136 Account of a Remarkable Storm. 
from above, poured down the precipice with such impetuos- 
ity, as to uproot all the trees in its course, down to the bot- 
tom, a distance of several hundred feet. The descent is 
rapid from the foot of the precipice to the bottom of the 
mountain. Throughout this distance a large ravine was 
formed. All the trees, and earth, and stones beneath, were 
washed away down to the solid rock, which lay below ; and 
the whole mass except the trees was precipitated beyond 
the road, which winds near the base, upon a tract of arable 
and meadow land which it covered as I was informed by 
Mr. S. a gentleman who had examined the ground with at- 
tention, to the extent of two acres, and to the depth of from 
six to ten feet. No water, if I am not misinformed, has 
been known to run in this place, heretofore. The descent 
of the water down the precipice occasioned a loud roaring 
sound, like that of distant rolling thunder, and excited no 
small astonishment at the distance of a mile. 
On the eastern declivity of the same mountain, about two 
miles north of Madison church, a portion of ground about 
forty-five feet in length, and of about the same breadth, was 
entirely removed to the average depth of four feet. This 
ground, and all that adjoining to it, was previously covered 
with forest trees. The trees on this plat were all borne 
away. Itseems remarkable that the excavation commen- 
ced suddenly, being of the full width, and depth, at the top. 
Neither was there any appearance of water having run from 
the grounds above, the decayed leaves and brush wood be- 
ing in place. I have not examined this spot, but received 
the above particulars from a respectable farmer, residing in 
the neighbourhood. 
In a south-western course from Madison, distant from one 
to two miles, thereis a high and sharpridge, on which are sev- 
eral similar ravages. This ridge or mountain, which is upwards 
of four hundred feet in perpendicular height, above the plain 
below, was throughout, so far as can be seen on the eastern 
side, covered thickly with forest trees. ‘The eastern accliv- 
ity is as steep generally, as the sharp roof of a dwelling 
house. The largest excavation is about two hundred and 
thirty feet wide at the bottom. Owing to the steepness of 
the acclivity, I could not measure its length, or the width at 
the top. J estimated the height to exceed three hundred 
feet. Tracing it from the bottom up the acclivity, about 
