In the next place, of what part soever you heard the story, the
particulars were always the same, especially that of laying a wet double
clout on a dying man's face, and that of smothering a young gentlewoman;
so that it was apparent, at least to my judgement, that there was more
of tale than of truth in those things.

However, I cannot say but it had some effect upon the people, and
particularly that, as I said before, they grew more cautious whom they
took into their houses, and whom they trusted their lives with, and had
them always recommended if they could; and where they could not
find such, for they were not very plenty, they applied to the parish
officers.

But here again the misery of that time lay upon the poor who, being
infected, had neither food or physic, neither physician or apothecary
to assist them, or nurse to attend them. Many of those died calling for
help, and even for sustenance, out at their windows in a most miserable
and deplorable manner; but it must be added that whenever the cases of
such persons or families were represented to my Lord Mayor they always
were relieved.

It is true, in some houses where the people were not very poor, yet
where they had sent perhaps their wives and children away, and if they
had any servants they had been dismissed;--I say it is true that to
save the expenses, many such as these shut themselves in, and not having
help, died alone.

A neighbour and acquaintance of mine, having some money owing to
him from a shopkeeper in Whitecross Street or thereabouts, sent his
apprentice, a youth about eighteen years of age, to endeavour to get the
money. He came to the door, and finding it shut, knocked pretty hard;
and, as he thought, heard somebody answer within, but was not sure, so
he waited, and after some stay knocked again, and then a third time,
when he heard somebody coming downstairs.

At length the man of the house came to the door; he had on his breeches
or drawers, and a yellow flannel waistcoat, no stockings, a pair of
slipped-shoes, a white cap on his head, and, as the young man said,
'death in his face'.

When he opened the door, says he, 'What do you disturb me thus for?' The
boy, though a little surprised, replied, 'I come from such a one, and
my master sent me for the money which he says you know of.' 'Very well,
child,' returns the living ghost; 'call as you go by at Cripplegate
Church, and bid them ring the bell'; and with these words shut the