n to the country of the resolution of the people of London to
come out by force, not only for relief, but to plunder and rob; that
they ran about the streets with the distemper upon them without any
control; and that no care was taken to shut up houses, and confine the
sick people from infecting others; whereas, to do the Londoners justice,
they never practised such things, except in such particular cases as I
have mentioned above, and such like. On the other hand, everything was
managed with so much care, and such excellent order was observed in the
whole city and suburbs by the care of the Lord Mayor and aldermen and
by the justices of the peace, church-wardens, &c., in the outparts,
that London may be a pattern to all the cities in the world for the good
government and the excellent order that was everywhere kept, even in
the time of the most violent infection, and when the people were in the
utmost consternation and distress. But of this I shall speak by itself.

One thing, it is to be observed, was owing principally to the prudence
of the magistrates, and ought to be mentioned to their honour: viz., the
moderation which they used in the great and difficult work of shutting
up of houses. It is true, as I have mentioned, that the shutting up of
houses was a great subject of discontent, and I may say indeed the only
subject of discontent among the people at that time; for the confining
the sound in the same house with the sick was counted very terrible, and
the complaints of people so confined were very grievous. They were heard
into the very streets, and they were sometimes such that called for
resentment, though oftener for compassion. They had no way to converse
with any of their friends but out at their windows, where they would
make such piteous lamentations as often moved the hearts of those they
talked with, and of others who, passing by, heard their story; and as
those complaints oftentimes reproached the severity, and sometimes the
insolence, of the watchmen placed at their doors, those watchmen would
answer saucily enough, and perhaps be apt to affront the people who
were in the street talking to the said families; for which, or for their
ill-treatment of the families, I think seven or eight of them in several
places were killed; I know not whether I should say murdered or not,
because I cannot enter into the particular cases. It is true the
watchmen were on their duty, and acting in the post where they were