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rst 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 records his impressions。 〃Lord；〃 he says； 〃how empty the streets are and melancholy； so many poor sick people in the streets full of sores； and so many sad stories overheard as I walk； everybody talking of this dead； and that man sick； and so many in this place； and so many in that。 And they tell me that in Westminster there is never a physician and but one apothecary left； all being dead； but that there are great hopes of a decrease this week。 God send it。〃
The while； trade being discontinued； those who had lived by commerce or labour were supported by charity。 To this good purpose the king contributed a thousand pounds per week； and Dr。 Sheldon； Archbishop of Canterburywho remained at Lambeth during the whole timeby letters to his bishops； caused great sums to be collected throughout the country and remitted to him for this laudable purpose。 Nor did those of position or wealth fail in responding to calls made upon them at this time； their contributions being substantial enough to permit the lord mayor to distribute upwards of one hundred thousand pounds a week amongst the poor and afflicted for several 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