360 



This earthquake appears to have been felt chiefly in the Midland counties, 

 and its greatest force was probably experienced in the Golden Valley and in this 

 neighbourhood. The shock was certainly a very severe one ; and the under- 

 ground sound was loud and appalling. Those who were awake at the time, and 

 especially those who were out of doors, were far more powerfully affected by the 

 sound and mo\'ement than those who were roused from their sleep by the com- 

 motion. A very intelligent policeman told me, about ten minutes after the 

 event, that he heard the sound approaching before the shock reached the place 

 where he stood, and felt a strange kind of terror come over himself. " It was," — 

 to use his own words — "more dreadful to hear it coming than to feel it when it 

 came." 



When the wave passed, the rocking of the earth was so violent that this 

 policeman and a companion found a difficulty in keeping their footing, and were 

 obliged to hold each other to prevent themselves from falling. Immediately 

 afterwards they heard the sound passing away in an easterly direction. 



Was this movement the effect or shock of some distant earthquake, or was 

 it central with us ; caused by an explosion in the earth's crust directly under this 

 island? 



Two men highly distinguished by their scientific attainments are now 

 engaged in investigations which may throw much light on this subject. The 

 question will be, doubtless, fully discussed at the next meeting of the British 

 Association. 



EDWIN JAMES ISBELL. 



