The Earthquake. 203 
with slides, which I was called on to exhibit and explain. 
This was a very great success indeed. Another diversion we 
had was an earthquake. This was the greatest success of all— 
though, to tell the truth, we did not wish any more of it after 
we had experienced the first dose. It took place about three 
weeks after the wreck, at nine o’clock in the evening. I was 
in my room alone, with the lamp standing on the table. First 
there came a, quick tremulous motion accompanied by a strange 
noise ; then it changed to a fearful swaying to and fro, and the 
lamp fell over and went out. I had time to pick it up and 
light it before the motion ceased, from which I should judge 
that it lasted fully half a minute. Itis a horrible sensation to 
have the solid earth swaying under your feet, and the thought 
presenting itself to your mind, that it may suddenly make an 
enormous gape right under you and swallow you up alive. 
I knew that the safest place was to remain where I was, 
for it was a small wooden house; but some of the crew— 
foolish fellows—when they felt it, bolted for the. beach, in- 
tending to get into the boat, I suppose. Several walls were 
cracked during the shock, and, like the hurricane, it was 
much more severe than is usually experienced on these 
islands. The: barometer was curiously affected by it, for it fell 
suddenly about half an inch as the shock came on, and 
rose again just as quickly, immediately after the shock had 
passed. 
Besides these general diversions, I had various occupations 
of my own, such as drawing and writing. The result of the 
latter employment, or a portion of it at least, I shall give 
in the following letter. 
