22 NATURAL HISTORY 



given them in the Levitical law.* Nor 

 was the rancour of this foul disorder much 

 abated in the last period of their common- 

 wealth, as may be seen in many passages 

 of the New Testament. 



Some centuries ago this horrible distem- 

 per prevailed all Europe over; 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 

 charitable personages, bequeathed large 

 legacies to such poor people as languished 

 under this hopeless infirmity. 



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

 an humane and thinking person, a matter 

 of equal wonder and satisfaction, when he 



* See Leviticus, chap. xiii. and xiv. 



