Earthquake in Connecticut, §c. 337 
him, and those were the expressions of his displeasure.’ Hence 
it has been imagined that they originated after the arrival of the 
English in this country. 
“ About fifty years ago, an European by the name of Steele 
came into the place and boarded in the family of a Mr. Knowl- 
ton for a short period. He was a man of intelligence, and sup- 
posed to be in disguise. He told Mr. Knowlton in confidence, 
that he had discovered the place of a fossil which he called a 
carbuncle, and that_he should be able to procure it in a few days. 
Accordingly, he soon after brought home a white round substance 
resembling a stone in the light, but became remarkably luminous 
in the dark. It was his practice | to labor after his mineral in the 
night season. The night on which he procured it he secreted it 
in Mr. K.’s cellar, which was without windows, yet its. illumina- 
ting power was so great that the house appeared to be on fire, 
and was seen at a great distance. 'The next morning he enclosed 
it in sheet lead, and departed for Europe, and has never since 
been heard of. It is ramored that he was murdered on his way 
by the ship’s crew. He said that this substance was the cause 
of the noises—that a change of temperature collects the moist- 
ness of the atmosphere, which causes an explosion. 
‘“‘ He further observed, that there would be no more noises for 
twelve or fifteen years, and then they would be heard again in 
consequence of the explosion of some small pieces of this sub- 
stance which he had left, which would by that time become 
sufficiently large to produce the effect. It is reported that his 
prediction was strikingly fulfilled. "These circumstances are cur- 
rently reported, and as they are recollected and often spoken of 
by many respectable old people, they are generally believed. 
‘ Perhaps these stories may only serve as instances of public 
credulity, but as they are in the mouth of every one who says 
any thing about this subject, I thought it might not be improper 
briefly to communicate them 
“These shocks are generally perceived in the neighboring 
towns, and sometimes at a great distance. They begin witha 
trembling of the earth, and a rumbling noise nearly resembling 
the discharge of very heavy cannon at a distance. Sometimes 
“8 Sede a almost enecenry to say, that these foolish stories are deserving of no 
d they are here preserved only as a part of the legends of the 
ae hes 
