many off the stage) of such a nature and manner, that our old physicians had never seen the like, and could make no help; for all things that used to be proper remedies, proved destructive: And this was not to be imputed to bad unwholesome victual, for severals, who had plenty of old victuals, did send to Glasgow for Irish meal, and yet were smitten with fluxes and severs in a more violent and infectious nature and manner, than the poorest in the land, whose names and places where they dwelt I could instance.
These unheard-of manifold judgments continued seven years, not always alike, but the seasons, summer and winter, so cold and barren, and the wonted heat of the sun so much withholden, that it was discernible upon the cattle, flying fowls, and insects decaying, that seldom a fly or gleg was to be seen: Our harvest not in the ordinary months; many shearing in November and December, yea, some in January and February; the names of the places! can instruct: Many contracting their deaths, and losing use of their feet and hands, (hearing and working amongst it in frost and snow: And after all, some of it standing still, and rotting on the ground, and much of it for little use either to man or beast:, and which had no taste or colour of meal.
Meal became so scarce that it was at two shillings a peck, and many could not get it. It was not then with many, "Where will we get silver?" But, "Where will we get meal for silver?" I have seen when meal was all sold in markets, women clapping their hands, and tearing the clothes off their heads, crying, "How shall we go home and see our children die in hunger? they have got no meat these two days, and we have nothing to give them."
Through the long continuance of these manifold judgments, deaths and burials were so many and common, that the living were wearied in the burying of the dead, I have seen corpses drawn in sleds, many neither got coffin nor winding sheet. I was one of
