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But the most dense, livid, and hideous swarm was that of the

villagers. These were seen in entire families; husbands with

their wives, dragging along their little ones, and supporting in

their arms their wretched babies, whilst their own aged and

helpless parents followed behind,-all flocked into the city in

hopes of obtaining bread. Some, whose houses had been invaded and

despoiled by the soldiery, had fled in despair; some, to excite

compassion, and render their misery more striking, showed the

wounds and bruises they had received in defending their homes;

and others, whom this scourge had not reached, had been driven,

by the two scourges from which no corner of the country was

exempt, sterility and the consequent increase on the price of

provisions, to the city, as to the abode of abundance and pious

munificence.