OF SELBORNE, 
221 
from the moft remote times ; as appears from the peculiar and re- 
peated injunftions given them in the Levitical law'. Nor was the 
rancour of this foul diforder much abated in the laft period of their 
commonwealth, as may be feen in many palTages of the New 
Teftament. 
Some centuries ago this horrible diftemper prevailed all Europe 
over ; and our forefathers were by no means exempt, as appears 
by the large provifion made for objeds labouring under this cala- 
mity. There was an hofpital for female lepers in the diocefe 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, fome crowned heads, and other wealthy and charitable 
perfonages, bequeathed large legacies to fuch poor people as lan- 
guiflied under this hopelefs infirmity. 
It mufl therefore, in thefe days, be, to an humane and think- 
ing perfon, a matter of equal wonder and fatisfad:ion, when he 
contemplates how nearly this pell is eradicated, and obferves that 
a leper now is a rare fight. He will, moreover, tvhen engaged in 
fuch a train of thought, naturally inquire for the reafon. This 
happy change perhaps may have originated and been continued 
from the much fmaller quantity of falted meat and lifli now eaten 
in thefe kingdoms ; from the ufe of linen next the fkin ; from the 
plenty of better bread ; and from the profufion of fruits, roots, 
legumes, and greens, fo common in every family. Three or 
four centuries ago, before there vv'ere any enclofures, fown-grafR-s, 
field-turnips, or fi -'Id- carrots, or hay, all the cattle which had 
grown fat in fummcr, and were not killed for winter- ufe, were 
turned out foon after Michaelmas to Ihift as they could through the 
' See Leviticu?, chap. xiii. and xiv. 
dead 
