86 The Causes and Phenomena of Earthquakes. 



probably disclose a vaster mortality, ' when the sea shall give up 

 her dead,' than all that have perished by earthquake and its 

 effects." {Report, B.A., 1850, p. 63.) 



There is, however, one consideration which ought not to be 

 forgotten — that however man may be affected by these accidental 

 events, as this writer calls them, the earthquake " will ever 

 maintain its supremacy over all phenomena and circumstances, 

 for it is out of the power of man to foresee, to provide for, or to 

 counteract its effects ; " — and i£ nothing else can teach the same 

 lesson, he may therein be able to see his utter powerlessness and 

 insignificance amidst the Avonders of that creation in which he 

 holds dominion over all the other works of the Creator. 



As Humboldt has well said, we may flee from the crater of a 

 volcano in eruption ; or even from a lava stream that threatens 

 to invade our dwelling ; but " in an earthquake, direct our flight 

 whithersoever we will, we still feel we tread upon the very focus 

 of destruction." We lose our faith in the idea of stability and 

 practically acknowledge that no figurative language can convey 

 so grand a notion of the glorious majesty of God, as that which 

 an ancient prophet uses in describing the terrors of man, " when 

 He ariseth to shake terribly the earth." 





Abt. V. — On the. Water Supply of Sydney, by Professor Smith. 



[Eead 14th October, 1868.] 

 It is my intention to give in this paper a brief account of the 

 manner in which Sydney has hitherto been supplied with water, 

 reserving for some future occasion the question of the improve- 

 ment and extension of the supply. 



The first fleet sent out from Great Britain to found the colony 

 of New South Wales, arrived, as you may be aware, in Botany 

 Bay on the 18th, 19th, and 20th January, 1788. Being disap- 

 pointed with the capabilities of that locality, " which," says Mr. 

 White, the surgeon-general of the expedition, " does not in my 

 opinion by any means merit the commendations bestowed on it 

 by the much-lamented Cook, and others whose names and judg- 

 ment are no less admired and esteemed," the Governor (Phillip) 

 and a small party went round to ascertain if nothing better could 

 be found in Port Jackson. " The different coves of this harbour,' ' 

 we are told in ' Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay,' published in 



