176 Papers relating to the Earthquake in India in 1819. 



although his stairs were broad and built of very solid masonry, 

 such was the agitation they were thrown into by the earth- 

 quake, that he experienced much difficulty in descending. 



An officer's house, a very substantial stone building about 

 forty feet high, which stands by itself, appears to have been 

 affected by the shock more than the other houses. The sepoys 

 describe it as having rocked from side to side as a tree in a 

 high wind. On examination, so many rents were found in 

 the walls that it was deemed unadvisable to sleep under its 

 roof. 



I believe there are few houses throughout this large city 

 which are not more or less injured. Some have fallen so as 

 to block up the streets in which they were situated. 



The rajah and the principal inhabitants are now encamped 

 outside ; which they prefer to trusting themselves in their own 

 houses, the fall of which would prove very destructive, as they 

 are made of a thick terrace supported by stone or weighty 

 timber. 



The earth opened, and water issued from the cavity, in a 

 plain fourteen miles hence. 



The atmosphere to-day has been impregnated with a strong 

 smell of sulphur; and between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. there 

 were several other shocks, which brought down some old 

 houses : but these shocks were not to be compared with yes- 

 terday's awful phaenomenon. 



It was observed that all animals were much frightened : the 

 dogs lay down on their bellies and would not be moved. 



The earthquake in the interior appears to have been less 

 violent than near the sea-shore. 



I am this moment informed that fifty men have been killed 

 by the fall of walls at Mangarole, which is distant hence 80 

 miles in a S.E. direction. 



Copy of a Letter addressed to Captain Kennedy. 



Camp, Sirdas, June 17, 1819. 

 Sir, — Being a Member of the Literary Society, I deem it 

 a kind of duty that attaches to me, to record for the informa- 

 tion of the Society any fact or circumstance of considerable 

 interest which may fall under my observation connected with 

 the objects of the Society. 



In these sentiments, I now have to mention the occurrence 

 of the shock of an earthquake here yesterday evening. It oc- 

 curred about seven o'clock. It was such as to alarm every 

 one who felt it. The earth under us seemed to rise and fall 

 very considerably; so considerably, indeed, that I myself 

 could not stand steadily. Every one who felt it became in 



some 



