ed, it often happened that they broke out of their
_Imprisonment_, either by getting out at Windows, _&c._ or by bribing
the Watchmen at their Doors; and sometimes even by murdering them. Hence
in the Nights, people were often met running about the Streets, with
hideous _Shrieks_ of _Horror_ and _Despair_, quite _Distracted_, either
from the violence of the Fever, or from the Terrors of Mind, into which
they were thrown by the daily Deaths they saw of their nearest
Relations.

IN these miserable Circumstances, many ran away, and when they had
escaped, either went to their Friends in the Country, or built Hutts or
Tents for themselves in the open Fields, or got on board Ships lying in
the River. A few also were saved by keeping their Houses close from all
communication with their Neighbours[77].

AND it must be observed, that whenever popular Clamours prevailed so
far, as to procure some Release for the _Sick_, this was remarkably
followed with an Abatement of the Disease. The _Plague_ in the Year 1636
began with great Violence; but leave being given by the King's Authority
for People to quit their Houses, it was observed, That _not one in
twenty of the well Persons removed fell sick, nor one in ten of the Sick
died_[78]. Which single Instance alone, had there been no other, should
have been of Weight ever after to have determined the Magistracy against
too strict Confinements. But besides this, a preceding _Plague_, _viz._
in the Year 1625, affords us another Instance of a very remarkable
Decrease upon the discontinuing to _shut up_ Houses. It was indeed so
late in the Year, before this was done, that the near Approach of Winter
was doubtless one Reason for the Diminution of the Disease, which
followed: Yet this was so very great, that it is at least past dispute,
that the Liberty then permitted was no Impediment to it. For this
_opening_ of the Houses was allowed of in the beginning of _September_:
and whereas the last Week in _August_, there died no less than four
thousand two hundred and eighteen, the very next Week the _Burials_ were
diminished to three thousand three hundred and forty four; and in no
longer time than to the fourth Week after, to eight hundred and fifty
two[79].

SINCE therefore the Management in former Times neither answers the
Purpose of _discovering the Beginning_ of the _Infection_, nor of
putting a stop to it when _discovered_, other Measures are certainly to
be taken; which, I think, should