Page:The child's pictorial history of England; (IA childspictorialh00corn).pdf/168

 52. Many, however, were ruined by the loss of their property, and all were left houseless, so that they had to set up tents in the fields, to shelter themselves till they could find some place to go to; and subscriptions were made for the relief of those who were most in need, for generally the respectable citizens had saved their plate, jewels, and money.

53. The fire put an end to the pestilence, and so far proved a benefit, in the end; for the city was rebuilt with wider streets; the houses were built of brick or stone, and altogether it was handsomer and more healthy; one proof of which is, that the plague has not been known in London since.

54. The visitation of the cholera, in 1829-30, although partaking somewhat of the character of a plague, was a different disease, and yielded to cleanliness and medical treatment.

55. It was about this time, that tea was first brought to England, from China, by the East India Company; but it was so very dear, that a pound of tea was thought a handsome present, and it was a very long while before people drank it as they do now.

56. Except in London, Liverpool, and some of the principal towns, nobody had ever heard of such a thing as tea; for there was but little