440 "EARTHQUAKES. [LeSSOH XX XT. 



And though we ofien put out to sea, yet we were 

 as often driven tack. At length, wearied with the 

 delay, we resolved to prosecute our voyage ; and, 

 although the sea seemed more than usually agi- 

 tated, we ventured forward. The gulph of 

 Charybdis, which we approached, seemed wh.rled 

 round in such a manner, as to form a vast hollow, 

 verging to a point in the centre. Proceeding on- 

 ward, and turning my eyes to ./Etna-, I saw it 

 cast forth Jarge volumes of smoke, of mountainous 

 sizes, which entirely covered the island, and blot* 

 ted out the very shores from iny view. This, to- 

 gether with the dreadful noise and the sulphurous 

 stench which was strongly perceived, filled me with 

 apprehensions that some more dreadful calamity 

 was impending. The sea itself seemed to wear a 

 very unusual appearances they who have seen a 

 lake in a violent s'hower of rain, covered all over 

 with bubbles, will conceive some idea of its agita* 

 tions. My surprise was increased by the calm- 

 ness and serenity of the weather; not a breeze, 

 not a cloud, which might be supposed to put all 

 Nature thus into -motion. I therefore warned my 

 companions, that an earthquake was approaching; 

 arnd after some time, making for the shore with 

 all possible diligence, we landed at Tropaea, happy 

 and thankful for having escaped the threatening 

 dangers of the sea. 



" But our triumphs at land were of short dura- 

 tion ; for we had scarcely arrived at the Jesuits' 

 College, in that city, when our ears were stunned 

 with a horrid sound, resembling that of au infinite 



number 



