of the inhabitants. The terror became general, and great numbers fled from the place.

Among those who remained, tumults began also to prevail. Supplies from the country being now suspended, through the dread of infection, the bakers were unable to furnish the usual distribution of bread, and were threatened by the populace. The troops stationed at the fort, not receiving their customary allowances, were on the point of mutiny, and the public chest was nearly exhausted.' Under these circumstances, earnest petitions were addressed to the Regent Duke of Orleans for succours, without which the town must perish. Attempts were also made to relieve the place by sending away the beggars and poor who did not belong to it. But this was now impracticable, as the parliament had just passed a severe edict against the admission of any person coming

Il ne se trouve, pour toutes espèces, que 1100 livres dans la caisse de la communauté.-Vol. i. pp. 42—47.

from Marseilles into any of the towns or places of Provence.'

Till other relief could be obtained, the authorities were therefore compelled to act for themselves. The city engaged to borrow money at any interest, to meet the pressing exigency. A market was opened with the neighbourhood, under a new and safe management. The provisions wanted were brought to certain spots agreed upon, and carried from thence into the town, without the personal approach of those concerned in the traffic. Guards were placed to prevent all needless communication with the more infected parts of the town itself, and commissaries appointed to distribute provisions to them. Companies of militia were also formed to escort the public functionaries in removing the dead and carrying the sick to the in

La Chambre des Vacations du Parlement d'Aix a rendu un arrêt, portant défense aux Marseillais de sortir des limites de leur terroir, &c.; vol. i. 43. Compare vol. ii. pp. 23, 26, 38. See also the Royal Edict, vol. i. pp. 147, 148.

firmaries, and to enforce obedience. A power was also requested from the Crown,' as in former cases of the like nature, to try on the spot, and to punish, any who might be guilty of riotous conduct, or of a violation of the public orders during the calamity.

The number of the sick meanwhile increased, and further assistance was requisite. The more vigorous of the poor were therefore formed into companies for the purpose not only of removing the dead bodies, but of digging deep ditches beyond the walls for a larger and safer interment than could be afforded by the churches. Pest hospitals were also formed. It is observable, that within two days after these were opened for the reception of patients, they were completely filled; and the only relief, if it

The dates of some former plagues at Marseilles are incidentally conveyed through this fact. Les échevins, considérant les désordres qui arrivent souvent en tems de contagion, et que toutes les fois que cette ville a été affligée de la peste, comme en 1580, 1630, 1649, et 1650, nos rois ont toujours octroyé à leurs prédécesseurs, par lettres patentes, le pouvoir de juger de tous crimes, &c.—Vol. i. p. 48.

des

might be so termed, from this inconvenience, was found in the rapidity of the deaths. The hospitals, indeed, became only a sort of restingplaces, momentarily full, and as speedily vacant to receive other brief tenants, destined, in their turn, to cede their room to their hastening

successors.1

Amidst these dangers the mortality among the assistants themselves became also alarming. The country people, who had been hired at high wages, with their carts, to remove the dead bodies, mostly caught the infection and perished; while many of the most active and zealous persons of the place had also died, or were totally exhausted with fatigue. Under these circumstances, it was imagined, that a new and more efficient help might be obtained from the galleys in the harbour. With the per

Le mal est si violent, que ceux qui y entrent le soir, vont le lendemain dans les fosses; et les hopitaux n'étant ainsi qu'un reposoir d'un moment, les morts chaque jour, successivement, y font place aux nouveaux malades.—Vol. i. p. 54.

mission, therefore, of the commander, a detachment of the convicts condemned to labour on board these vessels was landed, under promise of liberty, if they duly performed the service required of them; and, on express application to the government, a larger number was afterwards added.' That these men were useful, from their daring disposition and scorn of danger, is certain. But they came, quite unprovided with necessary clothing, at a time when scarcely a tradesman was able to supply them. They were also to be fed, while the greatest scarcity prevailed, and were to be lodged, amidst the repugnance felt by all the inhabitants to admit them into their houses. The moral evil which they brought with them was, indeed, scarcely less than that of the plague which they

From the 20th of August, 1720, to the 4th of January, 1721, were granted for this service 692 convicts and six Turks, besides the 26 convicts first sent by the commander of the galleys. Of the whole number sent by the express order of the crown, 241 only appeared at the muster in May, 1721. Compare vol. i. p. 59 with vol. ii. p. 191.