THE EARTH. 97 



were destroyed by the same accident. In the 

 year 1594, the Italian historians describe an 

 earthquake at Puteoli, which caused the sea to 

 retire two hundred yards from its former bed. 



But one of those most particularly described 

 in history, is that of the year 1693 ; the damages 

 of which were chiefly felt in Sicily, but its mo- 

 tion perceived in Germany, France, and Eng- 

 land. It extended to a circumference of two 

 thousand six hundred leagues ; chiefly affecting 

 the sea-coasts and great rivers ; more perceivable 

 also upon the mountains than in the valleys. Its 

 motions were so rapid, that those who lay at 

 their length, were tossed from side to side as 

 upon a rolling billow.* The walls were dashed 

 from their foundations ; and no less than fifty- 

 four cities, with an incredible number of villages, 

 were either destroyed or greatly damaged. The 

 city of Catanea, in particular, was utterly over- 

 thrown. A traveller, who was on his way thither, 

 at the distance of some miles, perceived a black 

 cloud, like night, hanging over the place. The 

 sea, all of a sudden, began to roar ; Mount JEtna, 

 to send forth great spires of flame ; and soon 

 after a shock ensued, with a noise as if all the 

 artillery in the world had been at once discharg- 

 ed. Our traveller being obliged to alight in- 

 stantly, felt himself raised a foot from the ground, 

 and turning his eyes to the city, he with amaze- 

 ment saw nothing but a thick cloud of dust in 

 the air. The birds flew about astonished ; the 



Phil. Trans. 

 VOL. I. G 



