royalty restored-第41节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
r lowered from windows with a reckless speed that oftentimes destroyed what it sought to preserve。 Carts； drays； and horses laden with merchandise jostled each other in their hurried way towards the fields outside the city walls。 Men young and vigorous crushed forward with beds or trunks upon their backs； children laboured under the weight of bundles； or rolled barrels of oil； wine； or spirits before them。 And the air； rendered suffocating by smoke and flame； was moreover confused by the crackling of consuming timber； the thunder of falling walls； the crushing of glass； the shrieks of women； and the imprecations of men。
And those who lived near the waterside； or in houses on the bridges； hurried their goods and chattels into boats； barges； and lighters； in which they likewise took refuge。 For the destruction of wharfs and warehouses； containing stores of most inflammable nature； was brief and desperate。 The Thames； now blood…red from reflection of the fierce sky； was covered with craft of all imaginable shape and size。 Showers of sparks blown by the high wind fell into the water with hissing sounds； or on the clothes and faces of the people with disastrous and painful effects； and the smoke and heat were hard to bear。 And it was remarked that flocks of pigeons； which for generations had found shelter in the eaves and roofs of wooden houses by the riverside； were loath to leave their habitations； and probably fearing to venture afar by reason of the unwonted aspect of the angry sky； lingered on the balconies and abutments of deserted houses； until in some cases； the flames enwrapping them； they fell dead into the waters below。
On Sunday evening Gracechurch Street was on fire； and the flames spread onwards till they reached； and in their fury consumed； the Three Cranes in the Vintry。 Night came； but darkness had fled from the city； and for forty miles round all was luminous。 And there were many who in the crimson hue of the heavens； beheld an evidence of God's wrath at the sins of the nation； which it was now acknowledged were many and great。
Throughout Sunday night the fire grew apace； and those who； in the morning had carried their belongings to parts of the city which they believed would by distance ensure safety； were now obliged to move them afresh； the devastation extending for miles。 Therefore many were compelled to renew their labours； thereby suffering further fatigue； and they now trusted to no protection for their property save that which the open fields afforded。 Monday morning came and found the flames yet raging。 Not only Gracechurch Street； but Lombard Street； and part of Fenchurch street； were on fire。 Stately mansions； comfortable homes； warehouses of great name； banks of vast wealth； were reduced to charred and blackened walls or heaps of smoking ruins。 Buildings had been pulled down； but now too late to render service； for the insatiable fire； yet fed by a high wind； had everywhere marched over the dried woodwork and mortar as it lay upon the ground； and communicated itself to the next block of buildings； so that its circumvention was regarded as almost an impossibility。
During Monday the flames attacked Cornhill； and then commenced to demolish the Royal Exchange。 Having once made an entrance in this stately building it revelled in triumph； climbing up the walls； roaring along the courts and galleries； and sending through the broken windows volleys of smoke and showers of sparks； which threatened to suffocate and consume those who approached。 Then the roof fell with a mighty crash； which seemed for a time to subdue the powerful conflagration； the walls cracked； parted； and fell； statues of kings and queens were flung from their niches； and in a couple of hours this building； which had been the pride and glory of British Merchants； was a blackened ruin。
The citizens were now in a state of despair。 Upwards of ten thousand houses were in a blaze； the fire extending； according to Evelyn； two miles in length and one in breadth； and the smoke reaching near fifty miles in length。 Mansions； churches； hospitals； halls； and schools crumbled into dust as if at blighting touch of some most potent and diabolical magician。 Quite hopeless now of quenching the flames； bewildered by loss； and overcome by terror； the citizens； abandoning themselves to despair； made no further effort to conquer this inappeasable fire； but crying aloud in their distraction； behaved as those who had lost their wits。 The king and the Duke of York； who on Sunday had viewed the conflagration from the Thames； now alarmed at prospect of the whole capital being laid waste； rode into the city； and by their presence； coolness and example roused the people to fresh exertions。 Accordingly； citizens and soldiers worked with renewed energy and courage； whilst his majesty and his brother； the courtiers and the lord mayor； mixed freely with the crowd； commanding and directing them in their labours。
But now a new terror rose up amongst the citizens； for news spread that the Dutch and Frenchwith whom England was then at warand moreover the papists； whom the people then abhorred； had conspired to destroy the capital。 And the suddenness with which the flames had appeared in various places； and the rapidity with which they spread； leading the distracted inhabitants to favour this report； a strong desire for immediate revenge took possession of their hearts。
Accordingly all foreigners were laid hold of； kicked； beaten； and abused by infuriated mobs； from which they were rescued only to be flung into prison。 And this conduct was speedily extended to the catholics； even when such were known to be faithful and well… approved good citizens。 For though at first it spread as a rumour； it was now received as a certainty that they； in obedience to the wily and most wicked Jesuits； had determined to lay waste an heretical city。 Nor were there wanting many ready to bear witness they had seen these dreaded papists fling fire… balls into houses of honest citizens； and depart triumphing in their fiendish deeds。 So that when they ventured abroad they were beset by great multitudes； and their lives were imperilled。 And news of this distraction； which so forcibly swayed the people； reaching the king； he speedily despatched the members of his privy council to several quarters of the city； that in person they might guard such of his subjects as stood in danger。
Lord Hollis and Lord Ashley were assigned Newgate Market and the streets that lie around； as parts where they were to station themselves。 And it happened that riding near the former place they saw a vast number of people gathered together； shouting with great violence； and badly using one who stood in their midst。 Whereon they hastened towards the spot and found the ill…treated man to be of foreign aspect。 Neither had he hat； cloak； nor sword； his face was covered with blood； his jerkin was torn in pieces； and his person was bedaubed by mud。 And on examination it was found he was unable to speak the English tongue； but Lord Hollis； entering into conversation with him in the French language； ascertained that he was a servant of the Portuguese ambassador； and knew not of what he was accused； or why he had been maltreated。
Hereon a citizen of good standing pressed forward and alleged he had truly seen this man put his hand in his pocket and throw a fire…ball into a shop； upon which the house immediately took flame； whereon； being on the other side of the street； he called aloud that the people might stop this abominable villain。 Then the citizens had seized upon him； taking away his sword； and used him according to their will。 My Lord Hollis explaining this to the foreigner； he was overcome by amazement at the charge； and when asked what he had thrown into the house； made answer he had not flung anything。 But he remembered well； whilst walking in the street； he saw a piece of bread upon the ground； which he； as was the custom in his country took up。 Afterwards he laid it upon a shelf in a neighbouring house； which being close by； my Lords Hollis and Ashley； followed by a dense crowd； conducted him thither； and found the bread laid upon a board as he had stated。 It was noted the next house but one was on fire； and on inquiry it was ascertained that the worthy citizen； seeing a foreigner place something inside a shop without tarrying； and immediately after perceiving a dwelling in flames； which in his haste he took to be the same； he had charged the man with commission of this foul deed。 But even though many were convinced of his innocence； my Lord Hollis concluded the stranger's life would be in safer keeping if he were committed to prison； which was accordingly done。
Meanwhile the fire continued； and on Monday night and Tuesday raged with increasing violence。 The very heart of the city was now eaten into by this insatiable monster： Soper Lane； Bread Street； Friday Street； Old Change； and Cheapside being in one blaze。 It was indeed a spectacle to fill all beholding it with consternation； but that which followed was yet more terrible； for already St。 Paul's Cathedral was doomed to destruction。
Threatened on one side by the flames devastating Cheapside； and on the other from tho
