Tippling-houses.
’That disorderly tippling in taverns, ale-houses,
coffee-houses, and cellars be severely looked unto,
as the common sin of this time and greatest occasion
of dispersing the plague. And that no company
or person be suffered to remain or come into any tavern,
ale-house, or coffee-house to drink after nine of
the clock in the evening, according to the ancient
law and custom of this city, upon the penalties ordained
in that behalf.
’And for the better execution of these orders,
and such other rules and directions as, upon further
consideration, shall be found needful: It is
ordered and enjoined that the aldermen, deputies, and
common councilmen shall meet together weekly, once,
twice, thrice or oftener (as cause shall require),
at some one general place accustomed in their respective
wards (being clear from infection of the plague), to
consult how the said orders may be duly put in execution;
not intending that any dwelling in or near places
infected shall come to the said meeting while their
coming may be doubtful. And the said aldermen,
and deputies, and common councilmen in their several
wards may put in execution any other good orders that
by them at their said meetings shall be conceived and
devised for preservation of his Majesty’s subjects
from the infection.
’Sir John Lawrence, Lord Mayor.
Sir Charles Doe, Sheriffs.’
I need not say that these orders extended only to
such places as were within the Lord Mayor’s
jurisdiction, so it is requisite to observe that the
justices of Peace within those parishes and places
as were called the Hamlets and out-parts took the
same method. As I remember, the orders for shutting
up of houses did not take Place so soon on our side,
because, as I said before, the plague did not reach
to these eastern parts of the town at least, nor begin
to be very violent, till the beginning of August.
For example, the whole bill from the 11th to the 18th
of July was 1761, yet there died but 71 of the plague
in all those parishes we call the Tower Hamlets, and
they were as follows:—
— The
next week And to the 1st —
was thus: of Aug. thus:
Aldgate 14 34
65 Stepney 33 58
76 Whitechappel 21
48 79 St Katherine, Tower
2 4 4 Trinity, Minories
1 1 4 —
—– —–
—– —
71 145 228
It was indeed coming on amain, for the burials that
same week were in the next adjoining parishes thus:—
