THE MARKET STONE.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3872, 11 May 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MARKET STONE.

Of all infectious diseases bubonic plague inspires tlio greatest dread. This is partly because of the terrible nature of the disease and partly because we have been taught how great were the ravages of the London visitation of 1G65, ami have not forgotten our first impression of horror. 'The Great Plague in the chief city of the Empire was responsible for a fear of intercommunion, one eJasa with another and ono family ■with another, that has never been 1 equalled diving any serious epidemic

since. As an example there is in the Arboretum 'Gardens, Derby, a relic which is known aa “ The Market Stone.” To avoid infection during plague year the country folk from the surrounding villages were in the habit of leaving their orders for anything they might want with the watchman who would go into the town, make the necessary purchases and deposit them on the stops of tho stone. To this later the people ■would come in fear and trembling and collect their goods, departing hurriedly for their homes without accosting or .replying to any neighbours they chanced to meet on the way. The Market Stone is a quaint reminder of a very terrible time, and in a way the most, instructive memorial existing to the Great Plague of Loudon.