MOUNTAIN SLIPS. 231 



some thrown down, and some fallen into the heads of neigh- 

 bouring trees ; and that a gate was thrust forward, with its 

 hedge, full six feet, so as to require a new track to be made to 

 it. From the foot of the cliff, the general course of the ground, 

 which is pasture, inclines in a moderate descent for half a mile, 

 and is interspersed with some hillocks, which were rifted in 

 every direction, as well towards the great woody hanger as 

 from it. In the first pasture the deep clefts began, and, running 

 across the lane and under the buildings, made such vast shelves 

 that the road was impassable for some time ; and so over to 

 an arable field on the other side, which was strangely torn and 

 disordered. The second pasture field, being more soft and 

 springy, was protruded forward without many fissures in the 

 turf, which was raised in long ridges resembling graves, lying 

 at right angles to the motion. At the bottom of this enclosure, 

 the soil and turf rose many feet against the bodies of some 

 oaks that obstructed their farther course, and terminated this 

 awful commotion.* 



* There are numerous instances on record of mountain slips of this 

 kind, in various places of the world ; indeed, they are almost of daily 

 occurrence, to a greater or lesser extent. That which is recorded by our 

 author, is trifling when compared to some others. We may particularize 

 the fall of Mount Rusfi, in Switzerland, which took place in 1806. 

 " Here," says Saussure, writing on the spot, " but three weeks ago, was 

 one of the most delightfully fertile valleys of all Switzerland, green and 

 luxuriant, adorned with little villages, full of secure and happy farmers. 

 Now, three of these villages are for ever erased from the face of the earth, 

 and an extended desolation, burying alive several hundred peasants, over- 

 spreads the valley of Lowertz." 



Early in the evening of the second of September, an immense projection 

 of the mountain of Rusfi gave way, and was precipitated into the valley. 

 In four minutes, it completely overwhelmed three villages, and part of 

 two others. The torrent of earth and stones was more rapid than that 

 of lava, and its effects as irresistible and terrible. The mountain, in its 

 tremendous descent, carried trees, rocks, houses, and every thing before 

 it ; the mass spread in every direction, so as to bury completely a space of 

 charming country, more than three miles square. The force of the earth 

 was so great, that it not only overspread the hollow of the valley, but even 

 ascended to a considerable height on the side of the opposite mountain. 



Part of the falling mass rolled into the lake of Lowertz, filling a 

 fifth part of it up; and raised the water so much, that two islands within 

 it, and the village of Sever, were, for a time, completely overwhelmed by 

 the swell. By this frightful catastrophe, four hundred and thirty-four 

 individuals lost their lives ; and there were also lost one hundred and 

 seventy cows and horses, and one hundred and three goats and sheepj 

 eighty-seven meadows destroyed, sixty meadows damaged ; ninety-three 

 houses entirely destroyed, eight houses damaged, and uninhabitable; 

 one hundred and sixty-six cow-houses, barns, &c. destroyed, and nineteen 

 damaged. ED. 



