222 PHYSICAL SCIENCE BK. vi 



damage being done. In addition, they say, a flock 

 of six hundred sheep was destroyed, and statues 

 were split open ; some people were driven out of 

 their minds, and wandered about in helpless idiotcy. 

 The plan of my present work demands a discussion 

 of the causes of this, and the disaster itself fits in with 

 our present inquiries (i.e. our discussion is opportune 

 in view of the recent disaster). We must seek solace 

 for the anxious and dispel overmastering fear. For 

 what can any one believe quite safe if the world 

 itself is shaken, and its most solid parts totter to 



4 their fall ? Where, indeed, can our fears have limit 

 if the one thing immovably fixed, which upholds all 

 other things in dependence on it, begins to rock, 

 and the earth lose its chief characteristic, stability ? 

 What refuge can our weak bodies find ? whither 

 shall anxious ones flee when fear springs from the 

 ground and is drawn up from earth s foundations ? 

 If roofs at any time begin to crack and premonitions 

 of fall are given, there is general panic : all hurry 

 pell-mell out of doors, they abandon their household 

 treasures, and trust for safety to the public street. 



5 But if the earth itself stir up destruction, what 

 refuge or help can we look for ? If this solid globe, 

 which upholds and defends us, upon which our 

 cities are built, which has been called by some the 

 world s foundation, stagger and remove, whither 

 are we to turn ? What comfort, not to say help, 

 can you gain when fear has destroyed all way of 

 escape ? Where, I say, is there any protection you 

 can trust? what is there that will stand as sure 

 defence either of oneself or of others ? An enemy 

 I can drive off from my city wall. The mere 

 difficulties of approach to turrets set on the dizzy 

 heights will stop the march even of great armies. 



