Page 928 of 1118

But the incident became a text for conjecture to the people; it

was affirmed, that the poisoners had rubbed all the benches and

walls of the cathedral, and even the bell-ropes.

The next morning a new and more strange and significant spectacle

struck the wondering eyes of the citizens. In all parts of the

city the doors of the houses and the walls were plastered with

long streaks of whitish yellow dirt, which appeared to have been

rubbed on with a sponge. Whether it was a wicked pleasantry to

excite more general and thrilling alarm, or that it had been done

from the guilty design of increasing the public disorder;

whatever was the motive, the fact is so well attested, that it

cannot be attributed to imagination. The city, already alarmed,

was thrown into the utmost confusion; the owners of houses

purified all infected places; strangers were stopped in the

streets on suspicion, and conducted to prison, where they

underwent long interrogatories which naturally ended in proving

none of these absurd and imaginary practices against them.