EARTH Q UAKES. 191 



CHILE. 



desolation. It is a bitter and humiliating thing to see works 

 which have cost man so much time and labor overthrown in 

 one minute; yet compassion for the inhabitants was almost 

 instantly banished by the surprise in seeing a state of things 

 produced in a moment of time which one was accustomed 

 to attribute to a succession of ages. In my opinion, we have 

 scarcely beheld, since leaving England, any sight so deeply 

 interesting. 



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 assured- 

 ly in former geological ages they have exerted, how complete- 

 ly 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 com- 

 mence by some great earthquake in the dead of the night, 

 how terrific would be the carnage ! England would at once 

 become 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 ! 



On the 14th of May we reached Coquimbo, and in the 

 evening Captain Fitz Roy and myself were dining with Mr. 

 Edwards, an English resident, when a short earthquake hap- 

 pened. I heard the forthcoming rumble; but, from the 

 screams of the ladies, the running of the servants, and the 



