Mineralogy and Geology. 283 
characteristic trait in common with Pascal; he delighted to talk of the 
great mysteries of the world, an upon which the thinkers and phi- 
losophers of all nations and ages have speculated in vain. Our last 
conversation on the blind ruling of the powers of Nature seemed sin- 
gularly adapted to the scene which surrounded us now. The monk 
pressed my hand in silence. He, with a band of strong fellows, was 
engaged in a search for persons butiegl in the ruins, while the bishop 
and all the siding of the higher ranks had fled to Cojutepeque. At 
but what the real number of deaths was I have not yet been able to 
learn. That several thousands were not kille d, we must attribute to the 
caution inspired by the severe piste whet above mentioned ; nor 
in all Stott would the writer of these lines, wuss that warning, 
ave ever held the pen again, as the last principal shock brought down 
the heavy esl of his dwellin 
| Easter-Mo onday the rising sun illuminated a most aout scene. 
dom 
through the town without seler or = oO vet. “The greater part 
behind. Among the Sonia who were mostly in extreme ora fees I 
noticed the wife of the President, ion her husband to flee also 
from this place of horror. ‘The Pre ident, however, remained faithful 
to his duty, and continued to act ie energy. Most of the State pris- 
Shers perished, owing to their inability to leave their rooms; and in 
one case where two were chained together, one was killed, and the 
A 
sity-place, sentenced every thief caer in the act of stealing and 
proved guilty by two witnesses, to be s ; 
The ruins of San Salvador no longer affording me shelter, I returned 
hext morning to the hacienda of an acquaintance on foot, as all the 
mules had either been stolen or were fully employed by the merchants 
in removing goods, and therefore not to be procured for any amount of 
pay. During my walk thither there were four shocks, one of which 
Was one of the severest of all, lasting about seven seconds, and bein 
accompanied, as usual, by a loud detonating sound, just like the noise 
Companying the vollies at Vesav vius, to one standing near: the crater 
ata a time when vo umes of smoke and stones are hurled into the air. 
tithes action is very near, and that the Pie ssi and glowing masses 
of the depths are seeking some new outlet 
Every fugitive of whom we asked shes reason of this hurried. flight, 
Boing off as they did with no thought of even the most coon rti- 
cles of co mfort, answered alike, that after ~~ destruction of 
the bishop had said, that the entire region around San eavider would, 
* before another moon had passed, sink into the depths of - earth.” 
This prophecy has not, however, been fulfilled. The new moon is 
shining upon the ruins of the town, and upon the Gieielidts scattered 
Continue, and upward of a hundred shocks are felt each day. In all 
Probability the powers below are striving to burst the crust of the earth, 
