170 THE PLAGUE.

city of Marocco ", lost one thousand each day ; the populous cities of Old and New Fas diminished in population twelve or fifteen hundred each day**, insomuch, that in these extensive cities, the mortality was so great, that the living having not time to bury the dead, the bodies were deposited or thrown altogether into large holes, which, when nearly full, were covered over with earth. All regulations in matters of sepulture before observed were now no longer regarded ; things sacred and things prophane had now lost their distinction, and universal despair pervaded mankind. Young, healthy, and robust persons of full stamina, were, for the most part, attacked first, then women and children, and lastly, thin, sickly, emaciated, and old people.

After this violent and deadly calamity had subsided, we beheld a general alteration in the fortunes and circumstances of men ; we saw persons who before the plague were common labourers, now in possession of thousands, and keeping horses without knowing how to ride them. Parties of this description were met wherever we went, and the men of family called * I have been informed that there are still at Marocco, apartments wherein the dead were placed ; and that after the whole family was swept away the doors were built up, and remain so to this day.

«• There died, during the whole of the above periods, in the city of Marocco, 50,000; in Fas, 65,000; in Mogodor, 4500; and hi SafFy, 5000; in all 124,500 souls!