4* 



STORMS IN CAROLINA. 



' Before I fay any thing of that tremendous whirlwind which I mentioned to 



* you in converfation, the particulars of which you defire, I fhall obferve that 

 ' Carolina, in common with other warm climates, is fubjedl to occafional tem- 



* pefts of various forts ; fuch as fevere thunder ftorms, hurricanes, whirlwinds, 

 ' &c. of different ftrength and violence. Thunder ftorms and gufts happen at 

 ' all times of the year, particularly in the fummer time ; but there are feme, of 

 ' the moft dreadful force and appearance, that happen chiefly in the fpring and 

 « autumnal months. They generally rife between the weft and north, and 

 « o-radually advance, with accumulating thicknefs, always in a contrary direc- 



* tion to the wind, which ftrengthens as the guft approaches, and rifes in the 

 ' atmofphere with deep and fullen darknefs, pregnant with frequent burfts of 

 ' fharp lightning, darting its tremendous forks in all directions. Every kind of 

 ' animal feeks {helter and rereat. The wind increafing, and the clouds rolling 

 ' on from contrary quarters, the oppofing elements by their furious approach and 

 ' violent contention produce a general uproar and darknefs ; and the atmofphere 

 « is hurried into eddies and whirlwinds, that fill the air with duft, leaves, and 

 « branches of trees, and every other light body that lies in their way ; fo that an 

 ' almoft total darknefs takes place, before the important cloud, rolling on, at 

 ' length burfts over you, and pours down fpouts and torrents of rain, mingled 

 ' with almoft unintermitting peals of thunder, and the moft alarming flafiies of 

 ' lightning, pointed and forked, which frequently ftrikes houfes, and Ihivers in 



* pieces the loftieft and ftouteft trees. During the ftorm, heaven and earth 

 ' feem to be in contention ; and yet no fooner is its force fpent, than all is fun-- 

 ' fliine, calmnefs, and tranquillity.— Thefe gufts generally happen in the after- 

 » noon and tov/ards evening, though I have feen them at all times of the 24 

 ' hours.— But, entirely independent of fuch ftorms, whirlwinds of different forts 



* arife in various parts of the country ; and taking fometimes a reftilinear, and 



* fometimes an irregular and varied direftion, proceed through the country, mark- 



* ing their progrefs (if of great ftrength and violence) by an avenue in the woods, 



* of a greater or lefs extent according to their diameter, where every tree, plant» 



* building, &c. are torn up, broken, and laid flat ; till at length the whirling 



* column either fuddenly lifts itfelf up, and vanifhes in the air; or gradually di- 

 ' minifhing in force, bulk, and dianieter, totally difappears. Small whirlwinds 

 ' of this kind are frequent in the hotteft weather : thofe of large lize and great 



* force fortunately happen feldomer ; but their tracks are now and then feen in the.' 



* woods, and may be foUow-ed for miles. 



'Of. 



