On the Earthquake in Colombia. 381 



for me my house was well built, for had it fallen, I should 

 inevitably have been buried in the ruins. To describe, the 

 scene which ensued is diflicult ; the streets were filled with 

 despair; some entirely and others half naked were seen on 

 their knees imploring divine protection with all the energy 

 which the catholic religion empowered them, each hailing his 

 favourite saint to stretch forth his hand and help them, with the 

 enthusiasm of madmen ; no one knew what to do or where to 

 fly, for all were in the same consternation and distress. After 

 this had a little subsided, the city became soon deserted, and 

 a fresh scene presented itself ; all those who had horses, were 

 seen scampering through the streets towards the plain, to 

 elude the terror of another shock, others on foot with their 

 beds on their backs ; and the sick, wrapped up in blankets, were 

 conveyed in armchairs, with two sticks passed underneath 

 them to form sedan chairs, and some were conveyed in 

 hammocks. This afflicting sight, accompanied by the cries of 

 the distressed and the melancholy chaunt of their progress, was 

 painful in the extreme ; and hard, indeed, must be that heart, 

 who could view it with indifference ; yet such was the apathy 

 occasioned by terror, that scarcely any one offered assistance 

 to his neighbour, and frequently neglected his own safety. 

 When all was quiet, I went out to examine the city. The first 

 thing which attracted my notice was the turret of the stately 

 cathedral partly demolished, and the building split and cracked 

 in various places ; the precious stones, consisting of diamonds, 

 emeralds, and topazes, which adorned the interior, were 

 scattered in all directions, and many of them broken, particu- 

 larly a very large emerald weighing some ounces. This 

 edifice had but just been repaired from the effects of the 

 earthquake in the preceding year, and was, by this last, reduced 

 to a tattered ruin. In all the streets which ran in the direction 

 of N. W. and S. E., many houses were •'levelled with the 

 dust," and others '^rent in twain," and some of the unfortunate 

 inhabitants buried beneath their ruins. In all, fourteen per- 

 sons have lost their lives ; and the damage done to the city is 

 estimated to be at least six millions of dollars, although it did 

 not contain a larger population than 30,000 souls. Deserted 

 streets, heaps of ruins, and tottering houses, threatening to^ 



APRIL— JULY, 1828. 2 C '** 



