TOL. XLTI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 115 



the clouds, which had covered the lieavens for several days, were pretty much 

 dispersed. There was a report that, at near 4 o'clock that morning, (Sunday,) 

 a ball of fire was seen. On Monday night the sky in the east was as red as 

 blood ; and on Tuesday night was the finest aurora borealis he ever saw. He 

 s;iys that a Mr. Sciuven was confident that he heard that rushing noise, so gene- 

 rally mentioned by all who observed any thing extraordinary, not only before, 

 but after the shock ; and that he could trace the direction, from s. w. to 

 N. E. He adds, that a niece of Sir Hans Sloane observed, that just before the 

 shock, her birds drooped remarkably, and hid their heads under their wings : a 

 circumstance often observed in Italy, and other places where these phenomena 

 are frequent. 



The last of these papers is by Dr. Stukely, p. 731, on what he calls the 

 philosophy of earthquakes : he recounts the most remarkable circumstances men- 

 tioned in the several accounts, and thence deduces a theory to explain the whole. 

 We have had, says he, many opportunities of reflecting on that most awful, and 

 hitherto unusual appearance. The year 1 7 50, may rather be called the year of 

 earthquakes, than of jubilee. For, since they began with us at London, they 

 have appeared in many parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and have like- 

 wise revisited many counties in our island : at length on 30th of September, 

 have taken their leave (as we hope) with much the most extensive shock we have 

 seen in our days. 



We have been acquainted by those that remember it, that in the earthquake 

 of November 1703, which happened in Lincolnshire, the weather was calm, 

 close, gloomy, warm, and dry, in a degree highly unusual at that season : and 

 thus it has been with us all the year : and from the numerous accounts we have 

 received at the Royal Society, in the beginning and end of the year, where any 

 mention is made of the weather, they agree in the like particular : which is con- 

 sentaneous to what is remarked as the constant forerunner of earthquakes, and 

 what prepares the earth's surface to receive the electrical stroke. 



We had a paper read at the Royal Society, concerning the first earthquake 

 felt by us at London on 8th of February. A shepherd belonging to Mr. Secre- 

 tary Fox at Kensington, the sky being perfectly serene and clear, was much 

 surprized with a very extraordinary noise in the air, rolling over his head, as of 

 cannon close by. This noise passed rushing by him ; and instantly he saw the 

 ground, a dry and solid spot, wave under him, like the face of the river. The 

 tall trees of the avenue, where he was, nodded their tops very sensibly, and 

 quavered. The fiock of sheep immediately took fright, and ran away all to- 

 gether, as if the dogs had pursued them. A great rookery in the place were 

 equally alarmed ; and, after a universal clangor, flew away, as if chased by 

 hawks. il;,,.- ■;■■ ...^^ u.l,i 



a2 



