Journal of the Plague Year

continued, by a Gentleman

I have it on reliable Report, that a virtuous and noble Gentleman of Dorſet hath been forced into Hiding becauſe of ſundry Threats and Animadverſions by ſome rude baſe Fellowes who recogniſe no Rule of Diſcipline nor Duty to God or to the Queen. Even as the Blacke Death of olden Times ſo depleted the Peaſantry, that many were ſeduced by malicious Agitators into unnatural Revolt againſt their Betters, ſo it appears that the preſent Peſtilence may yet have the graveſt Conſequences for the Stability of our great Nation, whoſe Conſiſtency of entrepreneurial Virtue and manly Vigour deſpite a thouſand Years of inſidious Sappage by migratory Hordes can be ſcientifically explained onlie by the Miracle of Divine Favour. Though not aſpiring to the high Morals and exalted ſocial Status of a Trafficker in Sugar and Negroes, the aforementioned harraſsed Gentleman is famed for his Dedication to the Improvement of the Britiſh Race and his unſwerving Commitment to the Battle againſt Sodomy, the which he hath faithfully purſued over many Years by dreſsing up ſmall Boys in ſoldierly Coſtume and teaching them handy Tricks.