A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 515 



In a proclamation for a period of fasting and prayer, to be observed 

 every Sunday during Lent, issued by Governor John Harrison, Jan. 

 29, 1623, he referred to the threatened war with Spain ; to a recent 

 famine ; and to a pestilence, then prevailing, in which both the late 

 Governor (John Bernard) and his wife had both died and been 

 buried in one day. Governor Bernard had died only six weeks after 

 his arrival in the islands. 



He stated that the only means of overcoming the disease was by 

 fasting and praj^er, which was the current belief at that time, and 

 for long after, but although this ti'eatment did not prove very 

 effectual, it undoubtedly did much good indirectly, by allaying the 

 fear and calming the minds of the afflicted people. 



The following proclamation was issued by Governor Frlorentius 

 Seymer (or Seymour) and refers to an epidemic of some importance. 

 It was probably the bubonic plague, which was very prevalent in 

 London, in 1663 and 1664. 



"By the Governor, A Proclamation, May 7, 1664." 



" Whereas the afflicting hand of the Almighty hath bin justly, as 

 well as lately, stretched out against us and most of our ffamilies by 

 sickness and distemper of bodie, which is not yet wholie abated. 

 And I, haveing very lately received Christian premonition from our 

 reverend Ministers, for the averting & absolute remoeving (if the 

 Lord shall soe please) thereof. By appointing and setting apart a 

 daie of Humiliation (the sovaraigne remedy for cureing any Epi- 

 demicall sicknes & distemper). These are therefore (in discharge of 

 my dutie, and in psuance of their desires therein) to Will and require 

 all, and all manner of Inhabitants of these Islands, to repayre to the 

 respective Churches whereatt the severall Ministers shall think fitt 

 to appoint ; there to meete uppon Thursday the 12th of this instant 

 Moneth, then and there duly and humblie to attend with them the 

 worke of that day, more especially at the Church and in the tyme of 

 meeting aforesaid. Whereof all manner of persons are hereby in his 

 Maiesties name charged and Comanded to take notice and to yeald a 

 redie observation of the day and duty as aforesaid, (intended & sett 

 apart for the glory of our Maker, and our spirituall and temporall 

 good,) as they will answer the contrary at their perills. And wholly 

 to refrayne from all manner of bodilie labor and superfluous acting, 

 speaking, or doeing that whole day." 



Given under my hand the 7th of May, 1664 



Fflor. Seymer." 



