9
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.
