The Awakening • 245wharfs and Custom House devoid of activity. Few boats could be seen on the
river. Scarcely any of Samuel Pepys’ business associates stopped by the Royal
Exchange; there was little news and less gossip to exchange. Londoners
hardly noticed the transfer of civic authority from Sir John Lawrence to Sir
Thomas Bludworth. The master of the vintners’ guild and a member of Par-
liament for Southwark, Sir Thomas had to play out his greatest triumph on
an empty stage. L’Estrange strove to put a good light on it in the next day’s
Newes,“the splendor and order of the Solemnity being somewhat inter-
rupted by the present visitation.”^2
Recorded fatalities from all causes had dropped sharply for six consecutive
weeks, from a high of 8 , 297 for September 12 – 19 to 1 , 388 during the week of
October 24 – 31 , a remarkable improvement. Yet the plague lingered, and
without warning the death toll shot up again. The jangled nerves of the sur-
vivors made them receptive to the worst rumors. It was hoped that the cold
weather would bring the plague toll down again, but one never knew what to
expect from one week to the next.
At his shop by Saint Paul’s, Sir William Turner hid his uneasiness as he
wrote at the end of October, “We are much joyd here by the continued de-
crease of ye sickness.” His credit still held, and perhaps he could soon cash
letters of credit and bills of exchange “at sight” with the help of his gold-
smiths. Unfortunately, Turner’s customers were not returning in large num-
bers, and those who did return couldn’t be cornered into paying bills for past
services. In November he admitted to his associates across the Channel,
“The merchants doe not yet come to towne so that I have not received one
penny of our money.” Still he reassured them, “You may be confident I watch
all opportunities.” Finally running short of patience, Sir William turned po-
litely but with determination on his most objectionable debtor: “As long as
civility or reason could require it, I have waited the pay of the sume due to
mee... I am too well acquainted with all manner of delayes and excuses to
be contented. Please to lett me know by [this carrier] where and when I may
receive my money without referring me to your returne or anything else.”
Two weeks later, Sir William wrote triumphantly to his Paris partners, “Mr
Wade hath payd mee £ 500. Mr Humphryes and others have promised me;
and I entend this week to send my man to Oxford to solicit Smith and others
there.”^3
That same month Samuel Pepys took stock of his own prospects as the
comatose city started to stir. He couldn’t help exulting in his good fortune at
having an office with the Navy Board. “How little merit doth prevail in the
world, but only favour. Chance without merit brought me in, and diligence