MITCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES OF 1811, 1312, AND 1813. 283 



tinued to swing "for some seconds longer. These observations, made by 

 Messrs. Bigelow and Moseley, may serve as specimens of a multitude 

 of phenomena of those kinds. 



The atmosphere seemed to forebode some unusual occurrence. 

 One of my most correct and respectable friends, declared in conversa- 

 tion, and stated to me in writing, that he made an observation of the 

 sky about ten o'clock that night. It was quite calm. There waB 

 not a breath of wind stirring. The air was perfectly clear and free 

 from clouds. Nevertheless, it was uncommonly dark, and the stars 

 which appeared in every part through the gloom, were lurid and dim, 

 and afforded little light. 



In Richmond the signs of an earthquake were witnessed by many 

 persons. At three o'clock on the same morning, (the 16th of Decem- 

 ber,) there were said to be three successive shocks; another about 

 six; and a third about eight. Several people were impressed with 

 a belief that thieves had entered their dwellings; and in one of the most 

 elevated mansions, the bells were set a ringing in both the upper and 

 lower rooms. The noise and concussion were supposed by some to pro- 

 ceed from east to west. 



It was stated at Norfolk that two very distinct shocks were felt in 

 that town and in Portsmouth ; to wit, at three and eight o'clock in the 

 morning of the 16th. Some clocks were reported to have stopped ; 

 the doors rattled; and articles hanging from the ceilings of shops and 

 houses, swung to and fro, although a perfect calm prevailed. 



At Raleigh (N. C.) several slight earthquakes were felt on the morn- 

 ing of the 16th December. The first happened between two and three 

 o'clock, and was distinctly perceived by all who were awake at the time. 

 Two others were reported to have occurred between that time and 

 seven o'clock, but were not plainly observed, except by some members 



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