Description of the Eruption of Sovffrier Mountain. 69 



nilion was observed on the lips of the crater; but it is not 

 asserted that there was as yet any visible ascension of 

 flame. The same awful scene presented itself on Tues* 

 day; the fall of faviila and calcined petjbles still increasing, 

 and the compact pitchy colinTUi from the crater rising per- 

 pendicuiariv to an immense height, with a noi>e at inter- 

 vals like the nmtttring of distant thunder. On Wednesday 

 the 2<)th all these menacing symptoms of horror and com- 

 bustion stdl gathered more thick and terntic for niiies 

 around the dismal and half-obscured mountain. The pro- 

 digious column shot up with quicker motion, dilating as it 

 rose like a balloon. The sun appeared in total eclipse, and 

 shed a meridian twilight over us, that aegravated the wintry 

 glooni ot the scene now completely powdered over with 

 tallinj particles. Ji was evident that the crisis was as vet 

 to coine — that the burninii fluid was struviwling for a vent, 

 and labouring to throw oft' the superincumbent strata and 

 obstructions which suppressed the igiiivomous torrent. 

 At nioht, it was manifest that it had tireatly disengaged it- 

 Self from its burthen, by the appearance of tire tiashing now 

 and then, flakmg above the mouth of the crater. 



On Thursday, ttie memorable 30ih of April, the reflection 

 of the risint£ sun on this niajestic body of curling vapour 

 was 3ul)lime beyond imagination — any comparison of the 

 Glaciers, of the Andes, or Cordilleras, with it, can but 

 feebly convey an idea of the fleecy w hiteness and brilliancy 

 of this awful c(vKnnn of intermingled and wreathed smoke 

 and clouds : it afterwards assumed a more sulphureous cast, 

 like what we call ihuiider-clouds, and in the course of the 

 day a ferruginous and sanguine appearance, with much 

 livelier action in the ascent, a more extensive ddatation, as if 

 almost freed from every obstruction : — after noon, the noise 

 was incessant, and resembled the approach of tlumder still 

 nearer and nearer, with a vibration that afllcted the feelings 

 and luarinii : as yet there was no convulsive motion, or sen- 

 sible earthquake Terror and consternation now seized all 

 beholders. The Chairaibs, seitkd at Moriie Fionde, at the 

 foot i)f the Souflrier, abandoned their houjes, with their 

 live stock, and every thing they possessed, and fled preci- 

 pitately towards town. The negroes became confused, 

 forsook their work, looked up to the mountain, and, as it 

 g'.iook, trembled, with the dread of what they cnuld neither 

 understand or describe — the buds fell to the ground, over- 

 powered with showers of faviila, unable to keep themselves 

 on the win'4 — the cattle were starving for want of ibod, as 

 not a blade of grass or a leaf was now to be found — ilie sea 

 was much discoloured, but in no wise uncommonly ngi- 

 E 3 laud ; 



