Decay Observed

1989beta.

Middle California:

mostly returned to "...arid wilderness." (p. 370);

small farms along rivers and primitive canals;

"Mud-walled fortresses..." (ibid.);

maybe wild horsemen.

The Midwest:

many huge but plundered holdings;

"...sod huts on thinly worked fields." (ibid.);

other holdings still ranching or farming around large, stockaded buildings;

small cities shrunken to towns or hamlets among ruined buildings;

Everard deduces a manorial economy because no trade.

Eastern North America:

fragments of higher civilization;

cities dwindled, run down or devastated;

gridiron streets;

large stone buildings in city centres;

slaves driven along the roads;

white and black field workers with armed supervisors;

cannon and cavalry fighting.

The Atlantic:

a few ships, with sails and guns, along the coasts;

none further out.

London:

a bigger version of the North American slums.

Paris:

like London;

right-angled intersections and central complexes;

medieval churches in poor shape;

Notre Dame half demolished;

newer churches smaller and humbler;

a battle at Versailles.

Grim but expected.