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Many ruffians, too, assuming the garb of these wretches, carried

on extensive robberies in the houses of the sick, dying, and

helpless.

In the same proportion as vice increased, folly increased; the

foolish idea was again revived of poisonings; the dread of this

fantastic danger beset and tormented the minds of men more than

the real and present danger. "While," says Ripamonti, "the heaps

of dead bodies lying before the eyes of the living made the city

a vast tomb, there was something more afflicting and hideous

still-reciprocal distrust and extravagant suspicion; and this not

only between friends, neighbours, and guests; but husbands,

wives, and children, became objects of terror to one another,

and, horrible to tell! even the domestic board and the nuptial

bed were dreaded as snares, as places were poison might be

concealed."