326 CONCEPCION 



streets little hillocks of brickwork and rubbish. Mr. Rouse, 

 the English consul, told us that he was at breakfast when the 

 first movement warned him to run out. He had scarcely 

 reached the middle of the courtyard, when one side of his 

 house came thundering down. He retained presence of mind 

 to remember, that if he once got on the top of that part which 

 had already fallen, he would be safe. Not being able from 

 the motion of the ground to stand, he crawled up on his hands 

 and knees ; and no sooner had he ascended this little eminence, 

 than the other side of the house fell in, the great beams 

 sweeping close in front of his head. With his eyes blinded 

 and his mouth choked with the cloud of dust which darkened 

 the sky, at last he gained the street. As shock succeeded 

 shock, at the interval of a few minutes, no one dared approach 

 the shattered ruins ; and no one knew whether his dearest 

 friends and relations were not perishing from the want of help. 

 Those who had saved any property were obliged to keep a 

 constant watch, for thieves prowled about, and at each little 

 trembling of the ground, with one hand they beat their breasts 

 and cried " misericordia ! " and then with the other filched 

 what they could from the ruins. The thatched roofs fell over 

 the fires, and flames burst forth in all parts. Hundreds knew 

 themselves ruined, and few had the means of providing food 

 for the day. 



Earthquakes alone are sufficient to destroy the prosperity of 

 any country. If beneath England the now inert subterranean 

 forces should exert those powers which most assuredly in former 

 geological ages they have exerted, how completely would the 

 entire condition of the country be changed ! What would 

 become of the lofty houses, thickly packed cities, great 

 manufactories, the beautiful public and private edifices ? If the 

 new period of disturbance were first to commence by some 

 great earthquake in the dead of the night, how terrific would be 

 the carnage ! England would at once be bankrupt ; all papers, 

 records, and accounts would from that moment be lost. 

 Government being unable to collect the taxes, and failing to 

 maintain its authority, the hand of violence and rapine would 

 remain uncontrolled. In every large town famine would go 

 forth, pestilence and death following in its train. 



Shortly after the shock, a great wave was seen from the 



