MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. 179 
(sixty-six years prior to the settlement of the Islands), and 
that the inscription on “Spanish,” or “Spaniard’s Rock,” 
has been cut by some of the hapless survivors of its crew, 
correctly shewing the date of the catastrophe—J. L. H. 
THE EArRTHQUAKE—On Tuesday night last (March 2, 
1858), a sensation, happily but little known in these Islands, 
was felt from one extremity to the other of the group. As 
soon as the surprise of the moment allowed time for reflec- 
tion, all perceived that Bermuda was being shaken by an 
earthquake, and many, especially those who elsewhere have 
witnessed the dread effects of this disastrous phenomenon, 
became much alarmed. Many hastily prepared themselves 
for escape, and others began to cast about for some place of 
security and safety. 
The shock occurred as nearly as possible at thirty minutes 
past ten o’clock, and continued for several seconds, how 
many it is extremely difficult to conjecture, but all, the ex- 
perienced as well as the novices, observed that it was avery 
protracted one. We have heard several West Indians say 
that they have seldom felt a more decided or more prolonged 
shock. 
The direction in which the earthquake travelled seemed 
to be from South West to North East, or from South to 
North. An accurate statement, however, on this point can 
only be obtained from a comparison of the time when it 
touched the various parts of the Islands, and this cannot 
easily be obtained, when there is no common public standard 
of time. 
Those who saw the water in Hamilton Harbour say that 
it was much and peculiarly agitated, as is so frequently the 
case on such occasions. Vessels strained hard at their 
