according to the imperial register, are from forty to fifty each
day.

Aug. 1. As the plague now rages violently here, no one thinks of
business or the affairs of this world; but each individual
anticipates that he will be next called away. I send the inclosed,
to be forwarded to Mr. Andrea de Christo, at Amsterdam, to announce
to him the sudden death of his partner, Mr. J. Pacifico, who is
lately dead of the plague. I paid him a visit a few hours before
his death; I met there Don Pedro de Victoria, who was smoking a
segar; he offered me one, and urged me to smoke it. I believe that
the smoke of tobacco is anti-pestilential; this, added to the
precaution of avoiding contact, and inhalation of the breath of the
person infected, appears to be quite sufficient to secure a person
from infection.

Aug. 1. (Translation of a letter to Mr. Andrea de Christi, merchant
at Amsterdam.) We are sorry that the subject of this letter is so
melancholy. All our domestics have left us; the plague rages so
violently here, that the daily mortality is from sixty to seventy,
among which we are sorry to announce the death of your partner, Mr.
J. Pacifico, who died two days since.

August 23. The best gum is selling at Akka for six dollars a
quintal: they will not bring it here, fearing the infection. A
161 large Brazil ship has been wrecked off Cape Noon, her cargo,
consisting for the most part of silks and linens, is estimated at
half a million of dollars. The Arabs of Sahara convert the most
beautiful lace into bridles for their horses, by twisting it; and
superior silk stockings are selling at Wedinoon at a dollar per
dozen pair. The plague is rapidly diminishing from 100 deaths to 20
or 30 per day. Meeman Corcoes is dead, as well as most of the
principal tradesmen of Marocco and Fas; whole families have been
swept off, and there is none left to inherit their property.
Immense droves of horses, mules, and cattle of every description
stray in the plains without owners.

September 5. The plague continues to decrease; and in another month
we expect to be quite free from it. Signor Conton died this morning
of the epidemy; yesterday afternoon he was apparently quite well,
and paid me a visit. He wished me to shake hands with him, which I
declined, alleging a