MISCELLANEOTJS OBSERVATIONS. 179 



(sixty-six years prior to the settlement of the Islands J, and 

 that the inscription on "Spanish," or "Spaniard's Eock," 

 has been cut by some, of the hapless survivors of its crew, 

 correctly shewing the date of the catastrophe. — J. L. H. 



The Earthquake.— On Tuesday' night last (March 2, 

 1858), a sensation, happily but little known in»these Islands, 

 was felt from one extremity to the other of the group. As 

 soon as the surprise of the moment allowed time for reflec- 

 tion, all perceived that Bermuda was being shaken by an 

 earthquake, and many, especially those who elsewhere have 

 witnessed the dread effects of this disastrous phenomenon, 

 became much alarmed. Many hastily prepared themselves 

 for escape, and others began to cast about for some place of 

 security and safety. 



The shock occurred as nearly as possible at thirty minutes 

 past ten o'clock, and continued for several seconds, how 

 many it is extremely dif&cult to conjecture, but all, the ex- 

 perienced as well as the novices, observed that it was a very 

 protracted one. We have heard several West Indians say 

 that they have seldom felt a more decided or more prolonged 

 shock. 



The direction in which the earthquake travelled seemed 

 to be from South West to North East, or from South to 

 North. An accurate statement, however, on this point can 

 only be obtained from a comparison of the time when it 

 touched the various parts of the Islands, and this cannot 

 easily be obtained, when there is no common public standard 

 of time. 



Those who saw the water in Hamilton Harbour say that 

 it was much and peculiarly agitated, as is so frequently the 

 case on such occasions. Vessels straiued hard at their 



