Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/72

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Memoirs of

Not far from the ſame Place, they blow'd up a Watchman with Gun-powder, and burnt the poor Fellow dreadfully, and while he made hidious Crys, and no Body would venture to come near to help him; the whole Family that were able to ſtir, got out at the Windows one Story high; two that were left Sick, calling out for Help; Care was taken to give them Nurſes to look after them, but the Perſons fled were never found, till after the Plague was abated they return'd, but as nothing cou'd be prov'd, ſo nothing could be done to them.

It is to be conſider'd too, that as theſe were Priſons without Barrs and Bolts, which our common Priſons are furniſh'd with, ſo the People let themſelves down out of their Windows, even in the Face of the Watchman, bringing Swords or Piſtols in their Hands, and threatening the poor Wretch to ſhoot him, if he ſtir'd, or call'd for Help.

In other Caſes, ſome had Gardens, and Walls, or Pales between them and their Neighbours; or Yards, and back-Houſes; and theſe by Friendſhip and Entreaties, would get leave to get over thoſe Walls, or Pales, and ſo go out at their Neighbour's Doors; or by giving Money to their Servants, get them, to let them thro' in the Night; ſo that in ſhort, the ſhutting up of Houſes, was in no wiſe to be depended upon; neither did it anſwer the End at all; ſerving more to make the People deſperate, and drive them to ſuch Extremities, as that, they would break out at all Adventures.

And that which was ſtill worſe, thoſe that did thus break out, ſpread the Infection farther by their wandring about with the Diſtemper upon them, in their deſperate Circumſtances, than they would otherwiſe have done; for whoever conſiders all the Particulars in ſuch Caſes muſt acknowlede; and wecan-