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J.G. Keely's Reviews > A Journal of the Plague Year
A Journal of the Plague Year
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And so it was that the plague came into London, by the mercy of God, and I thought I would remain in the city despite the plague, for since God made it, I could not escape it if he meant me to perish from it, viz. when that brick fell off the chimney and onto my foot, which I was loathe to move, for since God sent the brick, it would do me no good to move my foot and so avoid his will.
But I would say the best way to avoid the plague and to survive would be to leave the city, as many did, when the signs of the plague came, for in this way, many survived who would not have, by the grace of God, for though God created the plague, which cannot be hoped to be avoided, we are no Mahometans who believe our lives predetermined.
But, the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
I rejoice that God sent this plague to kill so many unpleasant people, viz. heathens and unbelievers and thieves and the greedy, for surely God sent the plague for this purpose, and would not have allowed to live any who so deserved death, viz heathens, unbelievers, thieves, and the greedy.
Though it was difficult to go to church, for so many of the priests had died, and so many of those who came in and prayed for their lives, and their families lives, which was the best thing they could do, even though the plague travels on the breath and to be in church is very dangerous for this reason, doubtless God spared the good people who deserved life, viz. kind and gentle people.
Now I must tell you a sad story about a man who I knew to be extremely generous and pious, and whose wife was chaste and always kind, and who had two infant children. The children both died of the plague, followed by the wife, who did not even know she had it, and then he was driven to madness by the plague and ran through the streets naked and babbling, before he also died. I feel it was necessary to relate this story, for there are many such like it, and though I cannot declare it's veracity myself, it seems so likely that I must needs include it here, viz. it is a worthy story.
And I should say that the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
There are some physicians who say that the disease can be detected by taking a microscope to the exhalation of a victim, whereupon will be seen many tiny monsters, viz. dragons, snakes, and devils, and that these enter the blood and lay many eggs which pass the disease along, but I think this most ridiculous and unlikely, and only include it because some have said it.
Some poor, ignorant folks went to fortune tellers or other such liars and payed monies to have certain rituals performed or symbols given which were meant to protect them, viz. pins or necklaces said to be good luck or proof against disease, which was most foolish and it is a shame that such folk took advantage of the poor in this way.
Luckily, most of the poor took faith in the church, wearing crosses or invoking saints and praying each day and night to be spared, which I am certain the greater part were.
But I should not end this account without first speaking of a certain crime: the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
But I would say the best way to avoid the plague and to survive would be to leave the city, as many did, when the signs of the plague came, for in this way, many survived who would not have, by the grace of God, for though God created the plague, which cannot be hoped to be avoided, we are no Mahometans who believe our lives predetermined.
But, the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
I rejoice that God sent this plague to kill so many unpleasant people, viz. heathens and unbelievers and thieves and the greedy, for surely God sent the plague for this purpose, and would not have allowed to live any who so deserved death, viz heathens, unbelievers, thieves, and the greedy.
Though it was difficult to go to church, for so many of the priests had died, and so many of those who came in and prayed for their lives, and their families lives, which was the best thing they could do, even though the plague travels on the breath and to be in church is very dangerous for this reason, doubtless God spared the good people who deserved life, viz. kind and gentle people.
Now I must tell you a sad story about a man who I knew to be extremely generous and pious, and whose wife was chaste and always kind, and who had two infant children. The children both died of the plague, followed by the wife, who did not even know she had it, and then he was driven to madness by the plague and ran through the streets naked and babbling, before he also died. I feel it was necessary to relate this story, for there are many such like it, and though I cannot declare it's veracity myself, it seems so likely that I must needs include it here, viz. it is a worthy story.
And I should say that the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
There are some physicians who say that the disease can be detected by taking a microscope to the exhalation of a victim, whereupon will be seen many tiny monsters, viz. dragons, snakes, and devils, and that these enter the blood and lay many eggs which pass the disease along, but I think this most ridiculous and unlikely, and only include it because some have said it.
Some poor, ignorant folks went to fortune tellers or other such liars and payed monies to have certain rituals performed or symbols given which were meant to protect them, viz. pins or necklaces said to be good luck or proof against disease, which was most foolish and it is a shame that such folk took advantage of the poor in this way.
Luckily, most of the poor took faith in the church, wearing crosses or invoking saints and praying each day and night to be spared, which I am certain the greater part were.
But I should not end this account without first speaking of a certain crime: the Lord Mayor should not have locked people with the plague up in their houses, for this was a cruel thing, and I think many died who had no reason to from this expedient, viz. by being trapped with others who were diseased or suffering ill health from the close air.
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Reading Progress
August 4, 2007
– Shelved
August 16, 2011
–
Started Reading
August 17, 2011
– Shelved as:
uk-and-ireland
September 14, 2011
– Shelved as:
reviewed
September 14, 2011
– Shelved as:
plague
September 14, 2011
–
Finished Reading
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Rea
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Oct 10, 2023 03:40PM
See, a lot of these areas are copied and pasted (whole hallways and rooms) so it gets a little confusing.
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