The Plague at Marseilles Consider'd Part 1

The Plague at Ma.r.s.eilles Consider'd.

by Richard Bradley.

PREFACE.

_There would be little Occasion for a Preface to this Treatise, if the last Foreign Advices had not given us something particular relating to the Pestilence that now rages in the South Parts of_ France; _and what may more particularly recommend these Relations to the World, is, because they come from Physicians, who resided at the Infected Places._

The Physician at _Aix_ gives us the following Account.

_The Contagious Distemper, which has become the Reproach of our Faculty here for above a Month past, is more violent than that at_ Ma.r.s.eilles; _it breaks out in Carbuncles, Buboes, livid Blisters, and purple Spots; the first Symptoms are grievous Pains in the Head, Consternations, wild Looks, a trembling Voice, a cadaverous Face, a Coldness in all the extreme Parts, a low unequal Pulse, great Pains in the Stomach, Reachings to Vomit, and these are follow'd by Sleepiness, Deliriums, Convulsions, or Fluxes of Blood, the Forerunners of sudden Death. In the Bodies that are open'd, we find gangrenous Inflammations in all the lower Parts of the Belly, Breast and Neck. Above fifty Persons have died every Day for three Weeks past in the Town and Hospitals. Most of them fall into a dreadful Phrenzy, so that we are forc'd to tie them._

_The other is a Letter from a Physician at_ Ma.r.s.eilles, _sent to_ John Wheake, _Esq; who was so kind to give me the Abstract._

Ma.r.s.eilles _Sept._ 15. 1720.

Sir,

I Arriv'd here the 8_th_, and enter'd the Gate of _Aix_ which leads to the _Cours_, which has always been esteem'd one of the most pleasant Prospects in the Kingdom, but that Day was a very dismal Spectacle to me; all that great Place, both on the Right and Left, was fill'd with Dead, Sick, and Dying Persons. The Carts were continually employ'd in going and returning to carry away the Dead Carca.s.ses, of which there were that Day above four Thousand. The Town was without Bread, without Wine, without Meat, without Medicines, and in general, without any Succours.

The Father abandon'd the Child, and the Son the Father; the Husband the Wife, and the Wife the Husband; and those who had not a House to themselves, lay upon Quilts in the Streets and the Pavements; all the Streets were fill'd with Cloaths and Houshold-Goods, strew'd with Dead Dogs and Cats, which made an insupportable Stench. Meat was Sold at 18 to 20 _Sous per_ Pound, and was only distributed to those that had Billets from the Consuls: This, Sir, was the miserable State of this City at that Time, but at present, Things have a better appearance; Monsieur _le Marquis de Langeron_, who Commands here, has caused the Dead to be Buried, the Cloaths and Goods to be burnt, and the Shops to be open'd, for the Sustenance of the Publick.

Two Hospitals are prepar'd where they carry all the Sick of the Town, good Orders are daily re-establish'd, and the Obligation is chiefly owing to Monsieur _de Langeron_, who does Wonders. However, there is not any Divine Service Celebrated, nor are there any Confessors. The People die, and are buried without any Ceremonies of the Church; But the Bishop, with an undaunted Courage, goes thro' the Streets, and into Publick Places, accompanied with a Jesuit and one Ecclesiastick, to Exhort the Dying, and to give them Absolution; and he distributes his Charity very largely. The Religious Order have almost all perish'd, and the Fathers of the Oratory are not exempt; it is accounted, that there have died 50000 Persons. One thing very particular is, that Monsieur _Moustier_, one of the Consuls of the City, who has been continually on Horseback ordering the Slaves who carried away the Dead in Carts, or those that were Sick, to the Hospitals, enjoys his Health as well as he did the first Day he began; the Sickness seems at present to abate, and we have the Satisfaction to see several whom we took under our Care at the Beginning of the Sickness, promise fair towards a Recovery. The Sickness however, is of a very extraordinary Nature, and the Observations we have in our Authors, have scarce any Agreement with what we find in this: It is the a.s.sistance of Heaven we ought to implore, and to wait for a Blessing from thence upon our Labours.

I am, _&c._

_We may observe, that the Contagion now spreading it self in Foreign Parts, has nearly the same Symptoms that were observ'd in the late Plague at_ London; _so that what Medicines were then used with good Success, may direct not only the People of_ England _in the way of Practice, if_ G.o.d _Almighty should please to afflict us with that dreadful Distemper, but be serviceable likewise to the Infected Places abroad. There is room enough to hope, the approaching Cold, which we naturally expect at this Season, may prevent its spreading amongst us for some Months, 'till the Air begins to warm, but the Seeds of that Venom may be brought over in Merchandizes even in the coldest Months, and according to the Nature of Insects will not hatch, or appear to our Prejudice, 'till the hotter Seasons. For to suppose this Malignant Distemper is occasion'd by Vapours only arising from the Earth, is to lay aside our Reason, as I think I have already shewn in my_ New Improvements of Planting, _&c. to which my Reader may refer._

_I suppose there may be such Persons in the World who do not agree with the Hypothesis I have laid down in the following Sheets, altho' many Learned Authors have supported it; and again, I expect others to Except against the Concise way I have taken, in writing upon a Subject, which at this time ought to be set in the plainest Light; but as I found the Danger of Pestilence spreading it self more and more every Day, a true Lover of his Country could not be easie without giving the Publick some Hints to prevent its dismal Effects, and at the same time to engage the Learned to write upon such an Occasion._

_And it is with Pleasure I observe, that since the former Editions of this small Tract has been made publick, our Learned Physicians are dispos'd to consider the necessary Means to prevent (as far as in them lies) the spreading of this Calamity, and justly deserve the favour of the Publick._

_For my own part, I can only say, that the short time I had to put this Work together, would not allow me to give it with that exactness, that I would have done, if I could have had more Leisure._

THE PLAGUE AT _Ma.r.s.eILLES_ CONSIDER'D, _&c._

The Deplorable Condition of the _Ma.r.s.eillians_, and the Danger that all the Trading Parts of _Europe_ are now in, of being Infected by the Plague which rages in the _South_ Parts of _France_, and every Day spreads it self more and more over the Neighbouring Countries, gives me occasion to Publish some Papers which would never have otherwise appeared in the World.

When I consider the melancholy Circ.u.mstances of the People at _Ma.r.s.eilles_ and other infected Places, how they are now divested of Relief, and brought into that miserable State, that even every Man is terrified at the Approach of his dearest Friend, and the very Aspect of our Neighbours strike such Horror and Confusion in us, as if they brought our Death and Destruction with them; it is then surely time for every one to contribute all that in him lies to prevent the Progress of so _direful a Calamity_.

The good Counsels of our Nation, therefore, to prevent as much as possible the Infection which might be brought among us by Merchandizes coming from Infected Places, have wisely order'd strict Quarentine to be perform'd, before either the Sailors or Goods can be brought ash.o.a.r.

The Neighbouring Nations of Trade, have follow'd our Example, but the _Hollanders_ in an extraordinary manner, have even order'd the Burning the very s.h.i.+ps and Goods coming from _Ma.r.s.eilles_, and have been so cautious, as to suffer none of the Pa.s.sengers to come on Sh.o.a.r, without first being dis-rob'd of all their Apparel, and even to be well wash'd with Sea Water, and then likewise to perform Quarentine in a little Island, remote from the Inhabitants. I could mention many Relations we have had, of the Sufferings of the poor People belonging to _Ma.r.s.eilles_, who to avoid the dismal Consequence of the Plague, have flown for Refuge into the Country, and have either been starv'd to Death, or Murder'd by the Country People; but yet we find, that notwithstanding all these Precautions, that Pestilence continues to destroy as much as ever, and makes it Advances every Day more towards us.

It is computed, that about 60000 are Dead of the Plague at _Ma.r.s.eilles_; and that there are now (_October 20. N. S._) above 14000, Persons left in that Town, including 10000 Sick; and at _Aubagne_, out of 10000 who retir'd thither from _Ma.r.s.eilles_, above 9000 are Dead.

On this sad Occasion of the Ruin of _Ma.r.s.eilles_ especially since there is talk of Burning that Town, it may not be unseasonable to give an Account of it.

'_Ma.r.s.eilles_ is one of the most considerable Cities in _France_, and the most Populous and most trading Town of all _Provance_. It is so Antient, that it is reckon'd to have been Built upwards of Six Hundred and Thirty Years before the Birth of our Saviour. It was once a very flouris.h.i.+ng Republick; and its University was in such Esteem, as drew Students thither from all Parts of _Europe_.

'_Ma.r.s.eilles_ is situate at the Foot of a Hill, which rises in the Form of an Amphitheatre in proportion to its Distance from the Sea.

The Harbour is Oval, and bounded by a Key about fourteen hundred Paces long, upon which stand the handsomest Houses in the Town. It affords a very delightful Walk, Part whereof is taken up in the Day time by the working Gally-Slaves Stalls, where you may furnish your self with Cloaths and other Necessaries; the Entrance of the Harbour is shut up by a Chain supported at certain Distances by three Stone-Pillars; so that only one large s.h.i.+p can pa.s.s at a time, tho'

the Haven will contain about Five hundred. And hither are brought all sorts of Commodities from all Parts of the known World.

'The Cathedral Church, call'd _Notre Dame la Majeure_, whereof S.

_Lazarus_ is Patron, is very Solemn. It was formerly a Temple dedicated to _Venus_, or to _Diana_ of _Ephesus_. Its Form is Irregular; but it was not thought proper to add or diminish any thing. There remain several large Columns, on which stood the Idol.

The Treasure of this Church is very Rich. Here you see the Head of S.

_Lazarus_, that of S. _Connat_, a Foot of S. _Victor_, and many other Relicks. Near the Cathedral, is a Chappel built upon the Spot where (the _Ma.r.s.eillians_ tell you) S. _Mary Magdalen_ preached the Gospel to the Idolaters, as they came out of the Temple.

'_Notre Dame des Acoules_ is also a fine large Church, which was formerly a Temple sacred to the G.o.ddess _Pallas_. In that of S.

_Martin_, which is Collegiate and Parochial, is preserv'd a Silver Image of the blessed Virgin, five Foot and half high, the Crown and Ornaments whereof are very rich. The Church of S. _Saviour_, now belonging to a Nunnery, was anciently a Temple of _Apollo_. All these Places are so many Proofs of the Antiquity of _Ma.r.s.eilles_, as well as two other Temples near the Port, with two Towers, _viz._ that of S. _John_, which is a Commandry of the Knights of _Malta_, and that of S. _Nicolas_.

'The Abby of S. _Victor_, of the Order of S. _Benedict_, is situate at the Foot of the Citadel. It resembles a Castle, being encompa.s.s'd with Walls, and set off with Towers. At the Front of the Church are these Words address'd to S. _Victor_,

_Ma.s.siliam vere Victor civesque tuere._

'In a Chappel on one side of the Epistle, you see the Head of that Saint, in a Shrine of Silver guilt, finely wrought, which was given by Pope _Urban_ V. whose Tomb is on one side of the Choir; there are many other Relicks in this Church. You then descend a large Stair-Case into the Church under Ground, where the Chappels visited by the Curious, are full of Holy Bodies. There they shew you the Tomb of S. _Eusebius_, and those of forty five Virgins who disfigur'd themselves to terrifie the Vandals who put them to Death. Here also you see St. _Andrew_'s Cross entire, the Branches whereof are seven Foot long and eight Inches Diameter. In one of these subterraneous Chappels is a little Grotto, wherein S. _Mary Magdalen_ (they tell you,) upon her Landing at _Ma.r.s.eilles_ began to do Pennance. They add, that she Inhabited it six or Seven Years: Her Statue likewise is represented, lying at the entrance of this Grotto. There is also a rich Chappel of our Lady, wherein no Women are permitted to enter.

This Order was made, upon the Vulgar Notion, of a Queen's being struck Blind, who had the Temerity to venture into it.

'In _Ma.r.s.eilles_ you observe likewise the Monasteries and Churches of the _Carthusians_, the Monks of St. _Anthony_, the _Trinitarians_, _Jacobins_, _Augustins_, Barefooted _Augustins_, _Carmelites_, Barefooted _Carmelites_, _Cordeliers_, _Observantins_, _Servites_, _Minims_, _Capuchins_, _Recollects_, _de la Mercy_, _Feuillans_, _Jesuites_, Fathers of the _Oratory_, and of the _Mission_. There are also _Benedictine_ Nuns, _Dominicans_, Nuns of S. _Clare_, _Capuchins_, _Carmelites_, _Bernardines_, _Urselins_, Nuns of the Visitation of Mercy, and of the good Shepherd or Repentance; and a Commandry of _Malta_.

'The Citadel of _Ma.r.s.eilles_ is near the Port, extending its Fortifications to the Entrance of the same; and yet it commands the Town. The Key which lines this side of the Harbour, from Fort S.

_Nicolas_ to the a.r.s.enal, is about fifteen hundred Paces long, and is adorned with handsome Ware-Houses and Dwelling-Houses: Here is the great Hospital for Sick Slaves, which was formerly the a.r.s.enal before the New one was built. Six large Pavilions, as many main Houses, and a great square Place big enough to build several Galleys at a time in, form the Design of it. In this Place are two large Basons, as long and as deep as a Galley, in each of which, when a Galley is ready to launch, they open a small Sluice which kept up the Sea Water.

'This great Building makes one entire Front of the Port, three hundred Paces in Length; the Harbour of _Ma.r.s.eilles_, is thirteen hundred Paces long, and the Circ.u.mference about three Thousand four hundred and fifty Paces. The Streets of the old Town are long, but narrow; and those of the New are s.p.a.cious, and well Built. The chief, is that they call _le Cours_, which is near forty Paces broad, in the middle of which is a Walk, planted with four Rows of young Elms, which, with the Keys, are the Places of publick Resort.

'The Town-House which they call _La Loge_, is situate upon the Key over against the Galleys. Below is a large Hall, which serves the Merchants and Sea-faring Men for an Exchange; and above Stairs the Consuls, Town-Councellors, and others concerned in the Civil Administration have their Meeting. The most valuable Piece in this Building, is the City Arms in the Front, Carved by the famous _Puget_.

'_Ma.r.s.eilles_ seems still to retain somewhat of the ancient Government, of its four Courts, being divided into four Quarters, viz. S. _John_, _Cavaillon_, _Corps de ville_ and _Blancaire_; each of which hath its Governors and other Officers. The _Porte Royalle_ is well Adorned, having on one side the Figure of S. _Lazarus_, and on the other, that of S. _Victor_. And in the middle is a Busto of _Lewis_ XIV. with this Inscription over it, _Sub cujus imperio summa libertas_.

'The Town is encompa.s.s'd by good Walls, and a Tetragon which commands a Part of it, is the best of the two Citadels, and within Cannon Shot of a Fort call'd _Notre Dame de la Garde_, whither the Inhabitants frequently go to pay their private Devotion, and from whence they discover s.h.i.+ps at Sea at a great Distance. This Fort is built on the top of a Mountain, upon the Ruins of an ancient Temple of _Venus_, called _Ephesium_.

The Country about this City is low and open for two Miles, agreeably adorn'd with Villas, Vineyards, and Gardens of Fig-Trees, and Orange-Trees, with plenty of Water from a good Spring, which being divided into several Branches serves to furnish the City.

As to the Inhabitants, they are for the most part Poor and uncleanly, and chiefly Eaters of Fruit, Herbs, and Roots with such like meagre Fare, nor do they take any Pains to clean the Streets where the meaner Sort have their Habitation. Their Bread is very coa.r.s.e and high priz'd; and perhaps what has princ.i.p.ally contributed to the Progress of the Plague among them, was the great Numbers of those which Lodged together in the same House, as I shall explain hereafter; when I have examin'd the State of _London_, when it suffer'd by the Plague in the Year 1665.

_London_, at the time of the Plague, 1665 was, perhaps, as much crouded with People as I suppose _Ma.r.s.eilles_ to have been when the Plague begun; the Streets of _London_ were, in the time of the Pestilence, very narrow, and, as I am inform'd, unpaved for the most part; the Houses by continu'd Jetts one Story above another, made them almost meet at the Garrets, so that the Air within the Streets was pent up, and had not a due Freedom of Pa.s.sage, to purifie it self as it ought; the Food of the People was then much less invigorating than in these Days; Foreign Drugs were but little in Use, and even _Canary_ Wine was the highest Cordial the People would venture upon; for Brandy, some Spices, and hot spirituous Liquors were then not in Fas.h.i.+on; and at that time Sea-Coal was hardly in Use, but their firing was of Wood; and, for the most part, Chestnut, which was then the chief Furniture of the Woods about _London_, and in such Quant.i.ty, that the greatest Efforts were made by the Proprietors, to prevent the Importation of _Newcastle_-Coal, which they represented as an unwholsome Firing, but, I suppose, princ.i.p.ally, because it would hinder the Sale of their Wood; for the generality of Men were (I imagine) as they are now, more for their own Interest than for the common Good.

The Year 1665 was the last that we can say the Plague raged in _London_, which might happen from the Destruction of the City by Fire, the following Year 1666, and besides the Destroying the Eggs, or Seeds, of those poisonous Animals, that were then in the stagnating Air, might likewise purifie that Air in such a Manner, as to make it unfit for the Nurishment of others of the same Kind, which were swimming or driving in the Circ.u.mambient Air: And again, the Care that was taken to enlarge the Streets at their Rebuilding, and the keeping them clean after they were rebuilt, might greatly contribute to preserve the Town from Pestilence ever since.

But it was not only in the Year 1665 that the Plague raged in _London_, we have Accounts in the Bills of Mortality, of that dreadful Distemper in the Years 1592, 1603, 1625, 1630 and 1636, in which Years we may observe how many died Weekly of the Plague, and Remark how much more that Distemper raged in the hot Months, than in the others, and serve at the same time as a Memorandum to the Curious.