Citation |
BEP(F.749.052
6 Nov 1749:12 (743)
Extract of a letter from Prague, Sept. 13, N.S. We have
receiv'd advice that four great swarms of locusts are
ravaging the circle of Pilsen in this Kingdom; and according
to letters from Budweis, a prodigious quantity of those
insects had infected all the country round about that city,
the inhabitants of which, in conjunction with the peasants
and a detachment of the garrison, who took with them eight
field-pieces, did at last drive away the locusts, by firing
upon them with those pieces, making a hedious clatter with
kettles, frying-pans, &c. and ringing all the bells: But
those troublesome guests did not remove far; for within a
league of the town they settled in such great numbers on the
trees, that many of the branches broke down under the load.
All the following night the people burnt straw under those
trees, by which means they destroy'd as many of those
insects as fill'd 160 sacks; . . . [5 lines]
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