224 Eartiiquakes in Sicily. 



lamity pass away, and the grand city of Palermo will be still 

 more beautiful. When we reflect upon the ioimense list of 

 earthquakes which Sicily has suffered, and the possibility of 

 its increasing every nnoment, we feel the inevitable necessity 

 of holding ourselves strongly prepared to meet the sudden 

 assaults of so powerful an enemy. Messina, which suffered 

 so much in 1783, althou-gh violently moved by this last shock, 

 experienced from it no bad effects ; for this noble city has 

 risen from her ancient ruins, robust and majestic. Catania, 

 in 1818, was convulsed in a terrible manner, but its inhabit- 

 ants were enabled to contemplate without a tear all the little 

 injury sustained by their beautiful fabrics.* 



Succeeding Shocks. 



After the shock of the 5th, the black clouds which covered 

 the heavens on the north and west, formed a dark band, 

 measuring from the zenith towards the horizon 60°, and ex- 

 tending from north to south. It was terminated at base by a 

 circular line, passing from north to south, through the west, 

 and elevated at the southern part about 30° above the hori- 

 zon. The sky itself was very clear, and its extreme bright- 

 ness was increased by the contiast with the dark band above, 

 and by the sun just on the point of setting. A little below 

 the band were two other lines, parallel and perfectly regu- 

 lar. This mysterious appearance inspired v.'ith fear the 



* After the fatal earthquake of 1693, in Catania, by which eig-hteen 

 thousand persons perished, the people began to build of one story, and 

 always after the plan of barracks. But, as the fear passed from their 

 minds, they raised their houses two stories, and sometimes even three, 

 and not with much solidity. Since the middle of the last century, the 

 excellent materials served them by ^tna, the good method and prudent 

 regulation of the stories, have promised long duration to this city. It 

 may possibly be injured, but cannot be easily ruined, although at the foot 

 of the most formidable volcano in the world. After the catastrophe of 

 the 5th of March in Palermo, the lieutenant, the pretor, senators, and 

 police exerted all their zeal. They obliged proprietors to prop up 

 their houses within twenty-four hours; or to demohsh them if they were 

 not susceptible of propping. The senate took upon themselves the 

 charge of repairing- the houses of poor proprietors, together with the ex- 

 penses. 



