It has been more than once remarked that the particular day now under consideration was the one in which the plague exercised its fiercest dominion over the city; and though at first its decline was as imperceptible as the gradual diminution of the day after the longest has passed, yet still the alteration began.

On that day, as if death had known that his power was to be speedily arrested, he sharpened his fellest arrows, and discharged them with unerring aim.

To pursue the course of the destroyer from house to house--to show with what unrelenting fury he assailed his victims--to describe their sufferings--to number the dead left within their beds, thrown into the streets, or conveyed to the plague-pits--would be to present a narrative as painful as revolting.

On this terrible night it was as hot as if it had been the middle of June.

No air was stirring, and the silence was so profound, that a slight noise was audible at a great distance.