A Journal of the Plague Year Part 16

Roxana, The Fortunate Mistress Section 01

In which the narrator recounts her early years, tracing her journey from France to England as a refugee child, and describes her upbringing amidst the varied fortunes of her family and community. She portrays herself as a lively and accomplished young woman, receiving a considerable portion and entering into marriage, thus setting the stage for the events to follow.

A Journal of the Plague Year Part 25

In which the narrator refrains from casting harsh judgment on the misdeeds and ingratitude observed amidst the calamity, acknowledging his own witness to such human frailties. He concludes his account of the dreadful year with a heartfelt, unpolished verse that solemnly commemorates the vast loss and his own survival.

A Journal of the Plague Year Part 24

In which the sombre terror of the plague’s relentless march is suddenly and wondrously arrested by a mysterious and divine abatement, causing multitudinous hearts to lift from despair to praise. The city’s streets, once shadowed by dread, become scenes of astonished joy and thankful voices, as the sick begin to recover and neighbours greet each other with a new and tender familiarity.

A Journal of the Plague Year Part 23

In which the prudent and cautious employ various methods to purify their homes, from burning fragrant incense to firing gunpowder, with some extreme measures leading to accidental destruction, whilst the wealthy are slower to return to the city amid the lingering pestilence. It is observed with sober reflection that the plague spares the fleet though it ravages the town, and amid widespread despair, the miraculous abatement of the pestilence is attributed to divine intervention, filling the hearts of many with a hopeful gratitude.

A Journal of the Plague Year Part 22

In which the absence of mountebanks from London during the plague gave rise to various conjectures, and the learned physicians maintained that the plague itself sufficed as a cleansing remedy, thus leaving little room for quack remedies; whilst persistent rumours and fears of relapse kept the city in unease until the winter weather restored health by February. The account further recounts the concern over purging infected houses, noting that simple measures often proved as effective as costly perfumes and sulphurous fumigations in making the city habitable once more.