CHAPTER VIII

INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING THE PLAGUE, AND PUBLICATION OF THE BOOK ON LAZARETTOS

Howard's attention turned towards the Plague-Sets off on a Tour to inspect Lazarettos Adventures in FranceLetters from Italy - Howard at Malta Voyage to Smyrna-A Sea-fight-Howard in Action-Quarantine at Venice-Bad News from England-Letters HomeChristmas at Vienna-The Emperor-The CountessReturn to England-Visit to Ireland-Meeting with John Wesley-Publication of the Book on Lazarettos.

E now enter upon a new chapter in

W Howard's life, and one that shows his

dauntless courage and devotion to the good of humanity in a more striking light than any other. During his researches into the condition of prisons he had given much consideration to the subject of those contagious and infectious diseases which he had found so prevalent in them; and visits to one or two lazarettos on the Continent had turned

his thoughts in the direction of that frightful scourge of which Europe lived in constant dread, namely, the plague. This subject he now determined to investigate thoroughly, and to collect all the information possible for himself, in the hope that something might ultimately be done to stamp out the evil. He thus describes, in the Introduction to his book on Lazarettos, how his plans grew.

"In my latest tours I had with pain observed, that, notwithstanding the regulations which had been made in our own country, and elsewhere, for preserving health in prisons and hospitals, yet that infectious diseases continued occasionally to arise and spread in them. I had also been led, by the view of several lazarettos in my travels, to consider how much all trading nations are exposed to that dreadful scourge of mankind which those structures are intended to prevent, and to reflect how very rude and imperfect our own police was with respect to this object. It likewise struck me, that establishments, effectual for the prevention of the most infectious of all diseases, must afford many useful hints for guarding against the propagation of contagious distempers in general. These various considerations induced me, in the last edition of The State of Prisons, to express a wish "that some future traveller would give us plans of the lazarettos at Leghorn, Ancona, and other places." At length I determined to procure these plans, and acquire all the necessary information respecting them, myself; and, towards the end of the year 1785, I went abroad for the purpose of visiting the principal lazarettos in France and Italy. To the physicians employed in them, I proposed a set of queries respecting the nature and prevention of the plague; but their answers not affording satisfactory instruction, I proceeded to Smyrna and Constantinople. For, although the subjects of the Turkish Empire be little enlightened by the modern improvements in arts and sciences, I conceived that, from their intimate acquaintance with the disease in question, and from the great difference between their customs and manners, and ours, some practices might be found among them, and some information gained, not unworthy the notice of more polished nations. I also pleased myself with the idea, not only of learning, but of being able to communicate somewhat to the inhabitants of these distant regions, if they should have curiosity enough to inquire, and liberality to adopt the methods of treating and of preventing contagious diseases which had been found most successful among ourselves." 1

The first indication of his intention is given in a letter addressed to his cousin, Mr. Whitbread, on October 26, 1785.

John Howard to Samuel Whitbread, M.P.

"DEAR SIR,-For several months past I have thought on a scheme of a new publication, of an 8vo size, for the use of those who will give sincere attendance on prisons, hospitals, and poor-houses. This I had partly resolved on before I came to town; and it inclined me rather to sell than to let my Hackney estate. It will take me about eighteen months to collect new materials (three or four of them I shall be abroad, and shall go to Marseilles), to get plans of lazarettos, and to ascertain their manner of treating the sick. If I thought the French would now confine mel I would endeavour to get an ambassador's protection, or that of the Secretary of State. I know such schemes are liable to fatal miscarriages; but I have made up my mind on the subject; so I thought it proper to give you the earliest intelligence of my determination. With esteem, I am sincerely yours, JOHN HOWARD.”

In November he left England for Holland, intending to start his inquiries at Marseilles, where the jealousy of the French with regard to their trade in the Levant made it a matter of extreme difficulty to obtain access to the lazarettos. An attempt was made to gain permission for Howard to visit it, through the good offices of Lord Carmarthen, the Foreign Secretary. This was, however, unsuccessful, as Lord Carmarthen not only reported that "it was with some difficulty that even the Emperor was allowed to see the lazarettos," 1 but also assured Howard that he "must not think of entering France at all, as, if he did, he would run a risk of being committed to the Bastile." 2 Nothing daunted by the refusal of permission Howard determined to make the attempt without it. He crossed the frontier and boldly proceeded to Paris. What followed must be told in Brown's words.

"Immediately on his arrival he took his ticket for a seat in the Lyons diligence; and that he might incur less risk of discovery, lodged in an obscure inn, near the place whence that conveyance started. Having gone to bed, however, according to his usual custom about ten o'clock, he was awoke between twelve and one by a tremendous knocking at his room door, which, starting up in somewhat of an alarm, he immediately opened; and, having returned to bed, he saw the chambermaid enter with a candle in each hand, followed by a man in a black coat, with a sword by his side, and his hands enveloped in an