In 1832, however, it was a disease almost unknown and unprecedented
except in its Indian abode, whence it had advanced city by city,
seaport by seaport, sweeping down multitudes before it; nor had
science yet discovered how to encounter or forestall it. We heard
of it in a helpless sort of way, as if it had been the plague or the
Black Death, and thought of its victims as doomed.
That terrible German engraving, 'Death as a Foe,' which represents
the grisly form as invading a ballroom in Paris, is an expression of
the feeling with which the scourge was regarded on that first
occasion. Two Years Ago gives some notion of the condition of
things in 1849, but by that time there had been some experience, and
means of prevention were better understood. On the alarm in that
year there was a great inspection of cottages throughout Earlscombe
and Hillside, but in 1832 there was no notion of such precautions.
Nevertheless, on neither visitation, nor any subsequent one, has the
disease come nearer to us than Bristol.
As far as memory serves me, the idea was that wholesome food,
regular habits, and cleanliness were some protection, but one
locality might be as dangerous as another. There had been cases in
London all the spring, but no special anxiety was felt when Clarence
returned to his work in the end of July, much refreshed and
invigorated by his holiday, and with the understanding that he was
to have a rise in position and salary on Mr.
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