Journal of the Plague Year

continued, by a Gentleman

There was much Rejoycing ſome Nights paſt at the Bloater and Blueſtocking Coffee-houſe, where the local Entrepreneurs and Men of Buſineſs are wont to foregather and frolick, and liberate themſelves from the preſent Tyrannie of Maſques by congregating with open Defiance in a Trade Bubble of ſeven or more. The Occaſion of the late Joyouſneſs was a certain Saleſman of Fire-places, Hearth-pieces and ſundry related Goods, who performed an almoſt convincing Imperſonation of a Miniſter of the Crown and made ſome moſt moving patriotick Remarks concerning the pitiful Inadequacies of the leſser Breedes, with their perſiſtent Refuſal to demonſtrate their Fortitude by giving over their materialiſtick Concerns and ſuffering ſovereign Death-tolls of ſimilar Magnitude to our own. Alas the Performance ſuffered ſome ſmall Interruption, by an impudent Apothecary who attempted to perpetuate certain falſe and traytorous Rumours, unworthie of preſent Mention, concerning the long diſcredited Theory of Germs and the Proviſions of Magna Carta. He was reprimanded in accordance with civiliſed Values, being moderately aſsaulted and pelted with Horſe-dung, and finally he attained a Hue of ſufficient Duſkineſs for handing over to the Watch.