Page 348
The Farewell.
I wish the sad casualties may never return, which lately have happened in this Coun∣ty. The one 1581. in the Hundred of * 1.1 Dengy, the other 1648. in the Hundred of Roch∣ford and Isle of Foulness (rented in part by two of my credible Parishoners, who at∣tested it, having paid dear for the truth thereof,) whe•…•… an Army of Mice, nesting in Ant-hills, as Conies in Burroughs, shaved off the grass at the bare roots, which wither∣ing to dung was infectious to Cattle. The March following, numberless flocks of Owls from all parts flew thither, and destroyed them, which otherwise had ruined the Coun∣try, if continuing another year. Thus, though great the distance betwixt a Man and a Mouse, the meanest may become formidable to the mightiest creature by their multi∣tudes; and this may render the punishment of the Philistines more clearly to our ap∣prehensions, at the same time pestered with * 1.2 Mice in their barns, and pained with eme∣rods in their bodies.