18'tf.J GREAT WAVE. 305 



dust which darkened the sky, at last he gained the street. As 

 shock succeeded shock, at the interval of a few minutes, no one 

 dared approach the shattered ruins ; and no one knew whether 

 \h dearest friends and relations were not perishing from the want 

 of help. Those who had saved any property were obliged to keep 

 a constant watch, for thieves prowled about, and at each little 

 trembling of the ground, with one hand they beat their breasts 

 and cried " misericordia !" and then with the other filched what 

 they could from the ruins. The thatched roofs fell over the fires, 

 and flames burst forth in all parts. Hundreds knew themselves 

 ruined, and few had the means of providing food for the day. 



Earthquakes alone are sufficient to destroy the prosperity of 

 any country. If beneath England the now inert subterranean 

 forces should exert those powers, which most assuredly in former 

 geological ages they have exerted, how completely would the 

 entire condition of the country be changed ! What would be- 

 come of the lofty houses, thickly packed cities, great manufac- 

 tories, the beautiful public and private edifices ? If the new 

 period of disturbance were first to commence by some great 

 earthquake in the dead of the night, how terrific would be the 

 carnage ! England would at once be bankrupt ; all papers, 

 records, and accounts would from that moment be lost. 

 Government being unable to collect the taxes, and failing to 

 maintain its authority, the hand of violence and rapine would 

 remain uncontrolled. In every large town famine would go 

 forth, pestilence and death following in its train. 



Shortly after the shock, a great wave was seen from the dis- 

 tance of three or four miles, approaching in the middle of the bay 

 with a smooth outline ; but along the shore it tore up cottages 

 and trees, as it swept onwards with irresistible force. At the 

 head of the bay it broke in a fearful line of white breakers, which 

 rushed up to a height of 23 vertical feet above the highest spring- 

 tides. Their force must have been prodigious ; for at the Fort a 

 cannon with its carriage, estimated at four tons in weight, was 

 moved 15 feet inwards. A schooner was left in the midst of the 

 ruins, 200 yards from the beach. The first wave was followed 

 by two others, which in their retreat carried away a vast wreck 

 of floating objects. In one part of the bay, a ship was pitched 

 nigh and dry on shore, was carried oft', again driven on ohore. 



X 



