upon its way, the cart
proceeded to one of the great pits dug in the parish churchyards of
Aldgate and Whitechapel, or in Finsbury Fields close by the Artillery
Ground. These, measuring about forty feet in length, eighteen in
breadth, and twenty in depth, were destined to receive scores of bodies
irrespective of creed or class. The carts being brought to these dark
and weirdsome gulphs, looking all the blacker from the flickering lights
of candles and garish gleams of lanterns placed beside them, the bodies,
without rite or ceremony, were shot into them, and speedily covered with
clay. For the accomplishment of this sad work night was found too brief.
And what lent additional horror to the circumstances of these burials
was, that those engaged in this duty would occasionally drop lifeless
during their labour. So that it sometimes happened the dead-carts were
found without driver, linkman, or bell-man. And it was estimated that
the parish of Stepney alone lost one hundred and sixteen gravediggers
and sextons within that year.

During the month of September, the pestilence raged with increased fury;
and it now seemed as if the merciless distemper would never cease whilst
a single inhabitant remained in the city. The lord mayor, having found
all remedies to stay its progress utterly fail, by advice of the
medical faculty, ordered that great fires should be kindled in certain
districts, by way of purifying the air, Accordingly, two hundred
chaldrons of coal, at four pounds a chaldron, were devoted to this
purpose. At first the fires were with great difficulty made to burn,
through the scarcity, it was believed, of oxygen in the atmosphere; but
once kindled, they continued blazing for three days and three nights,
when a heavy downpour of rain falling they were extinguished. The
following night death carried off four thousand souls, and the
experiment of these cleansing fires was discontinued. All through this
month fear and tribulation continued; the death rate, from the 5th of
September to the 3rd of October, amounting to twenty-four thousand one
hundred and seventy-one.

During October, the weather being cool and dry, the pestilence gave
promise of rapid decrease. Hope came to the people, and was received
with eager greeting. Once more windows were unshuttered, doors were
opened, and the more venturous walked abroad. The great crisis had
passed. In the middle of the month Mr. Pepys travelled on foot to the
Tower, and rec