SUBMARINE VOLCANO AND NEW ISLAND. Q4<) 



feathery smoke in the most fanciful manner imaginable, in* 

 termixed with the finest particles of falling ashes, which at 

 one time assumed the appearance of innumerable plumes of 

 black and white ostrich feathers surmounting each other; at 

 another, that of the light wavy branches of a weeping 

 willow. 



During these bursts, the most vivid flashes of lightning 

 continually issued from the densest part of the volcano ; and 

 the cloud of smoke now ascending to an altitude much above 

 the highest point to which the ashes were projected, rolled 

 off in large masses of fleecy clouds, gradually expanding 



themselves before the wind in a direction nearly horizontal, Waterspouts 



J drawn up by 



and drawing up to them a quantity of waterspouts, which the clouds- 

 formed a most beautiful and striking addition to the general 

 appearance of the scene. 



That part of the sea, where the volcano was situate, was Rising of th* 

 upwards of thirty fathoms deep, and at the time of our view- £I atera ° ve 

 ing it the volcano was only four days old. Soon after our 

 arrival on the cliff, a peasant observed he could discern a peak 

 above the water: we looked, but could not see it ; however, 

 in less than half an hour it was plainly visible, and before 

 we quitted the place, which was about three hours from the 

 time of our arrival, a complete crater was formed above the 

 water, not less than twenty feet high on the side where the 

 greatest quantity of ashes fell; the diameter of the crater 

 being apparently about four or five hundred feet. 



The great eruptions were generally attended with a noise Eruptions at- 

 like the continued firing of cannon and rausquetry inter- tended with 

 mixed, as also with slight shocks of earthquakes, several of 

 which having been felt by my companions, but none by my- 

 self, 1 had become half sceptical, and thought their opinion 

 arose merely from the force of imagination; but while we 

 were sitting within fiye or six yards of the edge of the cliff, 

 partaking of a slight repast which had been brought with us, 

 and were all busily engaged, one of the most magnificent 

 bursts took place which we had yet witnessed, accompanied 

 by a very severe shock pf ah earthquake. The instantaneous 

 and involuntary movement of each was to spring upon his 

 feet, and I said " this admits of no doubt." The words Fall of part of 

 Jiad scarce passed my lips, before we observed a large portion the cliff * 



of 



