Profefor WitiraMs on Earthguakes, 287 
attempt to find fome preceding. figns, or forerunners, of thefe- 
events. And in this refpect, fear and fuperftition have been 
abundantly fruitful. | Philofophy has nothing to do with the 
many idle reports of this kind, that have prevailed among the 
vulgar. But among the many things that have been fuppofed 
to exiit, there is one that deferves our notice,-as_ having, pro- 
bably, a real foundation in nature. ^ Ancient and modern wri- 
ters have fuppofed, that it might in fome cafes be a prelude to` 
an earthquake, when the water, in-deep pits, wells, caverns,- 
fprings, &e. is thrown into uncommon motions, diíturbed, 
altered and changed, as to its courfe, kind, or quality. It is 
rational to fuppofe,. that fuch events may, in fome cafes, pro- 
ceed from thoíe caufes, which, in a little time, have:burft out, 
and rent the: adjacent country. Some curious obfervations of 
this kind, were mentioned by Meflieurs Dudley and Allin, 2s 
happening a few days before the earthquake of 1727 : and 
fomething of the fame kind was obferved previous to the earth- 
quake of 1755. As thefe accounts have been mentioned,* it 
-is unneceffary to repeat-them here. - I am far from fuppofing, 
that any certain prediction of earthquakes can bé generally made 
from fuch obfervations ; as fuch events may, and no doubt do: 
happens without. being followed. by any íhocks ; and earth- 
quakes often take place without any fuch events. But at the. 
fame time, it can hardly be doubted but that the alterations ob- 
ferved in the water of thefe wells, was owing to the opera- 
.tion.of the: fame caufes, that in a few days burft forth with 
'-fueh violence as’ to fhake all New-England. With regard to - 
. the iif effects that have fucceeded earthquakes in fome countries, 
it: is well: known there have been many and fearful-accounts. 
in. 
* Vide p. 265 and 277- 
