2 ( J2 CONCEPCIOtf. [CHAP, xiv. 



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. Bouse, 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 court- 

 yard, 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 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 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, 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 ruiued, and few had the means of pro- 

 viding 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 geo- 

 logical 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, tho 

 beautiful public and private edifices? If the ne\v period of dis- 

 turbance 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. 



