In the middle of the month
Mr. Pepys travelled on foot to the Tower, and records his
impressions. "Lord," he says, "how empty the streets are and
melancholy, so many poor sick people in the streets full of
sores; and so many sad stories overheard as I walk, everybody
talking of this dead, and that man sick, and so many in this
place, and so many in that. And they tell me that in Westminster
there is never a physician and but one apothecary left, all being
dead; but that there are great hopes of a decrease this week.
God send it."
The while, trade being discontinued, those who had lived by
commerce or labour were supported by charity. To this good
purpose the king contributed a thousand pounds per week, and Dr.
Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury--who remained at Lambeth during
the whole time--by letters to his bishops, caused great sums to
be collected throughout the country and remitted to him for this
laudable purpose. Nor did those of position or wealth fail in
responding to calls made upon them at this time; their
contributions being substantial enough to permit the lord mayor
to distribute upwards of one hundred thousand pounds a week
amongst the poor and afflicted for several months.
In October the death rate fell to nine thousand four hundred and
forty-four; in November to three thousand four hundred and forty-
nine; and in December to less than one thousand. Therefore,
after a period of unprecedented suffering, the people took
courage once more, for life is dear to all men.
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