108 Papers relating to the Earthquake 



ground loose stones from the ruined houses. The next day, 

 the 17th, the earth was frequently in motion, attended by 

 gusts of wind and a noise like that of wheeled carriages. For 

 some time before 10 A.M. these symptoms intermitted only 

 for a few minutes, until about a quarter to 10, when a severe 

 shock was experienced ; this lasted for about fifty seconds, 

 and brought down a number of shattered buildings. 



As no register has been kept, or could well have been pre- 

 served, of the number of shocks felt, it is impossible to fur- 

 nish particulars on this head. Until the beginning of August, 

 no day passed without one or more shocks ; and subsequently 

 they became less frequent, only occurring every third or fourth 

 day. During the whole of this time the shocks were generally 

 very slight ; many persons did not feel what was sensibly felt 

 by others. Subsequently to this period shocks became still 

 less frequent, occurring at uncertain periods of many days in- 

 terval, until the 23d of November, which seems to be the last 

 distinct one we have had. 



It would be hazardous to state a decided opinion of the 

 number of shocks felt, both in consequence of the cause before 

 assigned, and because motions of the earth appear to have 

 been felt in one spot and not in others ; but as it is necessary 

 to give some vague idea to enable a judgement to be formed 

 by the reader, it may be observed that probably until the 1st 

 of July there were not fewer than two or even three shocks 

 every day ; one daily throughout that month ; one every three 

 days in August and September ; and perhaps six in the course 

 of October; and three in November. This calculation, which 

 is made avowedly on no solid grounds, gives short of 100 

 shocks in all ; and it is probable that the number is at least a 

 third within the truth. 



I know not how to class the shocks, unless in the fanciful 

 manner of 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th, implying the degree of their 

 severity. Of the 1st, we had only the first and most violent; 

 of the 2d, which were such as could be felt by a person while 

 standing, but without affecting buildings in any material de- 

 gree, we had, I think, about four ; these occurred as follows : 

 17th June, 10 A.M. ; 29th June, 2 P.M. ; 4th July, 3 A.M. : 

 and another at midnight in the same month, but the day for- 

 gotten : the longest of these did not last more than 50 se- 

 conds. The third class, which is the most numerous, are 

 those shocks evident to persons sitting or reclining ; few of 

 these lasted longer than perhaps 30 seconds, and did no da- 

 mage. The fourth class is that in which are included slight 

 motions of the earth, felt by some and disputed by others. 



The motions of the different classes were by many con- 

 sidered 



