No words can describe the terror and dismay caused by this the most destructive plague of which there is any record in history.No remedies were of the slightest avail against it; flight was impossible, for the loneliest hamlets suffered as severely as crowded towns, and frequently not a single survivor was left.Men met the pestilence in various moods: the brave with fortitude, the pious with resignation, the cowardly and turbulent with outbursts of despair and fury.Among the lower classes the wildest rumours gained credence.Some assigned the pestilence to witchcraft, others declared that the waters of the wells and streams had been poisoned.Serious riots occurred in many places, and great numbers of people fell victims to the fury of the mob under the suspicion of being connected in some way with the ravages of the pestilence.The Jews, ever the objects of popular hostility, engendered by ignorance and superstition, were among the chief sufferers.Bands of marauders wandered through the country plundering the houses left empty by the death of all their occupants, and from end to end death and suffering were universal.
Although all classes had suffered heavily the ravages of the disease were, as is always the case, greater among the poor than among the rich, the insanitary conditions of their life, and their coarser and commoner food rendering them more liable to its influence; no rank, however, was exempted, and no less than three Archbishops of Canterbury were carried off in succession by the pestilence within a year of its appearance.
During the months which succeeded his marriage Sir Walter Somers lived quietly and happily with his wife at Westerham.It was not until late in the year that the plague approached the neighbourhood.Walter had determined to await its approach there.He had paid a few short visits to the court, where every effort was made by continuous gaiety to keep up the spirits of the people and prevent them from brooding over the approaching pestilence; but when it was at hand Walter and his wife agreed that they would rather share the lot of their tenants, whom their presence and example might support and cheer in their need, than return to face it in London.One morning when they were at breakfast a frightened servant brought in the news that the disease had appeared in the village, that three persons had been taken ill on the previous night, that two had already died, and that several others had sickened.
"The time has come, my children," Dame Vernon said calmly, "the danger so long foreseen is at hand, now let us face it as we agreed to do.It has been proved that flight is useless, since nowhere is there escape from the plague; here, at least, there shall be no repetition of the terrible scenes we have heard of elsewhere, where the living have fled in panic and allowed the stricken to die unattended.We have already agreed that we will set the example to our people by ourselves going down and administering to the sick.""It is hard," Walter said, rising and pacing up and down the room, "to let Edith go into it.""Edith will do just the same as you do," his wife said firmly."Were it possible that all in this house might escape, there might be a motive for turning coward, but seeing that no household is spared, there is, as we agreed, greater danger in flying from the pestilence than facing it firmly."Walter sighed.
"You are right," he said, "but it wrings my heart to see you place yourself in danger.""Were we out of danger here, Walter, it might be so," Edith replied gently;"but since there is no more safety in the castle than in the cottage, we must face death whether it pleases us or not, and it were best to do so bravely.""So be it," Walter said; "may the God of heaven watch over us all! Now, mother, do you and Edith busy yourselves in preparing broths, strengthening drinks, and medicaments.I will go down at once to the village and see how matters stand there and who are in need.We have already urged upon all our people to face the danger bravely, and if die they must, to die bravely like Christians, and not like coward dogs.When you have prepared your soups and cordials come down and meet me in the village, bringing Mabel and Janet, your attendants, to carry the baskets."Ralph, who was now installed as major-domo in the castle, at once set out with Walter.They found the village in a state of panic.Women were sitting crying despairingly at their doors.Some were engaged in packing their belongings in carts preparatory to flight, some wandered aimlessly about wringing their hands, while others went to the church, whose bells were mournfully tolling the dirge of the departed.Walter's presence soon restored something like order and confidence; his resolute tone cheered the timid and gave hope to the despairing.Sternly he rebuked those preparing to fly, and ordered them instantly to replace their goods in their houses.
Then he went to the priest and implored him to cause the tolling of the bell to cease.
"There is enough," he said, "in the real danger present to appall even the bravest, and we need no bell to tell us that death is among us.The dismal tolling is enough to unnerve the stoutest heart, and if we ring for all who die its sounds will never cease while the plague is among us; therefore, father, I implore you to discontinue it.Let there be services held daily in the church, but I beseech you strive in your discourses to cheer the people rather than to depress them, and to dwell more upon the joys that await those who die as Christian men and women than upon the sorrows of those who remain behind.My wife and mother will anon be down in the village and will strive to cheer and comfort the people, and I look to you for aid in this matter."The priest, who was naturally a timid man, nevertheless nerved himself to carry out Walter's suggestions, and soon the dismal tones of the bell ceased to be heard in the village.
