Page:An Historical Essay on the Livery Companies of London.djvu/27

 histories and government which do not, however, need recapitulation here. May they by their patriotic action, their wisdom in the management of their estates, and their charitable deeds, continue to be, as they most assuredly are, the most powerful and charitable body in the world.

Although, perhaps, not strictly within the scope of the History of the City Companies, a few remarks on the subject of the Great Plague and the Great Fire, and the Monument erected to commemorate the latter event, and by which the interests of the Companies were undoubtedly affected, may not be out of place here.

About the beginning of May, 1665, one of the most terrible plagues that ever affected this, or perhaps any other country, broke out in the City; its ravages were so dreadful that in the course of the year nearly 90, 000 persons perished. The King's Court and the Parliament removed from London to Oxford. All business and pleasure were naturally suspended, and it appears the distress of the poorer classes was such that, for the relief of their pressing necessities, the Livery Companies were assessed by the Parliament for various sums of money, and were bound, in addition, to furnish a certain quantity of coals, of which the proportion of the Cutlers was 75 chaldrons.

In the year 1666, one of the most dreadful conflagrations that ever happened in any age or country broke out in the City. The fire commenced in Pudding Lane, and extended its ravages to the Temple, and northward as far as London Wall; it laid waste and consumed the buildings on four hundred and thirty-six acres of ground, four hundred streets, lanes, &c., thirteen thousand two hundred houses, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, eighty-six Parish Churches, six Chapels, the magnificent