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But the next day, whilst presumptuous and fanatical assurance had

taken possession of every mind, the number of deaths augmented in

all parts of the city in a progression so frightful, and in a

manner so sudden, that none could avoid confessing the cause to

have been the procession itself. However, (astonishing and

deplorable power of prejudice!) this effect was not attributed to

the assemblage of so many people, and to the increase of

fortuitous contact, but to the facility afforded to the poisoners

to execute their infernal purposes. But as this opinion could not

account for so vast a mortality, and as no traces of strange

substances had been discovered on the road of the procession,

recourse was had to another invention, admitted by general

opinion in Europe-magical and poisoned powders!