Mr D. Milne ox Earthquake Shocks in Great Britain, 118 
a most singular effect. The water descended from the trees 
as if it had been from a shower-bath, and I could see the drops 
falling upon the road like a passing shower, as if driven with 
a gale. The gentleman, Mr Buchanan, who was with me, 
but in the neighbouring field, made the same observation. In 
this shock, another still more singular phenomenon presented 
itself. The rain had ceased about twelve o'clock, and the day 
in a manner cleared up, but still the mist hung upon the hills, 
and there was a remarkable languor and listlessness in the at- 
mosphere. It was a dead calm ; but no sooner had the report 
which accompanied the earthquake died away upon the ear, 
than a gentle breeze was felt coming from the east. It in- 
creased for twenty minutes, when, as a sailor would say, it 
blew a ten knot breeze. This gradually lessened, and in forty 
minutes it was again a dead calm. This was remarked also by 
my friend Mr Buchanan as very singular, and indicated plainly 
that the atmosphere was put in motion to fill up some vacuum. 
I should have mentioned that the thermometer stood at 54°. 
In farther explanation of the foregoing statements, the fol- 
lowing notes may be added, jotted down by the author after 
a conversation with Mr Williamson. 
“f was half way between Lawers and Comrie on the turn- 
pike road, under an avenue of tall trees, walking with my face 
to west. Suddenly I heard a loud report, as if a ten-pounder 
had been fired. It seemed to come rather from south of line 
of road, crossing it obliquely in its course eastward. At same 
moment, trees above my head shaken ; shake came from west. 
I could not see ground rise, or any objects on it lifted up. I 
looked back towards east, and saw rain-drops descend from 
trees, as far as eye could reach. The concussion appeared 
to travel more quickly than sound,—and at least 800 or 900 
yards in 2’. All the shocks and reports felt by me during 
this month, seemed to issue from same locality. Mr Thomas 
Stirling of Struan told me, he was standing at this time on 
edge of a bank near river Erne, when ground gave way be- 
neath him,” 
Mr Stirling told the author that he felt one of the shocks 
at Siruan, as if coming from the northwards. There was a 
sound which preceded the shock. The earth seemed to trem- 
ble. He had a strong sensation of sea-sickness. 
VOL. XXXII. NO. LXIIL.— JANUARY 1842. | H 
