Chapter X

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

later than; following

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for this there seems no foundation whatever.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

the basis on which something is grounded

From this reading But for this there seems no foundation whatever.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

placed in a grave

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

not any; not one

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

the middle of the day

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

and nothing more

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

cause to suffer a blight

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

spoil as if by poison

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

discussion of an event after it has occurred

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

most frequent or common

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

with speed

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But for this there seems no foundation whatever.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

having a handwritten signature

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

in the near future

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

From this reading After he had signed this in a shaky hand—I have seen the original document—he sank rapidly, and, despite of every remedy and stimulant, died before noon.

plural of “symptom” — (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

express in words

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But for this there seems no foundation whatever.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

a just detectable amount

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “This was all he could tell, and it threw no light upon the cause of the disaster.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading But for this there seems no foundation whatever.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

which person or people

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.

the day immediately before today

From this reading His body was the only one brought into port, and it was interred yesterday in the presence of a vast assembly.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading A _post-mortem_ examination failed to detect the slightest trace of poison or indication of disease; and all those who assisted in removing the dead bodies on board the _Lucca_, declare that they presented no known symptoms of any epidemic—for the prevailing belief in New York at first was that some epidemic had broken out—a kind of plague, which destroyed its victims almost as soon as attacked.