VOL. LXVIir.j PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS 331 



bed, and ran to a window which commanded a view of one side of the suspected 

 building, and to his great surprize found it standing. He then went to a window 

 at the front of the house,_where he also found every thing safe ; and on being 

 informed by several people, who had fled affrighted into the streets, that their 

 houses and furniture had been violently shaken, he concluded the disturbance 

 must have been occasioned by an earthquake. 



His wife informed him that at the instant of the 2d explosion she had re- 

 ceived a very smart stroke on the top of her head, and, imagining that something 

 had fallen off" a shelf, looked down on the floor and perceived it heaving under 

 her, but could see nothing that could have given the blow. Lifting up her eyes 

 she saw her china and every thing in the closet dancing on the shelves ; and, 

 during the 3d shock, the vibration of the walls was so great that she expected 

 they would have fallen upon her- A pain, attended with a degree of stupor, 

 remained in the part of her head which had been afi^ected for several hours after. 

 Several other persons likewise received strokes similar to electrical strokes in dif- 

 ferent parts of their bodies. 



In the churches, it being in the time of divine service, the greatest confusion 

 and terror were occasioned. The congregations, suspecting that either the gal- 

 leries or the roofs were falling in, endeavoured to escape with the utmost precipi- 

 tation. Several peojjle were thrown down and trampled on, and some few had 

 their limbs broken. Nor is it to be wondered at that they were so terrified, as 

 the pillars and walls evidently tottered, and the motion was so great as to toll the 

 bells in the Collegiate and St. Mary's churches. All the neighbouring towns 

 were affected in a similar manner ; but very considerable differences were ob- 

 served in different parts of the same towns. The water in many places was 

 agitated. The passengers in the duke of Bridgewater's boat, who were on the 

 canal, did not perceive any change ; but the steersman recollects, that the vessel 

 was suddenly stopped at that time, which he could not then account for. The 

 noise was particularly loud in those houses which were furnished with con- 

 ductors ; and it seems it was loudest in those parts of the houses where the con- 

 ductors were fixed. 



Many people complained, for several days after, of nervous pains and hysteric 

 affections, and of sensations similar to those of persons who have been strongly 

 electrified. Perhaps the fright might have contributed to have produced some 

 of these effects. But Mr. H.'s head-ache, which seldom leaves him before even- 

 ing, was entirely and immediately removed. Different people in the same rooms 

 were affected in various degrees, and felt the shock more or less violently. 

 Neither the vibration nor noise were perceived by most persons who were travel- 

 ling on the roads or walking in the streets. Yet others, on looking at the 

 houses, perceived a great undulatory motion in them. Those who stood on 



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