Awful phenomena of nature! earthquakes
CHEAP TRACTS, No. 5.
Awful Phenomena of Nature!
EARTHQUAKES.
BEING AN ACCOUNT OF
The Earthquake at Lisbon in 1755,—
at Caraccas in 1812,—in Scotland
in 1816,—and at Aleppo in 1822.
"He looketh on the earth and it trembleth."
DUNFERMLINE:
PRINTED AND SOLD BY JOHN MILLER.
1826.
ACCOUNT OF THE
EARTHQUAKE AT LISBON,
BY A SPECTATOR.
There never was a finer morning seen ⟨than⟩ the first of November, 1755. The sun ⟨shone⟩ in his full lustre, and the whole face of ⟨the⟩ sky was perfectly serene and clear. Not ⟨the⟩ least sign or warning was afforded of ⟨that⟩ approaching event, which rendered the ⟨once⟩ flourishing, opulcnt and populous city ⟨of⟩ Lisbon a scene of the utmost horror ⟨and⟩ desolation.
On the morning of this fatal day, between the hours of nine and ten, I was sitting ⟨in⟩ my apartment, and had just finished letter, when the table I was writing on began to tremble with a gentle motion, which surprised me, as I could not perceive a breath of wind stirring. Whilst I was reflecting on what could be the cause, the whole house began to shake from the very foundation, which at first I imputed to the rattling of coaches in the street; but on listening more attentively, I found it was owing to a frightful noise under ground, resembling the rumbling of distant thunder. All this passed in less than a minute. I now began to be alarmed, as it occurred to me, that the noise might possibly be the presage of an approaching earthquake.
I threw down my pen, and started upon my feet, remaining for a moment in ⟨suspense⟩, whether I should stay in the ⟨apartment⟩, or run into the street; but in an ⟨instant⟩ I was roused from my dream, being ⟨stunned⟩ with a most horrid crash, as though ⟨every⟩ edifice in the city had tumbled down ⟨at⟩ once. The house I was in shook with ⟨such⟩ violence, that the upper stories ⟨immediately⟩ fell in; and though my apartment which was on the first floor) did not ⟨immediately⟩ share the same fate, yet every ⟨thing⟩ was thrown out of its place, and it ⟨was⟩ with difficulty that I kept my feet. ⟨I⟩ expected nothing less than to be crushed ⟨to⟩ death, as the walls continued rocking to and fro in the most frightful manner, ⟨and⟩ opening in several places; large stones ⟨fell⟩ down on every side by the cracks, and ⟨the⟩ end of most of the rafters started at ⟨the⟩ same time from the wall. The sky in ⟨a⟩ moment became so gloomy, that I ⟨could⟩ distinguish no particular object. It ⟨was⟩ an Egyptian darkness, such as might ⟨be⟩ felt; owing to the prodigious clouds ⟨of⟩ dust and lime, raised from so violent a concussion, and from the overthrow of so many buildings, and, as some reported, ⟨from⟩ sulphurous exhalations. However, it ⟨is⟩ certain that I found myself almost ⟨choked⟩ for nearly ten minutes.
As soon as the gloom began to disperse and the violence of the shock to abate, ⟨the⟩ first object I perceived in my room was ⟨a⟩ woman sitting on the floor, with an ⟨infant⟩ in her arms, covered with dust, pale ⟨and⟩ trembling. I asked her how she came there; but her consternation was so great that she gave me no account: She asked me in the utmost agony, if I did not ⟨think⟩ the world was at an end; at the same ⟨time⟩ she complained of being choked, and begged I would procure her a little drink. ⟨I⟩ told her she must not think of quenching her thirst, but of saving her life, as ⟨the⟩ house was just falling on our heads, and a second shock would certainly bury usI hurried down stairs, the woman holding by my arm, and made directly to the end of the street which opens to the river Tagus: but finding the passage completely blocked up by the fallen houses, I turned back; having helped the woman over a vast heap of ruins, with no small hazard to my own life. Just as we were going into the street, there was one part which I could not climb over without the assistance of my hands as well as my feet. I therefore desired her to let go her hold, which she did, remaining two or three feet behind me; and at this moment there fell a vast stone from a tottering wall, and crushing both her and the child in pieces!
I had now a long narrow street to pass, in which the houses on each side were four or five stories high, all very old, and the greater part of them already thrown down, or continually falling, and threatening the passengers with death at every step, numbers of whom lay killed before me, or what was more deplorable, so wounded and bruised, that they could not move so as to escape the destruction which impended over them.
As self-preservation, however, is the first law of nature, I proceeded as fast as I could: and having got clear of the narrow street. I found myself in safety in the large ⟨open⟩ space before St. Paul’s church, which had been thrown down a few minutes before, and had buried a great part of a numerous congregation. Here I stood for some time, considering what I should do; but not thinking myself safe, I climbed over the ruins of the west end of the church to get to the river-side, that I might be removed as far as possible from the tottering houses, in the dreadful event of a second shock.
This with some difficulty I accomplished; and by the river-side I found a prodigious concourse of both sexes, and of all ranks and conditions. All these, whom their mutual dangers had here assembled as to a place of safety were on their knees at prayer, with the terrors of death in their countenances, every one striking his breast and crying incessantly to heaven for mercy and protection.
In the midst of our devotions, the second shock came with little less violence than the first, and it completed the ruin of those buildings which had already been shattered. The consternation now became so universal, that shrieks and cries could be distinctly heard from a considerable distance: at the same time we heard the fall of the parish church, whereby many were killed on the spot. The force of the shock was so great ⟨that⟩ I could scarcely support my self on my ⟨knees⟩; and it was attended with some ⟨circumstances⟩ still more dreadful than the former. On a sudden I heard a general ⟨cry⟩, “The sea is coming in; we shall all be ⟨lost⟩.” Upon this, turning my eyes towards ⟨the⟩ river Tagus, which in that place is near ⟨four⟩ miles broad, I perceived it heaving and ⟨swelling⟩ in a most unaccountable manner, ⟨for⟩ no wind was stirring. In an instant ⟨there⟩ appeared, at a small distance, a large ⟨body⟩ of water, rising like a mountain. It ⟨approached⟩ foaming and roaring and rushed ⟨towards⟩ the shore with such rapidity, that ⟨we⟩ all ran for our lives as fast as possible. ⟨Many⟩ were actually swept away: for my ⟨own⟩ part, I had a narrow escape, and should ⟨certainly⟩ have been lost had I not grasped ⟨a⟩ large beam that lay on the ground, 'till ⟨the⟩ water returned again to its channel, ⟨which⟩ it did almost at the same instant, ⟨with⟩ equal rapidity.
As there now appeared at least as much ⟨danger⟩ from the sea as the land, I scarcely ⟨knew⟩ whither to retire for safety: I ⟨therefore⟩ took a sudden resolution to return ⟨back⟩ to the area of St. Paul’s. Here I stood some time, and observed the ships tumbling ⟨and⟩ tossing about, as in a violent storm. ⟨Some⟩ had broken their cables, and were ⟨carried⟩ to the other side of the Tagus, others were whirled round with incredible ⟨swiftness⟩, several large boats were turned ⟨keel⟩ upwards; and all this without any ⟨wind⟩. It was at this time that the new quay, ⟨built⟩ of rough marble, was entirely swallowed ⟨up⟩ with all the people on it, who had ⟨fled⟩ there for safety, and had reason to ⟨consider⟩ themselves out of danger. At the ⟨same⟩ time, a great number of boats and ⟨small⟩ vessels, which were anchored near it, all ⟨full⟩ of people, (who ⟨had⟩ retired to them for ⟨the⟩ same purpose) were all swallowed up, as a whirlpool, and never more appeared.
I did not see this last dreadful ⟨incident⟩ with my own eyes, as it occurred a ⟨quarter⟩ of a mile from the spot where I was, ⟨but⟩ I had the account from several masters ships, who were anchored near the ⟨quay⟩ and who saw the whole catastrophe. ⟨One⟩ of them informed me, that during ⟨the⟩ second shock, he perceived the whole ⟨city⟩ moving backwards and forwards, like ⟨the⟩ sea when the wind begins to rise: and ⟨the⟩ agitation of the earth was so great, ⟨even⟩ under the river, that it threw up his ⟨large⟩ anchor from the mooring, which seemed ⟨to⟩ swim on the surface of the water. ⟨That⟩ immediately on this extraordinary ⟨concussion⟩, the river rose at once near ⟨twenty⟩ feet, and in a moment subsided; at ⟨which⟩ instant he saw the quay, with the ⟨immense⟩ concourse of people upon it, sink down; and at the same time, the boats and vessels that were near it were also drawn into the cavity, which instantly closed, inasmuch that no sign of a wreck was ever afterwards seen. I went myself in a few days, but could not find even the ruins of a place where I had taken so many agreeable walks; I found it all deep water, and in some parts so deep as scarcely to be fathomed.
I had not been long in the area of St. Paul’s church-yard, when I felt the third shock; which though less violent than the former, the sea rushed in again, but retired in like manner. I took notice that the waters retired so impetuously, as to leave some vessels quite dry, which rode in seven-fathoms water.
Perhaps you may think the subject concluded: but, alas! the horrors of this day are enough to fill a volume. As soon as it grew dark in the evening, another scene presented itself, little less shocking than those already described. The whole city appeared in a blaze, so bright that I could see to read. It was, without exaggeration, on fire in a hundred different places at once, and it continued burning for six days together without intermission, or without the least attempt to stop its progress, such were the distress and consternation of the survivors.I could not learn that this terrible fire was owing to any subterraneous eruption. The first of November being All Saints day, every altar in every church and ⟨chapel⟩ (some of which have more than twenty⟨)⟩ was illuminated with a number of wax tapers and lamps; which setting fire to the curtains and timber work that fell with the shock, the conflagration soon spread to the neighbouring houses. The fire, in consequence destroyed the whole city, at least every thing that was grand or valuable.
The number of persons that perished, including those who were burnt or were afterwards crushed to death whilst digging in the ruins, is supposed on the lowest calculation to have amounted to more than sixty thousand. This extensive and opulent city was nothing but a vast heap ⟨of⟩ ruins; the rich and poor were all upon a level, and some thousands of families, ⟨who⟩ but the day before, had been easy in their circumstances, were scattered in the fields wanting every convenience, and finding none able to relieve them. EARTHQUAKE AT THE CARACCAS.
The following statement of this calamitous event is taken from a supplement to the St. Thomas’s gazette, dated 9th April, 1812.
The 26th March has been a day of woe and horror to the province of Venezuela. At four p. m. the city of Caraccas stood in all its splendour. A few minutes latter, 4500 houses, 19 churches and convents, together with all the public buildings, monuments, &c. were crushed to atoms by a sudden shoke of an earthquake, which did not last a minute, and burried thousands of its inhabitants in ruins and desolation. That day happened to be Holy,or Maunday-Thursday; and at the precise hour, every place of worship being crowded to commemorate the commencement of our Saviour’s passion by public procession, which was to proceed through the streets a few minutes afterwards, augmented the number of hapless sufferers to an incredible amount, as every church was levelled to the ground before any person could be aware of the danger. The number of sufferers taken out of one of the churches amounting (two days after this disaster) alone, to upward of 300 corpses, besides those it may be presumed could not yet have been taken out of such ruins, gives an idea of the extent of the calamity. The number of dead ⟨are⟩ differently stated, from four to six, and as far as eighteen thousand. Horrible as this catastrophe appears,it would be a matter of some consolation to know, that the vicinity of that city offered some support to surviving mourners; but the ⟨next⟩ town and sea port thereto, viz. La Guira, has, in proportion, suffered still more, as well as its immediate coast. Huge masses of the mountains detached themselves from the summits, and were hurled down into the vallies. Deep clefts and separations of the immense bed of rocks still threaten future disasters to the hapless survivors, who are now occupied in burying and burning the dead, and in relieving the numerous wounded and cripples perishing for want of surgical and medical aid, shelter, and other comforts.”
“Dear Sir,—Many a time in my life have I experienced the goodness of a merciful God towards me, but never so conspicuously as in my preservation during the tremendaous exertion of his power, which has shaken the mountains to their foundation, and levelled the greatest part of this city, as also that of Caraccas, with the ground—more than 10,000 have been buried, and most of them now lie beneath ⟨the⟩ ruins! The stench arising from the ⟨dead⟩ bodies, is intolerable—such of them ⟨as⟩ could be come at, have been thrown into ⟨the⟩ sea, or collected into heaps and burned ⟨to⟩ ashes.
It is imagined that seven-eights of the ⟨houses⟩ in this city are demolished, and of ⟨those⟩ which still stand there are not perhaps ⟨twenty⟩ that will be found tenable. The ⟨customhouse⟩, which was built very strong, ⟨is⟩ not much injured—the house which I ⟨occupy⟩ is three stories high, and was likewise very strong—it stood the shock without falling, but it was so ⟨much⟩ injured that ⟨I⟩ do not intend to sleep in it, especially as we are continually kept in a state of alarm ⟨by⟩ the frequent shocks which have daily ⟨taken⟩ place ever since the 26th ult. When ⟨the⟩ first great shock occurred, I ran out of ⟨my⟩ house, and in my amazement, I turned ⟨round⟩, and beheld it rocking like a cradle, ⟨which⟩, with the roaring of the earthquake, ⟨the⟩ screams of the people, and the crashing ⟨perhaps⟩ of a thousand buildings, made the ⟨scene⟩ horrible beyond description!” EARTHQUAKES IN ⟨SCOTLAND⟩
August, 1816.
Although Britain happily is not ⟨naturally a⟩ seat of these dreadful agitations of ⟨nature⟩ it has yet occasionally experienced them ⟨in⟩ a minor degree. During the ⟨earthquake⟩ which destroyed Lisbon in 1756, the ⟨waters⟩ both of Loch Lomond and of Loch T(illegible text) rose, in five minutes very ⟨considerably⟩ above their natural level, and then ⟨subsided⟩ as rapidly. At the same time shocks ⟨were⟩ felt in different parts of England; and ⟨by⟩ one place in Yorkshire, a rock was ⟨raised⟩ from its place, and thrown to some ⟨distance⟩ in shattered fragments. In 1801, a ⟨very⟩ smart shock was felt entirely across ⟨the⟩ island, from Greenock to Edinburgh. ⟨The⟩ centre appears, however, to have been ⟨in⟩ Strathearn. Three years afterwards, ⟨in⟩ 1804, a series of less severe shocks were ⟨felt⟩ in the latter quarter, particularly at Comr(illegible text)
The present earthquake appears to ⟨have⟩ extended entirely across the island, at ⟨a⟩ point considerably more to the north ⟨than⟩ any of those now alluded to. Its ⟨direction⟩ seems to have been from WNW. to ES The shock was felt on the western coast of Ross-shire, at Gairlosh and ⟨Applecross⟩ ⟨most⟩ strongly, we believe, at the latter ⟨place⟩. At Coul, 18 miles to the west of ⟨Innverness⟩, it was very strong. Inverness ⟨and⟩ the vicinity might be considered as its ⟨centre⟩; and it reached with little ⟨diminution⟩ to Aberdeen and Montrose. To the ⟨north⟩ of Inverness it seems to have rapidly ⟨decayed⟩. At Cromarty it was much less ⟨severe⟩; and at Geanies, ten or twelve miles ⟨farther⟩ to the north-east, it was very slight, ⟨and⟩ by some not felt at all. At Perth, ⟨and⟩ along the Earn and Tay, it seems to ⟨have⟩ been sensibly, but not so violently ⟨felt⟩. In Edinburgh it was just perceptible; ⟨was⟩ unnoticed by the majority of the {{reconstruct|innabitants}; and most, even of those who ⟨felt⟩ the shock, did not recognise it as ⟨proceeding⟩ from this cause, till they learned its more sensible action in other quarters. We ⟨have⟩ ascertained, however, on the most ⟨respectable⟩ authority, that it was noticed ⟨and⟩ mentioned by several individuals ⟨before⟩ any such accounts could have been ⟨received⟩
The following ⟨extract⟩ will afford a pretty full view of the phenomena which attended this great convulsion of nature, at the principal points of its action:—
“Last night, exactly a quarter before 11 o’clock, the town of Inverness and the surrounding country was fearfully shook by one of the most awful phenomena in ⟨the⟩ dispensation of Providence—an ⟨earthquake⟩ C. and I were sitting chatting together ⟨after⟩ supper, when we were suddenly ⟨startled⟩ by one of the most sudden and ⟨uncommon⟩ percussions I had ever felt, and which ⟨instantly⟩ suggested to us the cause. I ⟨could⟩ think of nothing that could give so ⟨good⟩ an idea of what we felt, as that of a ⟨person⟩ being on the back of a horse, when he ⟨suddenly⟩ and violently shakes himself. ⟨We⟩ flew to the street, where we found ⟨almost⟩ every inhabitant, women and ⟨children⟩ screaming, and a very ⟨considerable⟩ ⟨proportion⟩ of them naked. Many flew to ⟨the⟩ fields. and there remained for the great part of the night. Chimney-tops ⟨were⟩ thrown down or damaged in ⟨every⟩ quarter of the town. The ⟨Mason's⟩ Lodge, occupied as an hotel, was rent ⟨from⟩ top to bottom, the north stalk of the ⟨chimney⟩ partly thrown down—one of the ⟨caping⟩ stones, weighing, I should think, from ⟨fifty⟩ to sixty pounds, was thrown to the ⟨other⟩ side of the street, a distance not less ⟨than⟩ sixty feet. The spire of the steeple, ⟨which⟩ I think one of the handsomest in ⟨Scotland⟩ has been seriously injured, and must ⟨in⟩ part be taken down. The spire is an ⟨octagon⟩; and within five or six feet of ⟨the⟩ top, the angles of the octagon are ⟨turned⟩ nearly to the middle of the ⟨square⟩ or flat side of the octagon, immediately under it.—What is more wonderful than any thing attending this memorable event, notwithstanding the vast quantities of stones ⟨and⟩ bricks that have been thrown from such immense heights, not one single person has received any hurt. I have only further to remark, that it was not attended with any of those phenomena that have been said to accompany earthquakes. The day Had been beautiful and serene,and still continues so; no agitations or raising was observable in the river; and it has been frequently observed, that in countries subject to these awful visitations, the mercury suddenly falls in the barometer; this I inssantly attended to, but no alteration took place.”
“Last night, a few minutes before eleven o’clock, a shock of an earthquake was most distinctly felt here, which had the effect of seriously alarming many families; and many who were in bed were awakened by the concussion, Those who had newly retired to rest were most sensible of the shock, as they felt their beds move, first in a horizontal direction, and then back to the former situation; after which a tremulous motion was felt, as when a thing settles on its basis, after being in commotion. Others describe the effect as similar to ⟨that⟩ which is experienced by the slight rolling of a ship at sea.— The chairs and tables in many houses were put in motion; and, in some cases, the leaves of folding tables were ⟨heard⟩ to rattle; the fire-irons in many instances rung against the fenders; and bells in rooms and passages were set a-ringing; in many kitchens, the cooking utensils and dishes made a noise, and next morning many of the doors were found difficult to open—One gentleman observed his book-case move from the wall and fall back again upon it. It is impossible to describe the state of alarm which most people were thrown into by this unusual occurrence Many leaped from bed,imagining their houses were falling, while others ran down stairs in great anxiety, supposing that some ⟨accident⟩ had happened in the lower part of their house; as it did not readily occur to many what was the real cause of the motion they felt.—Nor was the terror confined alone to the human species; a bird in a cage was so alarmed that it burst through it, and flew towards the tight. The shock lasted for about three or four seconds; and I understand was felt for a considerable distance round, as far as Johnshaven. In this neighbourhood, two excisemen, who were on the watch ⟨for⟩ smugglers, whom they expected in a certain direction, had lain down on the ground, and when shock took place one of them leaped up, ⟨saying⟩ to his companion—“There they are; I feel the ground shaking under their (illegible text)ses' feet." Fortunately we have heard of ⟨no⟩ serious injury having been occasioned by ⟨the⟩ event. The weather here had been cold ⟨and⟩ rainy for about six weeks, but cleared (illegible text)nt mid-day on Sunday, when we had a (illegible text) dry westerly breeze. The two following ⟨days⟩ were warm, and last night quite and ⟨moonlight⟩. It continued clear till late this ⟨morning⟩, when it became dull, and we have ⟨had⟩ some rain. It is now one o clock, rather (illegible text)try, with no sunshine."
"It is with feelings of awe we have to state, that last ⟨night⟩, about eleven o’clock, a shock of an earthquake ⟨was⟩ distinctly felt in the various quarters of this city. ⟨It⟩ took place at four minutes before eleven, and ⟨continued⟩, as nearly as we could estimate, about six ⟨seconds⟩. The undulation appeared to come from ⟨SE.⟩ and was simultaneously felt at the distance of ⟨nine⟩ miles in the direction of NNW. From the late ⟨hour⟩ at which it happened, we have been unable to ⟨collect⟩, for this day’s paper, the particulars of those (illegible text)ried appearances which it may have exhibited in ⟨different⟩ quarters of the city.—Where we sat, the ⟨house⟩ was shaken to its foundation, the heaviest ⟨articles⟩ of furniture were moved, and that rumbling ⟨noise⟩ was heard, as if some heavy body was rolling ⟨along⟩ the roof. In many houses the bells were set a-⟨ringing⟩, and the agitation of the wires continued ⟨visible⟩ for some time after the cessation of the shock. ⟨It⟩ has been described to us, by one who was in ⟨Lisbon at that period⟩ as exactly resembling the commencement of the earthquake in that city, on th(illegible text) of June, 1807. A second but more partial ⟨shock⟩ was felt at half-past eleven; since which ⟨time⟩ have had no return of this awful and unusual (illegible text)tion of Providence. The air, during the night, ⟨was⟩ mild and calm, with clear moonlight; and the appearance after the shock was, that of a thin w(illegible text) vapour settling on the surrounding hills."
"A most extraordinary thing happend to (illegible text) this quarter, about ten minutes before eleven ⟨o'clock⟩ last night—nothing more than less than a shock (illegible text) earthquake, which might last about the ⟨third⟩ a minute. The houses shook, and the ⟨inhabitants⟩ were dreadfully alarmed, as nothing of that kind ⟨had⟩ happened before.—No damage was done, farther (illegible text) a good fright. We had happened not to be in ⟨and⟩ we had an opportunity of perceiving the w(illegible text) effects of the shock. The glasses on the table ⟨shook⟩ as well as the tables ⟨and⟩ chairs—the doors also ⟨made⟩ a noise, and a few things in the garret rattled ⟨about⟩ I believe in one house the shock was so great, the bells were set a-ringing by it."
"A slight shock of an earthquake was felt (illegible text) night, a few minutes before eleven o’clock. I ⟨had⟩ just gone to bed, and noticed the concussion, ⟨without⟩ at the time, being aware of its nature.—The ⟨house⟩ seemed to be shaken, as if some heavy piece of ⟨furniture⟩ had been dragged on the floor of the ⟨adjoining⟩ apartment. The hurling sound continued for a ⟨few⟩ seconds. The clock on the stairs was observed by other inmates of the house to warn twice ⟨before⟩ eleven was struck; and the rumbling was so ⟨general⟩ that almost every family in the town and ⟨neighbourhood⟩ was disturbed. Several people thought ⟨robbers⟩ were breaking into their houses; and sundry ⟨other⟩ interruptions were fortunately the only ⟨cousequence⟩ this tremendous phenomenon. The evening was ⟨quite⟩ calm; and a friend of mine, who was roused ⟨from⟩ bed by the shock, looked at his barometer, ⟨which⟩, however, was not affected. There was no ⟨percptible⟩ influence on the sea. The shock was felt at ⟨Fraserburgh⟩."
EARTHQUAKES AT ALEPPO.
Aleppo, one of the most beautiful citics of ⟨the⟩ Turkish cmpire, containing 40,000 houses ⟨and⟩ 200,000 inhabitants, has been visited by an ⟨earthquake⟩ resembling those which laid waste Lisbon and ⟨Cumbria⟩, in the last century.
The first and most severe shock occurred on ⟨the⟩ 13th of August, 1822, about ten in the evening, ⟨and⟩ instantly buried thousands of the inhabitants ⟨under⟩ the ruins of their clegant mansions of stone, some which deserve the name of palaces. Several ⟨other⟩ shocks succeeded, and even on the 16th, shocks ⟨were⟩ still experienced, some of which were sevcre. ⟨Two⟩ thirds of the houses of this populous city are in ⟨ruins⟩ and along with them an immense quantity of ⟨valuable⟩ goods of all kinds from Persia and India ⟨have⟩ been destroyed.
According to the first accounts of this event, ⟨while⟩ through alarm may have been exagerated, the ⟨number⟩ of the sufferers amounts to from 25 to ⟨30,000.⟩ Among thcm is one of the best men in the city, ⟨the⟩ Imperial Consul-General, the Chevalier Esdras V Piecotto.—Having escaped the danger of being ⟨buried⟩ under the ruins of his own house he hastened ⟨with⟩ some of his family towards the gate of the city; ⟨but⟩ as he was passing a Khan, a new shock occurred, ⟨and⟩ a wall fell down, which buried him and those ⟨with⟩ him. Tartars who have arrived at ⟨Constantinople⟩ from Damascus, report that they saw the whole ⟨population⟩ of Aleppo encamped in the environs. ⟨They⟩ state that scveral other towns in the Pachalat Aleppo and Tripoli, particularly Antioch and La(illegible text)dicea, have been destroyed by this carthquake. ⟨The⟩ captain of a French ship also has reported that ⟨two⟩ rocks, at the time of the earthquake, had risen ⟨from⟩ the sea in the ncighbourhood of Cyprus, which is ⟨at⟩ most of the same latitude as Aleppo.⟨As⟩ soon as the Arabs and the Bedouins of the (illegible text)ian desert obtained information of the calamity ⟨which⟩ had befallen Aleppo, they hastened in hordes ⟨to exercise⟩ the trade of plunder in that immense grave. (illegible text)orem Pacha, however, drove them back, and also ⟨executed⟩ several Janissaries, who had committed ⟨degredations⟩ among the dead bodies and ruins.
The great number of unburied bodies, in this ⟨extremely⟩ hot period of the year, has produced ⟨pestilential⟩ effluvia, and obliged the unfortunate ⟨inhabitants⟩ to seek for refuge in some remote district.
Naturalists have remarked that the earthquake at ⟨Aleppo⟩ was preceded and followed nearly at the same ⟨time⟩ by other earthquakes at immense distances. In (illegible text)lition to those of Carlstadt, in Sweden; and Dan(illegible text) in England; an earthquake happened on the (illegible text) of August, in Siberia. A private letter from (illegible text)msk, in Siberia, dated the 28th of July, (9th of ⟨August⟩, new style) gives the following detail:—"At ⟨ten⟩ minutes past ten at night, a violent earthquake ⟨was⟩ felt in our city. The shock was so violent that ⟨I could⟩ not write, but hurried out of my chamber. ⟨The⟩ house shook, and we heard a terrible noise. The ⟨direction⟩ of the shock was from north to south. It ⟨lasted⟩ nearly sixty seconds. The weather was calm ⟨and⟩ serene."
The city of Latakia (the Laodicea of Holy Writ,) ⟨which⟩ is about seventy-five miles distant from Aleppo, ⟨has⟩, like the latter city, been visited with an ⟨earthquake⟩, in the night of the 13th of August, which has ⟨done⟩ great damage. A shock had been felt on the (illegible text)ch, and it was imagined that all was over, when, ⟨on⟩ the 13th, about twenty minutes past nine in the ⟨evening⟩, a slight trembling was the harbinger of most ⟨violent⟩ shocks that immediately followed. They ⟨began⟩ from north to south, and then took a direction ⟨from⟩ east to west. The shock continued for forty ⟨seconds⟩. The quarter in which the houses of the Consuls are situated has suffered the most. A (illegible text) part of the city lies in ruins. Several villages i(illegible text) environs are wholly destroyed. Of the little ⟨town⟩ Gibelette three-fourths are destroyed. Its ⟨harbour⟩ is chocked up by the ruins of the houses that (illegible text) fallen into it. Three hundred persons have lost lives on this occasion.
EARTHQUAKE AT COMRIE,
1822.
Extract of a letter, dated Comrie 15th ⟨April.⟩ "About half past nine on Saturday (the 13th inst) while at brcakfast, we were visited with the ⟨smartest⟩ shock of an earthquake that has been felt in neighbourhood for the last fifteen or twenty ⟨years.⟩ It was accompanied by two very loud reports apparently above our heads, and the other, v(illegible text) followed immediately afterwards, under our (illegible text). The noise of thcse, which was more terrific ⟨than⟩ thunder, lasted, I should think, fully thirty ⟨seconds.⟩ It set our kitchen utensils a-ringing, and ⟨brought⟩ down some of the covers of the pots and ⟨pans.⟩ ⟨I⟩ have felt much severer shocks in the West ⟨Indies⟩ but not accompanied with such a noise. The ⟨situation⟩ it created in me was exactly like that I ⟨have⟩ on the deck of a vessel on her guns being ⟨discharged."⟩
22.—This morning, betwcen nine and ten ⟨o'clock⟩ a smart shock of an earthquake was felt at ⟨Durham⟩ accompanied by a rumbling noise ⟨resembling the⟩ falling of a building.—It was felt and heard (illegible text) Strathtay.
FINIS.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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