396 On the Earthquake in Chile, 1851. 
sustained by the stakes of an outer corridor, prevented the whole 
from going over. In the parlors to the mansion of this hacienda, 
things were thrown in all directions: lamps, chairs, books, fell in 
every possible line, almost inducing belief that the increasing re- 
sistance offered to the onward movement of the explosive agent 
by the rapidly approaching mountains, had converted rectilineal 
into gyratory motion. These objects fell in the several directions 
at different periods. 
At the time of the shock, the proprietor was in the fields giving 
orders for the work of the day. Turning at the first rumble that 
reached his ear in the direction of the mansion, where his wife 
and children were, he put spurs to his horse, which had not yet 
become frightened. But an instant after, the poor brute suddenly 
stopped and spread out its feet, giving expression to the utmost 
terror by deep-breathed snorts and starting eyes, nor could any 
punishment make it move until the phenomenon had ceased. 
Apart from thoughts of his loved ones, this was a trying interval 
to my friend. Alone, and all nature convulsed! The earth 
heaved and trembled till foot-hold was not secure, its profoundly 
neither examivation nor inquiry lent their support. ‘The moun- 
tains had arrested the progress of the great earth-wave, and the 
re-action of its generating power was plainly exhibited on the 
allnvial strata of the deep terrestrial bay. 
Travellers from as far south as Talca stated that the shock had 
been quite moderate at that city, and none had given it a thought 
beyond the Cachapual, except for its unusual length. Nearly all 
of them, however, as did those north of the Angostura, believed 
that its origin had been to the southward. Whilst at Rancagua, 
a Violent rain-storm commenced on the morning of the 5th, pre- 
ceded by excessive thunder and lightning. ‘This was a widely 
extended storm, reaching from latitude 33° to latitude 40°. 
As nothing further was to be gained in a southerly direction, I 
returned to Santiago, and two days afterwards crossed the axis 
of the earth-wave in the direction of Valparaiso, though without 
