338 Earthquake in Connecticut^ ^c. 



three or four follow each other in quick succession, and in this 

 case the first is generally the most powerful. 



" While I was pursuing my inquiries concerning this subject, 

 I was so fortunate as to find a register, in which was recorded 

 a collection of observations on the state and changes of the at- 

 mosphere, the tides, and in short the most remarkable occurrences 

 of the last thirty years, which were noted at the time, with some 

 of the attendant circumstances. From this I copied in short 

 notes an account of the Moodus noises since that period, which I 

 here subjoin in detail. 



" The first which was recorded occurred on the 16th of May, 

 1791. It began at 8 o'clock, P. M. with two very heavy shocks 

 in quick succession. The first was the most powerful ; the earth 

 appeared to undergo very violent convulsions. The stone walls 

 were shaken down, chimnies were untopped, doors which were 

 latched were thrown open, and a fissure in the ground of several 

 rods in extent was afterwards discovered. Thirty lighter ones 

 succeeded in a short time, and upwards of one hundred were 

 counted in the course of the night. 



" This shock was felt at a great distance. It was so severe at 

 Killingworth, (about twenty miles distant,) that a Capt. Benedict, 

 who was walking the deck of his vessel, then lying in the har- 

 bor of that place, observed the fish to leap out of water in every 

 direction as far as his eye could reach. 



" The atmosphere was perfectly clear and pleasant, and the 

 moon, which was near its full, shone remarkably bright. On the 

 night of the 17th, six more were observed. The atmosphere was 

 still clear and warm. 



" The next occurred August 28th, 1792, at 10 o'clock, P. M. 

 Rain in the forenoon, wind at the eastward. In the afternoon 

 the wind was southwest. Warm and somewhat squally. 



^' October 24lh, 1792, at 1 o'clock in the morning, occurred 

 three shocks. Yery pleasant weather — wind southwest. 



"Another was observed on the 11th of January, 1793, at 8 

 o'clock, A. M. The weather was very pleasant and warm. It 

 thawed. 



" There was another on the 6th of July, at 6 o'clock in the 

 morning. Very warm and damp. Rain with thunder in the af- 

 ternoon. 



