not content
themselves with giving the necessary orders to the officers appointed；
but