Proceedings of tee P olytechnic Associatiox. 789 



the coast of Massachusetts." In like manner, the nndulations of the 

 same shock which last month convulsed the coast of Peru, manifested 

 themselves in extraordinary tidal phenomena along the shores of 

 California, 4,000 miles distant, and in the waters that wash the 

 far-away Sandwich islands. These are facts of the profoundest 

 scientific interest, but it would be hazardous at present to attempt 

 deductions from data yet imperfect. 



Perhaps there might be a field for inquiry opened up in reference 

 to possible methods of mitigating the horribly destructive effects of 

 earthquake shocks, especially in great cities which, when overtaken 

 by energetic convulsions, are apt to be whelmed in ruin. It is among 

 the functions of science (which seeks out the secrets of nature and 

 causes them to minister to man) to turn aside, or at least to ameli- 

 orate those ills which are incidental to the working of the machinery 

 of our habitable globe. Babinet notices that in general, Gothic con- 

 structions stand earthquakes better., than do Greek edifices. It has 

 also been observed in South Americd^that fragile wooden houses with 

 straw roofs resist by their very weakness shocks which topple down 

 massive stone structures. As an illustration of the quick wittedness 

 of we IS^orth Americans, it may be mentioned that, in the violent 

 earthquake shock which happened at New Madrid, in 1812, the peo- 

 ple, though wholly inexperienced in such perturbations, remarked 

 that the chasms in the earth were in a direction from southwest to 

 northeast, and they accordingly feUed the tallest trees, and laying 

 them at right angles to the chasms, stationed themselves upon them. 

 " By this invention," says a geologist, " when chasms opened more 

 than once under these trees, several persons were prevented fi'om 

 being swallowed up." One can hardly doubt that if Providence had 

 aifiicted with earthquakes the land of the Yankees, they would have 

 found out a way to curb their disastrous efiects. It is possible that 

 iron architecture, afibrding as it does means for securing the most 

 intimate cohesion between the roof and sides of a building, and 

 enabling us to raise structures that will topple a great deal without 

 divulsion, may yet be the solution of the problem ; but this is merely 

 a suggestion for the consideration of experts. 



There is a reflection which is likely to suggest itself to one who 

 dwells on these strange perturbations of nature, and that is as to 

 the moral effect on the inhabitants of countries a prey to earthquakes 

 and volcanos. This subject belongs to an obscure department of 

 investigation which we might call the metaphysical effect of physical 



