524 EEPOKT— 1891. 



bonding-timbers in the walls, in which case the elasticity of 

 the timber mostly preserved the l)uildings. CcEteris paribus, a 

 9in. wall withstood better than a 14in. one. 



The mortar seemed to be a matter of little consequence : it 

 was bad in most of the buildings, but even where Eoman 

 cement had been used the walls fell just the same ; only that, 

 instead of the bricks falling separately, they came down in 

 masses of eight or ten together. 



Hipped roofs stood decidedly better than gable-ends ; the 

 roof seemed to act as a tie to the w^alls. The chimneys of 

 many houses were twisted. 



Abstract of Account in Westminster Eeview by the late Mr. 

 Justice Chapman. 



At 1.40 a.m. on the 16th October, 1848, I was awakened by 

 the shock. The house rocked violently, bells rang, and clocks 

 stopped. For about three-quarters of a minute the shock 

 was so strong that it was with difiiculty I kept my legs. It 

 continued with some force for two or three minutes, and the 

 whole vibration lasted ten minutes. For one hour the shocks 

 scarcely ceased for a minute. During the whole morning until 

 between 6 and 7 o'clock the intervals were not long, and the 

 tremulous motion of the earth was continuous and nearly 

 incessant. Wind south-east to north-west during the night, 

 blowing a fierce gale with very heavy rain. At 9 on the 

 previous night the mercury stood at 29in. (500ft. above sea) ; 

 it had risen to 29-04 immediately after the first shock ; in 

 the morning it had subsided to 29-02, a very insignificant 

 variation. Many chimneys thrown down in town. Brick 

 buildings slightly injured. Most of the shocks came from 

 about north by east or north-north-east ; one or two seemed 

 more easterly — say, north-east ; and one seemed to have a 

 double source, meeting about this neighbourhood. The twisted 

 appearance of some of the chimneys confirms this. 



Tuesday, 17th.- -The shocks continued all day at varying 

 intervals. At tw^enty minutes before 4 a shock took place 

 of greater violence than the first. I was at Government 

 House. The house shook, jerked, and then vibrated, so as to 

 shake all loose articles to the ground. I found it necessary to 

 steady myself on my legs. There was first a short shock of 

 four or five seconds' duration, and of moderate force ; then 

 came a loud sound from the northward and eastward ; and 

 then the strong shock. The French windows burst their 

 fastenings, and flew outwards. The chimney-piece was cleared 

 of its ornaments, the bottles flew from the table. Its extreme 

 force continued about a minute, perhaps rather less. Chimneys 

 lay prostrate in all directions. 



