246 LEPROSY. 



given them in the Levitical law *. Nor was the 

 rancour of this foul disorder much ahated in the last 

 period of their commonwealth, as may be seen in 

 many passages of the New Testament. 



Some centuries ago, this horrible distemper pre- 

 vailed all over Europe ; and our forefathers were by 

 no means exempt, as appears by the large provision 

 made for objects labouring under this calamity. 

 There was an hospital for female lepers in the 

 diocese of Lincoln, a noble one near Durham, three 

 in London and Southwark, and perhaps many more 

 in or near our great towns and cities. Moreover, 

 some crowned heads, and other wealthy and chari- 

 table personages, bequeathed large legacies to such 

 poor people as languished under this hopeless infir- 

 mity. 



It must, therefore, in these days, be, to a humane 

 and thinking person, a matter of equal wonder and 

 satisfaction, when he contemplates how nearly this 

 pest is eradicated, and observes that a leper is now 

 a rare sight. He will, moreover, when engaged in 

 such a train of thought, naturally inquire for the 

 reason. This happy change, perhaps, may have ori- 

 ginated and been continued from the much smaller 

 quantity of salted meat and fish now eaten in these 

 kingdoms from the use of linen next the skin 

 from the plenty of better bread and from the pro- 

 fusion of fruits, roots, legumes, and greens, so com- 

 mon in every family. Three or four centuries ago, 

 before there were any enclosures, sown grasses, 

 field turnips, or field carrots, or hay, all the cattle 

 that had grown fat in summer, and were not killed 

 for winter use, were turned out soon after Michael- 

 mas to shift as they could through the dead months ; 

 so that no fresh meat could be had in winter or 



* See Leviticus, chap. xiii. and xiv. 



