As for Delhi and Agra, belonging to the Mogul, we find nothing
against our position, but much to show the vast numbers which attend
that emperor in his business and pleasures.
11. We shall conclude with Constantinople and Grand Cairo; as for
Constantinople it hath been said by one who endeavoured to show the
greatness of that city, and the greatness of the plague which raged
in it, that there died 1,500 per diem, without other circumstances;
to which we answer, that in the year 1665 there died in London 1,200
per diem, and it hath been well proved that the Plague of London
never carried away above one-fifth of the people, whereas it is
commonly believed that in Constantinople, and other eastern cities,
and even in Italy and Spain, that the plague takes away two-fifths,
one half, or more; wherefore where 1,200 is but one-fifth of the
people it is probable that the number was greater, than where 1,500
was two-fifths or one half, &c.
12. As for Grand Cairo it is reported, that 73,000 died in ten
weeks, or 1,000 per diem, where note, that at Grand Cairo the plague
comes and goes away suddenly, and that the plague takes away two or
three-fifths parts of the people as aforesaid; so as 73,000 was
probably the number of those that died of the plague in one whole
year at Grand Cairo, whereas at London, A.D. 1665, 97,000 were
brought to account to have died in that year. Wherefore it is
certain, that that city wherein 97,000 was but one-fifth of the
people, the number was greater than where 73,000 was two-fifths or
the half.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65