EARTHQUAKES IN CHILE. 625 



others believed another earthquake certain, because the barometer announced bad weather. 

 Thus few had much d-sire to pans the night within the city. 



Nothing lias occurred; nor have we new misfortunes to deplore. There result only some 

 discomforts to those who have adopted a sort of Bedouin life; but the effects of terror will 

 soon have passed, and they will tire of sacrificing the conveniences of civilization for the appar- 

 ent necessity of livintr in tents, or "a la luna de Valencia." 



The shocks still continue at long intervals, and it is probable that they will be felt for many 

 consecutive days, as occurred in 1822 also. 



The captain of a ship which anchored in the bay yesterday supposed that his vessel had 

 touched on a rock until, on arrival here, he learned that a heavy earthquake had taken place* 



Man, as every other animal, loses his presence of mind at the sight of this slow and silent 

 renovation of nature; but, being endowed with reason, he may anticipate the peril, and explain 

 the causes and natural effects of earthquakes. Terror was manifested yesterday among the 

 animals of the city and bay. Some of the vessels in the port have many rats on board ; and, as 

 is well known, these animals have great instincts respecting the voyages, often taking to the 

 water before a ship leaves port. When the earthquake was felt, they were seen running from 

 their hiding-places, and the crews observed them in great fright about the decks. 



The custom-house building has actually suffered nothing in itsef or apartments. The balus- 

 trade and cornice only were thrown down by the impulse of the earthquake. Its tower has 

 been weakened somewhat, but remains upright, and, if strengthened a little, will be perfectly 

 secure. 



Among those who abandoned their lodgings last night on account of the repetition of the 

 earthquakes, the foreigners figured most extensively, having token refuge on board the ships 

 in the harbor. 



In Vina la Mar the earth opened and water gushed out. There were also some enormous 

 rocks dislodged from the hills. 



Earthquakes. At 2 A. M. ; 5A. ; 8A. 30m. ; 8^. 40m. ; Sh. 55m. ; 9A. 32m. ; 9A. 37m. ; and since 

 the first night five others have been felt. 



At Quillota the earthquake was not of the same alarming character, and, according to our 

 information, passed as one of the many shocks occurring in the republic so frequently. 



Information from trustworthy persons arrived yesterday advises us that the earthquake 

 caused great damage in Casa-blanca. It is said that the English hotel is the only house stand- 

 ing, the other edifices forming a vast ruin. All the people have abandoned their dwellings, 

 some being in dangerous condition, and the others completely destroyed. Letters from there 

 say that tents and temporary shelters of branches have been formed until their houses can 

 be made fit to use again. 



The occasion has occurred, we think, when an appeal should be made to a beneficent public 

 in favor of the families least provided for. The government, as well as individuals, is called 

 on to remedy so great a calamity, and to lend a friendly hand to the sufferers. 



A reliable person writing us from Santiago informs us that the earthquake began at 6A. 48m. 

 10s. A. M., and continued about a minute and a half. This calculation corroborates ours more or 

 less, as we believed that it lasted nearly seventy seconds in Valparaiso. The difference of time 

 between the two cities may serve as data for verifying the direction which it took, and the great 

 extent of territory in the republic traversed by it. The little settlement of Renca has been 

 ruined by the earthquake, a misfortune the more deplorable as the greater part of its inhabit- 

 ants are poor. The houses on the estate of Don Diego Barros have also been left leaning. May 

 we have no more misfortunes to relate. 



