220 Earthquakes in Sicili/. 



for the people, warned by a slight shock which was felt some 

 hours before, had all fled into the country. Directly in front 

 of Vulcano, one of the isles of Eolie, Patti, a city built on 

 the declivity of a nnountain, and at the distance of half a 

 mile from the eastern extremity of Cape Calava, had its ca- 

 thedral, bishop's palace, convents, and many private houses, 

 injured. With the copious showers of the fifth, fell some 

 roofs; various houses in the country were ruined. Pozzodi- 

 gotto, Meri, and Barcellona, were injured a little. At Bar- 

 cellona, a wide cleft was made in the belfry of the church, 

 and threatened its ruin. The shock at Milazzo, on the sea, 

 was violent, as also at St. Lucia, six miles from it, situated 

 on an eminence; but without any bad consequences* Some 

 damage was done to the hospital, several churches, and pri- 

 vate houses at Messina. In the interior of Sicily, the motion 

 was communicated as if it were far from the centre of force; 

 in some places towards the south, some buildings which 

 were old and out of repair, felt the eifects ; particularly at 

 Caltauturo ; and at Alimena, in the cathedral and convent 

 of the reformed. The shock gradually wasted itself as it 

 advanced; and at Catania so slight was the impression made 

 on the people, that they went to the theatre the same even- 

 ing. It was perceived by a few persons only in Syracuse, 

 and in some of the neighbouring towns. In the district of 

 Modica, towards Cape Passaro, scarcely one felt it. No bad 

 effects were produced by it in the southern parts of the isl- 

 and ; in the western it was felt, but without injury. It was 

 pretty strong at Alcamo, but slight at Trapani. 



Injuries at Palermo. — The ancient city of Palermo was 

 founded upon a rocky tongue of land, between two large and 

 deep bays. The extremity of this point constitutes at this 

 day the centre of the modern city. Matter, transported 

 thither by the water from the interior, and thrown up by the 

 sea, together with the labour of men, has gradually filled up 

 the lateral spaces, and extended the peninsula with this 

 transported and alluvial earth, and formed the present soil. 

 It is now composed in part of calcareous rock, and in part of* 

 mud or alluvial earth ; both are traversed by canals and large 

 conduits for the circulation of water for common use, and by 

 common sewers communicating with the neighbouring shore. 

 The adjacent parts present a surface composed of calcareous 

 tufa, and an earthy aggregate, tender and friable ; but deeper 

 down, it is more durable, and partly siliceous. The facility 



