royalty restored-第33章
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veral 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。 And those who had fled the plague…stricken city returned to find a scene of desolation； greater in its misery than words can describe。 But the tide of human existence having once turned； the capital gradually resumed its former appearance。 Shops which had been closed were opened afresh； houses whose inmates had been carried to the grave became again centres of activity； the sound of traffic was heard in streets long silent； church bells called the citizens to prayer； marts were crowded； and people wore an air of cheerfulness becoming the survivors of a calamity。 And so all things went on as before。
The mortality bills computed the number of burials which took place in London during this year at ninety…seven thousand three hundred and six； of which sixty…eight thousand five hundred find ninety…six were attributed to the plague。 This estimate has been considered by all historians as erroneous。 For on the first appearance of the distemper； the number of deaths set down was far below that which truth warranted； in order that the citizens might not be affrighted； and when it was at its height no exact account of those shifted from the dead…carts into the pits was taken。 Moreover； many were buried by their friends in fields and gardens。 Lord Clarendon； an excellent authority； states that though the weekly bills reckoned the number of deaths at about one hundred thousand； yet 〃many who could compute very well； concluded that there were in truth double that number who died； and that in one week； when the bill mentioned only six thousand； there had in truth fourteen thousand died。〃
CHAPTER XII。
A cry of fire by night。Fright and confusion。The lord mayor is unmanned。Spread of the flames。Condition of the streets。 Distressful scenes。Destruction of the Royal Exchange。Efforts of the king and Duke of York。Strange rumours and alarms。St。 Paul's is doomed。The flames checked。A ruined city as seen by day and night。Wretched state of the people。Investigation into the origin of the fire。A new city arises。
Scarcely had the city of London recovered from the dire effects of the plague； ere a vast fire laid it waste。 It happened on the 2nd of September； 1666； that at two o'clock in the morning； the day being Sunday； smoke and flames were seen issuing from the shop of a baker named Faryner； residing in Pudding Lane； close by Fish Street； in the lower part of the city。 The house being built of wood； and coated with pitch； as were likewise those surrounding it； and moreover containing faggots； dried logs； and other combustible materials； the fire spread with great rapidity： so that in a short time not only the baker's premises； but the homesteads which stood next it on either side were in flames。
Accordingly； the watchman's lusty cry of 〃Fire； fire； fire！〃 which had roused the baker and his family in good time to save their lives； was now shouted down the streets with consternation； startling sleepers from their dreams； and awaking them to a sense of peril。 Thereon they rose promptly from their beds； and hastily throwing on some clothes； rushed out to rescue their neighbours' property from destruction； and subdue the threatening conflagration。
And speedily was heard the tramp of many feet hurrying to the scene； and the shouting of anxious voices crying for help； and presently the bells of St。 Margaret's church close by； ringing with wild uneven peals through the darkness； aroused all far and near to knowledge of the disaster。 For already the flames； fanned by a high easterly wind； and fed by the dry timber of the picturesque old dwellings huddled close together； had spread in four directions。
One of these being Thames Street； the consequence was terrible； for the shops and warehouses of this thoroughfare containing inflammable materials； required for the shipping trade； such as oil； pitch； tar； and rosin； the houses at one side the street were immediately wrapped； from basement to garret； in sheets of angry flame。 And now flaunting its yellow light skywards； as if exulting in its strength； and triumphing in its mastery over men's efforts； the fire rushed to the church of St。 Magnus； a dark solid edifice standing at the foot of London Bridge。 The frightened citizens concluded the conflagration must surely end here； or at least that whilst it endeavoured to consume a dense structure such as this； they might succeed in subduing its force； but their hopes were vain。 At first the flames shot upwards to the tower of the building； but not gaining hold； retreated as if to obtain fresh strength for new efforts； and presently darting forward again； they seized the woodwork of the belfry windows。 A few minutes later the church blazed at every point； and was in itself a colossal conflagration。
From this the fire darted to the bridge； burning the wooden houses built upon it； and the water machines underneath； and likewise creeping up Thames Street； on that side which was yet undemolished。 By this time the bells of many churches rang out in sudden fright； as if appealing to heaven for mercy on behalf of the people； and the whole east end of the town rose up in alarm。 The entire city seemed threatened with destruction； for the weather having long been dry and warm； prepared the homesteads for their fate； and it was noted some of them； when scorched by the approaching fire； ignited before the flames had time to reach them。
Sir Thomas Bludworth； the lord mayor； now arrived in great haste； but so amazed was he at the sight he beheld； and so bewildered by importunities of those who surrounded him； that he was powerless to act。 Indeed； his incapacity to direct； and inability to command； as well as his lack of moral courage； have been heavily and frequently blamed。 Bring a weak man； fearful of outstepping his authority； he at first forebore pulling down houses standing in the pathway of the flames； as suggested to him； a means that would assuredly have prevented their progress； but when urged to this measure would reply； he 〃durst not； without the consent of the owners。〃 And when at last； after great destruction had taken place； word was brought him from the king to 〃spare no house； but pull them down everywhere before the fire；〃 he cried out 〃like a fainting woman；〃 as Pepys recounts； 〃Lord！ what can I do？ I am spent； people will not obey me。〃
Meanwhile； great bodies of the citizens of all classes had been at work； some upon the cumbrous engines； others carrying water； others levelling houses； but all their endeavours seemed powerless to quell the raging flames。 And it was notable when first the pipes in the streets were opened； no water could be found； whereon a messenger was sent to the works at Islington； in order to turn on the cocks； so that much time was lost in this manner。 All through Sunday morning the flames extended far and wide； and in a few hours three hundred houses were reduced to ashes。 Not at midday； nor yet at night； did they give promise of abatement。 The strong easterly wind continuing to blow； the conflagration worked its way to Cannon Street； from thence gradually encompassing the dwellings which lay between that thoroughfare and the Thames； till the whole seemed one vast plain of raging fire。
The streets now presented a scene of the uttermost confusion and distress。 The affrighted citizens； whose dwellings were momentarily threatened with destruction； hurried to and fro； striving to save those of their families who by reason of infancy； age or illness were unable to help themselves。 Women on the eve of child…birth were carried from their beds； mothers with infants clinging to their naked breasts fled from homes which would shelter them no more； the decrepit were borne away on the shoulders of the strong。 The narrow thoroughfares were moreover obstructed by furniture dragged from houses； or lowered from windows with a reckless speed that oftentimes destroyed what it sought to preserve。 Carts； drays； and horses laden with merchandise jostled each other in their hurried way towards the fields outside the city walls。 Men young and vigorous crushed forward with beds or trunks upon their backs； children laboured under the weight of bundles； or rolled barrels of oil； wine； or spirits before them。 And the air； rendered suffocating by smoke and flame； was moreover confused by the crackling of consuming timber； the thunder of falling walls； the crushing of glass； the shrieks of women； and the imprecations of men。
And those who lived near the waterside； or in houses on the bridges； hurried their goods and chattels into boats； barges； and lighters； in which they likewise took refuge。 For the destruction of wharfs and warehouses； containing stores of most inflammable nature； was brief and desperate。 The Thames； now blood…red from reflection of the fierce sky； was covered with craft of all imaginable shape and size。 Showers of sparks blown by the high wind fell into the water with hissing sounds； or on the clothes and faces of the people with disastrous and painful effects； and the smoke and heat were hard to bear。 And it was remarked that flocks of pigeons； which for generations had found shelter in the eaves and roofs of wooden houses by the riverside； were loath to leave their habitations； and probably fearing to venture afar by reason of the unwonted aspect of the angry sky； lingered on the balconies and abutments of deserted houses； until in some cases； the flames enwrapping them； they fell dead into the waters below。
On Sunday evening Gracechurch Street was on fire； and the flames spread onwards till they reached； and in their fury consumed； the Three Cranes in the Vintry。 Night came； but darkness had fled from the city； and for forty miles round all was luminous。 And there were many who in the crimson hue of the heavens； beheld an evidence of God's wrath at the sins of the nation； which it was now acknowledged were many and great。
Throughout Sunday night the fire grew apace； and those who； in the morning had carried their belongings to parts of the city which they believed would by distance ensure safety； were now obliged to move them afresh； the devastation extending for miles。 Therefore many were compelled to renew their labours； thereby suffering further fatigue； and they now trusted to no protection for their property save that which the open fields afforded。 Monday morning came and found the flames yet raging。 Not only Gracechurch Street； but Lombard Street； and part of Fenchurch street； were on fire。 Stately mansions； comfortable homes； warehouses of great name； banks of vast wealth； were reduced to charred and blackened walls or heaps of smoking ruins。 Buildings had been pulled down； but now too late to render service； for the insatiable fire； yet fed by a high wind； had everywhere marched over the dried woodwork and mortar as it lay upon the ground； and communicated itself to the next block of buildings； so that its circumvention was regarded as almost an impossibility。
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