602 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1755. 



from the tops of some churches, and splitting the walls of some old houses. 

 The shock was perceived in the river, among the shipping, by a sudden flux 

 and reflux of the tide, but no damage was done. During the time of the 

 earthquake, and indeed preceding it, was heard a hollow dreadful noise. 

 Abstract of a Letter from Madrid to the Spanish Consul in London, p. 423. 



Nov. I, soon after 10 o'clock, there was very sensibly felt a great earthquake: 

 according to the common opinion, it lasted 5 or 6 minutes. Every one at first 

 thought that they were seized with a swimming in their heads ; and afterwards 

 that their houses were falling. The same happened in the churches, so that the 

 people trod each other under foot in getting out ; and those who observed it in 

 the towers were very much frightened, thinking that they were tumbling to the 

 ground. It was not felt by those who were in their coaches, and very little by 

 those who walked on foot. 



Of the Earthquake at Cadiz, Nov. 1, 1755, in a Letter from Mr. Benjamin 

 Betvich, Merchant there, p. 424. 



Nov. 1, just before 10, the whole town was shaken with a violent earthquake, 

 which lasted above 3-i- minutes. The water in the cisterns, which are under- 

 ground, washed backward and forward, so as to make a great froth upon it. 

 Every body ran out of the houses and churches, in a terrible consternation, but 

 no damage was done, as all the buildings here are excessively strong. An hour 

 after, looking out to sea, we saw a wave coming at 8 miles distance, which was 

 at least 6o feet higher than common. Every body began to tremble ; the cen- 

 tinels left their posts, and well they did : it came against the west part of the 

 town, which is very rocky ; the rocks abated a great deal of its force. At last it 

 came upon the walls, and beat in the breast-work, and carried pieces of 8 or 1 

 tons weight, 40 and 50 yards from the wall, and carried away the sand and walls, 

 but left the houses standing, so that only 2 or 3 persons were drowned. Every 

 one now thought the town would be swallowed up ; for though this was run off^, 

 yet with glasses we saw more coming. When the wave was gone, some parts, 

 that are deep at low water, were quite dry, for the water retired with the same 

 violence that it came with. These waves came in this manner 4 or 5 times, but 

 with less force each time ; and about one the sea became more calm, but was 

 still in a boiling motion. Every thing was washed off" the mole. The bay was 

 full of barrels, and boats, and timber ; but no damage was done to the shipping. 

 The walls have suffered very much. Some of the towns about us have suffered 

 a great deal more than we, by the falling of houses and towers. 



Of the Earthquake at Cadiz. By Don Antonio d'Ulloa, F.R.S. p. 427. 



Nov. 1 , we had here an earthquake, the violence of which was not inferior to 

 that which swallowed up Lima and Callao, in Peru, towards the end of October 

 1746. It happened in very fine weather, at 3 minutes after Q in the morning. 



