It is asserted in Rome, in A.D. 195, that for some time, 5,000 persons died daily of a fearful plague. The physicians were unable to check its deadly course. It lasted for three years. The doctors of the day urged upon the people to fill their noses and ears with sweet smelling ointments to prevent contagion. We learn from Defoe's "Journal of the Plague Year, 1665," how largely perfumes, aromatics, and essences, were employed to escape contagion at that time. Says Defoe, if you went into a church where any number of people were present, "there would be such a mixture of smells at the entrance, that it was much more strong, though, perhaps, not so wholesome, than if you were going into an apothecary's or druggist's shop. In a word, the whole church was like a smelling bottle; in one corner, it was all perfumes; in another, aromatics, balsamics, and a variety of drugs and herbs; in another, salts and spirits; as every one was furnished for their own preservation." He further says: "The poorer people, who only set open their windows night and day, burnt brimstone, pitch, and gunpowder, and such things in their rooms, did as well as the best." The annals of many of the northern English towns contain numerous sad references to plagues. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for example, suffered much. The churchwardens' accounts of St. Nicholas contain records of payments which bear on this subject. We find, for instance, the following item: "1699. By cash paid for a tarr barrell to burn in ye church 0 8." Fires were made in churches in movable pans. A year later, we read: "1700. For hearbs for rubing ye pewes 1 0." In courts of justice, might be seen large nosegays, not for ornament, but as preservatives against the pest. The Rev. J. R. Boyle, F.S.A., has gone carefully over the churchwardens' accounts of St. Nicholas', now the Cathedral of the city of Newcastle, and reproduced some curious items in his guide to the building. Here follow a few of the items: "1684. For juniper and erbes for ye vestry 0 10. 1684. Paid for erbes and fflowers for Mr. Maior's pew 2 times 3 0. 1686. Erbes for ye church at Easter, Whitsuntyde, and Assizes 6 0. 1688. Paid for holland [holly] and juniper for ye vestery, and erbs 1 11. 1690. Paid for sweet herbs for strawing in ye pews, etc. 1 0." Mr. William Kelly, read before the Royal Historical Society, on July 12th, 1877, an important paper on "Visitations of the Plague at Leicester." He gave particulars of the Mayor addressing a letter to Justice Gawdie, who was about to visit the town in his official capacity. He was informed that the plague had broken out in houses near the castle, and it was concluded that his lordship would not come to preside so near the infected places. The result of the communication may be gathered from the following entry, copied from the chamberlain's accounts: