EFFECTS OP THE EARTHQUAKE. 49 



mevable small tremblings followed the great earth- 

 quake, and within the first twelve days no less 

 than three hundred were counted. 



After viewing Concepcion, I cannot understand 

 how the greater number of inhabitants escaped 

 unhurt. The houses in many paits fell outwards, 

 tlms forming in the middle of the streets little 

 hillocks of brickwork and rubbish. Mr. Rouse, 

 the English consul, told us that he was at break- 

 fast when the first movement warned him to run 

 out. He had scarcely reached the middle of the 

 courtyard, when one side of his house came thun- 

 dering down. He retained presence of mind to 

 remember, that if he once got on the top of that 

 part which had already fallen, he would be safe. 

 Not being able, fi:om the motion of the ground, to 

 stand, he crawled up on his hands and knees ; and 

 no sooner had he ascended this little eminence, 

 than the other side of the house fell in, the great 

 beams sweeping close in front of his head. With 

 his eyes blinded, and his mouth choked with the 

 cloud of 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 ap- 

 proach the shattered ruins ; and no one knew 

 whether his dearest friends and relations were not 

 perishing from the want of help. Those who had 

 saved any property wei'e obliged to keep a con- 

 stant 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 

 know themselves ruined, and few had the means 

 of providing food for the day. 



Earthquakes alone are sufficient to destroy the 

 TI. 4 



