Fumifugium: or, the Inconveniencie of the Aer and Smoake of London/Part 2
Part. II.
WE know (as the Proverb commonly speaks) that, as there is no Smoake without Fire; so neither is there hardly any Fire without Smoake, and that the ἃχαπνα ξύλα, materials which burn clear are very few, and but comparatively so tearmed: That to talk of serving this vast City (though Paris as great, be so supplied) with Wood, were madnesse; and yet doubtlesse it were possible, that much larger proportions of Wood might be brought to London, and sold at easier rates, if that were diligently observed, which both our Laws enjoyn, as faisible and practised in other places more remote, by Planting and preserving of Woods and Copses, and by what might by Sea, be brought out of the Northern Countries, where is so greatly abounds, and seems inexhaustible. But the Remedy which I would propose, has nothing in it of this difficulty, requiring only the Removal of such Trades, as are manifest Nuisances to the City, which, I would have placed at farther distances; especially, such as in their Works and Fournaces use great quantities of Sea-Cole, the sole and only cause of those prodigious Clouds of Smoake, which so universally and so fatally infest the Aer, and would in no City of Europe be permitted, where Men had either respect to Health or Ornament. Such we named to be Brewers, Diers, Sope and Salt-boylers, Lime-burners, and the like: These I affirm, together with some few others of the same Classe removed at competent distance, would produce so considerable (though but partial) a Cure, as Men would even be found to breath a new life as it were, as well as London appear a new City, delivered from that, which alone renders it one of the most pernicious and insupportable abodes in the World, as subjecting her Inhabitants to so infamous an Aer, otherwise sweet and very healthful: For, (as we said) the Culinary fires (and which charking would greatly reform) contribute little, or nothing in comparison to these foul mouth'd Issues, and Curles of Smoake which (as the Poet has it)Virgil. do Cælum subtexere fumo, and draw a sable Curtain over Heaven. Let any man observe it, upon a Sunday, or such time as these Spiracles cease, that the Fires are generally extinguished, and he shall sensibly conclude, by the clearnesse of the Skie, and universal serenity of the Aer about it, that all the Chimnies in London, do not darken and poyson it so much, as one or two of those Tunnels of Smoake; and, that, because the most imperceptible transpirations, which they send forth, are ventilated, and dispersed with the least breath which is stirring: Whereas the Columns and Clowds of Smoake, which are belched forth from the sooty Throates of those Works, are so thick and plentiful, that rushing out with great impetuosity, they are capable even to resist the fiercest winds, and being extremely surcharg'd with a fuliginous Body, fall down upon the City, before they can be dissipated, as the more thin and weak is; so as two or three of these Pliny.fumid vortices, are able to whirle it about the whole City, rendring it in a few Moments like the Picture of Troy sacked by the Greeks, or the approches of Mount-Hecla.
I propose therefore, that by an Act of this present Parliament, this infernal Nuisance be reformed; enjoyning, that all those Works be removed five or six miles distant from London below the River of Thames; I say, five or six Miles, or at the least so far as to stand behind that Promontory jetting out, and and securing Greenwich[1] from the pestilent Aer of Plumstead-Marshes: because, being placed at any lesser Interval beneath the City, it would not only prodigiously infect that his Majesties Royal Seat (and as Barclay calls it) pervetusta Regum Britannicorum domus; but during our nine Months Etesians (for so we may justly name our tedious Western-winds) utterly darken and confound one of the most princely, and magnificent[2] Prospects that the World has to shew: Whereas, being seated behind that Mountain, and which seems to have been thus industriously elevated; No winds, or other accident whatever can force it through that solid obstacle; and I am perswaded, that the heat of these Works, mixing with the too cold and uliginous vapours which perpetually ascend from these Fenny Grounds, might be a means of rendring that Aer far more healthy then now it is; because it seems to stand in need of some powerful drier; but which London, by reason of its excellent scituation, does not at all require: And if it shall be objected, that the Brakishnesse of the Spring-tides, happening hereabout at some periods, may render the Waters lesse useful for some purposes: It is an extraordinary Accident, which appearing rarely is cured again at the reversion of the next Tide: Or if it only concern the Brewer, I know no inconveniency, if even some of them were prescrib'd, as far as any fresh-waters are found dissemboguing into the Thames; since the commodiousnesse of the passage may bring up their Wares with so great ease: He that considers what quantities are transported from Dantzick, Lubeck, Hamborough, and other remote places into Holland, cannot think this an unreasonable proposition: But if their fondnesse to be nearer London, procure indulgence for some of them, The Town of Bowe, in regard of its scituation from our continual Winds may serve for the expedient, and a partial Cure: But the rest of those banish'd to the utmost extreme propounded on the River.
At least by this means Thousands of able Watermen may be employed in bringing Commodities into the City, to certain Magazines & Wharfs, commodiously situated to dispense them by Carrs or rather Sleds, into the several parts of the Town; all which may be effected with much facility, and small expense; but, with such Conveniency and Benefit to the Inhabitants otherwise, as were altogether inestimable; and therefore, to be valu'd beyond all other trifling objections of sordid and avaricious persons whatsoever. Nor, indeed, could there at all the lest detriment ensue upon this Reformation since, the Places and Houses deserted (which commonly take up a great space of Ground) might be converted into Tenements, and some of them into Noble Houses for use and pleasure, respecting the Thames to their no small advantage. Add to this, that it would be a means to prevent the danger of Fireing, those sad Calamities, for the most part, proceeding from some Accident or other, which takes beginning from places, where such great and exorbitant Fires are perpetually kept going.
Nor were this a thing yet so extravagant, and without all President of former times; since even the Smoake and burning of lesse fœtid and noxious Fuell, produc'd an inconvenience so universal, in some Countries of this Mation: Not to mention the complaint which I have heard some parts even of France it self lying South west of England, did formerly make of being infested with Smoakes driven from our Naritime Coasts, which injur'd their Vines in Flower, that it was thought expedient an Act of Parliament should be made purposely to reform it in the seventh year of the Reign of His Majesties Grandfather that now is, which, to take off all prejudice, I shall here recite, as it remains upon Record.
Anno vij. Jacobi Regis.
WHereas, many Inconveniencies are observed to happen in divers Counties of this Realm, by Moore-burnings, and by raising of Fires in Moorish grounds and Mountaneous Countries, for burning of Ling, Heath, Hather, Furres, Gorss, Turffe, Fearn, Whinnes, Broom, and the like, in the Spring time and Summer-Times: For as much as thereby happeneth yearly a great destruction of the Brood of Wild-fowle, and Moore-game, and by the multitude of grosse vapours, and Clouds arising from those great fires, the Aer is so distemper'd, and such unseasonable and unnatural storms are ingendred, as that the Corn, and the Fruites of the Earth are thereby in divers places blasted, and greatly hindered in their due course of ripening and reaping. As also, for that sometimes it hath happened, that by the violence of those Fires driven with the Wind, great Fields of Corn growing, have been consumed, and Meadows spoyl'd, to the great hurt and dammage of His Majesties Subjects; which Moor-burnings, neverthelesse, may be used, and practised at some other convenient times, without such eminent danger or prejudice.
Be it therefore Enacted by our Soveraign Lord the Kings most excellent Majesty, with the assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Commons in this Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same; That from, and after the last day of July next ensuing the end of this present Session of Parliament, it shall not be lawful for any Person or Persons whatsoever in the Months of April, May, June, July, August, and September, nor in any of them, to raise, kindle, or begin; or to cause or practise to be raised, kindled, or begun any Fires or Moor-burnings in the said Counties of York, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancaster, Darby, Nottingham, and Leicester, or in any of them, for burning of Ling, Heath, Hather, Furs, Gorsse, Turffes, Fearne, Whinnes, Broome or the like; neither to assist, further, nourish or continue the same; And that all and every Person and Persons, which from and after the said last day of July, shall offend contrary to the true intent, and meaning of this Statute, the same offence being proved by contession of the Party, or by the Testimonies of two sufficient Witnesses upon Oath, before one or more Justices of the Peace of the same County, City, or Town Corporate, where the offence shall be committed; or the Person or Persons offending, apprehended, shall be by the said Justice, or Justices of the peace, for every such offence, committed to the Common Goale of the County, City, or Town Corporate, where the Offence shall be committed, or the person or persons apprehended, there to remain for the space of one Month without Bail or Main-prise.
And further, be it Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, that all, and every person and persons, which shall be so convicted and imprisoned as aforesaid, shall not be enlarged from their said Imprisonment; but shall there remain after the said Month is expired, without Bail or Main-prise, untill such time as every such Offendor respectively shall pay, or cause to be paid to the Church-Wardens, or unto the Overseers of the poor of the Parish, or place, where the same Offence shall be committed, or the Offender or Offenders apprehended, or unto some of them, to the use of the poor of the said parish or place, where the same Offence shall be committed, the Summe of Twenty Shillings, for every such Offence committed or done, contrary no this Act. This Act to continue until the end of the first Session of the next Parliament.
So far the Act. And here you see was care taken for the Fowl and the Game, as well as for the Fruits, Corn, and Grasse, which were universally incommoded by these unwholsome vapours that distempered the Ae,See Hipp. de Flatibus & Gal. l. Cib. boni & mali succi, instancing in Corn and Water, poyson'd by ill Aer. to the very raising of Storms and Tempests; upon which a Philosopher might amply discourse. And if such care was taken for the Country, where the more Aereall parts predominate, and are in comparison free; how much greater ought there to be for the City, where are such Multitudes of Inhabitants concern'd? And surely it was so of old, when (to object all that can be replied against it) even for the very Service of God, the Sacrifices were to be burnt without the Camp; amongst the Jews; as (of old) amongst the Romans, Hominem mortuum in urbe ne sepelito, nevè urito. That Men should burn, or bury the Dead within the City Walls, was expresly prohibited by a Law of the XII. Tables; and truely, I am perswaded, that the frequency of Church-yards, and Charnel-House contamminate the Aer, in many parts of this Town, as well as the Pumps and Waters, which are any thing near unto them, so that those Pipes and Conveyances which passe through them (obnoxious to many dangerous accidents) ought either to be directed some other way, or very carefully to be looked after.
We might add to these, Chandlers and Butchers, because of those horrid stinks, niderous and unwholsome smells which proceed from the Tallow, and corrupted Blood: At least should no Cattel be kill'd within the City (to this day observ'd in the Spanish great Towns of America) since the Flesh and Candles might so easily be brought to the Shambles and Shops from other places lesse remote then the former; by which means also, might be avoided the driving of Cattel through the Streets, which is a very great inconvenience and some danger: The same might be affirm'd of Fishmongers, so wittily perstringed by Erasmus, Ίχθνοφαγίαper Salsamentarios nempe, inquinari Civitatem, infici terram, flumina, aerem & ignem, & si quod aliud est elementum. Then for the Butcher; That the Lex Carnaria of the Romans forbad them to kill, or have their Slaughter-houses within the Walls; that they had a certain Station assign'd them without; ne si passim vivant, totam urbem reddant pestiletem¨ So, as were the people to choose, malunt (says he) habere vicinos decem Lenones, quam unum Lanionem; They would rather dwell neer Ten Bawds, then one Butcher: But this is insulsus Salsamentarius, a quibble of the Fishmongers. I could yet wish that our Nasty Prisons and Common Goales might bear them Company; since I affirm they might all be remov'd to some distant places neer the River, the situation whereof does so invite, and rarely contribute to the effecting of it. But if the Avarice of the men of this Age, be so far deplorable, that we may not hope for so absolute a cure of all that is offensive; at least let such, whose Works are upon the Margent of the Thames, and which are indeed the most intollerable, be banished further off, and not once dare to approach that silver Channel (but at the distance prescrib'd) which glides by her stately Palaces, and irrigates her welcome Banks.
What a new Spirit would these easie Remedies create among the Inhabitants of London? what another Genius infuse in the face of things? and, there is none but observes, and feels in himself the Change which a serene and clear day produces; how heavy and lesse dispos'd to motion; Yea, even to good humour and friendly inclinations, we many times find our selves when the Heavens are clowded, and discompos'd? when the South-winds blow, and the humours are fluid, for what we are when the Skie is fair, and the Aer in good temper? And there is reason, that we, who are compos'd of the Elements, should participate of their qualities: For as the Humours have their sourse from the Elements; so have our Passions from the Humors, and the Soul which is united to this Body of ours, cannot but be affected with its Inclinations: The very dumb creatures themselves being sensible of the alteration of the Aer, though not by ratiocination, yet by many notorious Symptomes.
But I forbear to Philosophise farther upon this Subject, capable of very large and noble reflections; having with my promis'd brevity, endevoured to shew the Inconveniencies and the Remedies of what does so universally offend, and obscure the Glory of this our renowned Metropolis; and which, I hope, may produce some effects towards the reforming of so publick a Nuisance. At least, let the continual sejourn of our Illustrious CHARLES, who is the very Breath of our Nostrills, in whose health all our happinesse consists, be precious in our Eyes, and make our Noble Patriots now assembled in Parliament, consult for the speedy removal of this universal grievance.
It is certainly of far greater concernment (however light and aery it may appear to some) then the drayning of a Fen, or beautifying an Aquæduct, for which some have received such publick honours, Statues and Inscriptions; and will (if ever any thing did) deserve the like acknowledgements both of the present and future Ages. Yon therefore, that have Houses in the City, you that bring up your Wives and Families from their sweet Habitations in the Country; that Educate your Children here; that have Offices at Court; that study the Laws: In fine, all that are ὀμόκατνοι, & ad eundem fumum degentes, bear a part in this request of mine, which concerns the universal benefit; and the rather, for that having neither Habitation, Office, nor Being in the City, I cannot be suspected to oblige any particular. The Elegant Ladies and nice Dames; All that are in Health, and would continue so; that are infirm or Convalescent, and would be perfect; that affect the Glory of our Court and City, Health or Beauty, are concerned in this Petition; and it will become our wise Senators, and we earnestly expect it, that they would consult as well the State of the Natural, as the Politick Body of this Great Nation, so considerable a part whereof are Inhabitants of this August City; since, without their mutual harmony, and well-being, there can nothing prosper, or arrive to its desired perfection.