When I consider the melancholy Circumstances of the People at _Marseilles_ and other infected Places, how they are now divested of Relief, and brought into that miserable State, that even every Man is terrified at the Approach of his dearest Friend, and the very Aspect of our Neighbours strike such Horror and Confusion in us, as if they brought our Death and Destruction with them; it is then surely time for every one to contribute all that in him lies to prevent the Progress of so _direful a Calamity_. The good Counsels of our Nation, therefore, to prevent as much as possible the Infection which might be brought among us by Merchandizes coming from Infected Places, have wisely order'd strict Quarentine to be perform'd, before either the Sailors or Goods can be brought ashoar. The Neighbouring Nations of Trade, have follow'd our Example, but the _Hollanders_ in an extraordinary manner, have even order'd the Burning the very Ships and Goods coming from _Marseilles_, and have been so cautious, as to suffer none of the Passengers to come on Shoar, without first being dis-rob'd of all their Apparel, and even to be well wash'd with Sea Water, and then likewise to perform Quarentine in a little Island, remote from the Inhabitants. I could mention many Relations we have had, of the Sufferings of the poor People belonging to _Marseilles_, who to avoid the dismal Consequence of the Plague, have flown for Refuge into the Country, and have either been starv'd to Death, or Murder'd by the Country People; but yet we find, that notwithstanding all these Precautions, that Pestilence continues to destroy as much as ever, and makes it Advances every Day more towards us. It is computed, that about 60000 are Dead of the Plague at _Marseilles_; and that there are now (_October 20. N. S._) above 14000, Persons left in that Town, including 10000 Sick; and at _Aubagne_, out of 10000 who retir'd thither from _Marseilles_, above 9000 are Dead. On this sad Occasion of the Ruin of _Marseilles_ especially since there is talk of Burning that Town, it may not be unseasonable to give an Account of it. '_Marseilles_ is one of the most considerable Cities in _France_, and the most Populous and most trading Town of all _Provance_. It is so Antient, that it is reckon'd to have been Built upwards of Six Hundred and Thirty Years before the Birth of our Saviour. It was once a very flourishing Republick; and its University was in such Esteem, as drew Students thither from all Parts of _Europe_.