can make us recant what we have said concerning London. As for Dely and Agra belonging to the Mogull we find nothing against our position, but much to shew the vast numbers which attend that Emperour in his business and pleasures.
11. We shall conclude with Constantinople and Gran Cairo; as for Constantinople it hath been said by one who endeavour'd to shew |10| the greatness of that City, and the greatness of the Plague which reigned in it, that there died 1500 per diem, without other circumstances: To which we answer, that in the year 1665 there died in London 1200 per diem, and it hath been well proved that the Plague of London never carried away above 1⁄5 of the People, whereas it is commonly believed that in Constantinople, and other Eastern Cities, and even in Italy and Spain, that the Plague takes away 2⁄5 one half or more; wherefore where 1200 is but 1⁄5 of the People it is probable that the number was greater, than where 1500 was 2⁄5 or one half, &c. |11|
12. As for Gran Cairo it is reported, that 73000 died in 10 weeks or 1000 per diem[1], where note, that at Gran Cairo the Plague comes and goes away suddenly, and that the Plague takes away 2 or 3⁄5 parts of the People as aforesaid; so as 73000 was probably the number of those that died of the Plague in one whole year at Gran Cairo, whereas at London Anno 1665, 97000 were brought to account to have died in that year. Wherefore it is certain, that that City wherein 97000 was but 1⁄5 of the People, the number was greater than where 73000 was 2⁄5 or the half. |12|
We therefore conclude, that London hath more People, Housing, Shipping and Wealth, than Paris and Rouen put together; and for ought yet appears, is more considerable than any other City in the Universe, which was propounded to be proved. |13|
- ↑ In Hale's Primitive Origination of Mankind, 213, citing Leo's History of Africa, Such figures were frequently printed in the 17th century, e.g. Purchas, Pilgrimes (1625), p. 833.
P. J. d'Orleans's History of the two Tartar Conquerors of China, Hakluyt Soc., 1834. p. vii., also pp. 69—96, 103—131.
