304 A GIGANTIC WAVE. [chap. xrv. 



" miseiicordia ! " and then with the other hlched what the}- 

 could from the runis. The thatched roofs fell over the fires, 

 and flames burst forth in all parts. Hundreds knew them- 

 selves 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 subter- 

 ranean 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 become of the lofty houses, thickly 

 packed cities, great manufactories, 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 un- 

 able 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 

 distance 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 irre- 

 sistible force. At the head of the bay it broke in a fearful 

 line of white breakers, which rushed up to a height of 

 twenty-three 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 fifteen 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 high and dry on shore, was 

 carried off, again driven on shore, and again carried ofi^ 

 In another part, two large vessels anchored near together 

 were whirled about, and their cables were thrice wound 

 round each other : though anchored at a depth of thirty- 

 six feet, they were for some minutes aground. The great 

 wave must have travelled slowly, for the inhabitants of 

 Talcahuano had time to run up the hills behind the town ; 

 and some sailors pulled out seaward, trusting successfully 

 10 their boat riding securely over the swell, if they could 



