1835.] INCIDENTS OF THE EARTHQUx^KE. 303 



to the great wave, little more than one layer of bricks, tiles, 

 and timber, with here and there part of a wall left standing, 

 could be distinguished. From this circumstance Concepcion, 

 although not so completely desolated, was a more terrible, 

 and, if I may so call it, picturesque sight. The first shock 

 was very sudden. The mayor-domo at Quinquina told me, 

 that the first notice he received of it, was finding both the 

 horse he rode and himself, rolling together on the ground. 

 Rising up, he was again thrown down. He also told me 

 that some cows which were standing on the steep side of 

 the Island were rolled into the sea. The great wave caused 

 the destruction of many cattle ; on one low island, near the 

 head of the bay, seventy animals were washed off and 

 drowned. It is generally thought that this has been the 

 worst earthquake ever recorded in Chile ; but as the very 

 severe ones occur only after long intervals, this cannot 

 easily be known ; nor indeed would a much worse shock 

 have made any great difference, for the ruin was now 

 complete. Innumerable small tremblings followed the 

 great earthquake, 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 parts fell outwards ; thus forming in the middle 

 of the streets little hillocks of brickwork and rubbish. 

 Mr. Rouse, the English consul, told us that he was at 

 breakfast 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 thundering 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 from 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 liis 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 approach 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 were obliged to keep a constant watch, 

 lor thieves prowled about, and at each little trembling of 

 the ground, with one hand they beat their breasts and cried 



