322 MITCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES, &C. AT ST. VINCENTS. 



that drove it on, forming the figure V in grand illumination. Some- 

 times, when the ebullition slackened, or was insufficient to urge it over 

 the obstructing hill, it recoiled back, like a refluent billow from the 

 rock, and then again rushed forward, impelled by fresh supplies, and 

 scaling every obstacle, carrying rocks and woods together, in its course 

 down the slope of the mountain, until it precipitated itself down some 

 vast ravine, concealed from our sight by the intervening ridges of 

 Morne Ronde. Vast globular bodies of fire were seen projected from 

 the fiery furnace, and bursting, fell back into it, or over it, on the sur- 

 rounding bushes, which were instantly set in flames. About four hours 

 from the lava boiling over the crater, it reached the sea, as we could 

 observe from the reflection of the fire, and the electric flashes attending 

 it. About half past one, another stream of lava was seen descending to 

 the eastward, toward Rabacca. The thundering noise of the mountain, 

 and the vibration of sound that had been so formidable hitherto, now, 

 mingled in the sullen monotonous roar of the rolling lava, became so 

 terrible that dismay was almost turned into despair. At this time the 

 first earthquake was felt ; this was followed by showers of cinders, that 

 fell Avith the hissing noise of hail during two hours. At three o'clock, 

 a rolling" on the roofs of the houses indicated a fall of stones, which 

 soon thickened, and, at length, descended in a rain of intermingled fire, 

 that threatened at once the fate of Pompeii, or Herculaneum. The 

 crackling and coruscations from the crater at this period exceeded all 

 that had yet passed. The eyes were struck with momentary blindness, 

 and the ears stunned with the glomeration of sounds. People sought 

 shelter in cellars, under rocks, or any where ; for everywhere was nearly 

 the same; and the miserable negroes flying from their huts, were 

 knocked down, or wounded, and many killed in the open air. Several 

 houses were set on fire. The estates situated in the immediate vicinity 

 seemed doomed to destruction. Had the atones thai fell been propor- 



