44 



CHILI. 



feel quite subdued and overwhelmed by some in- 

 visible power, beyond human control or compre- 

 hension. Then comes the horrible sound, dis- 

 tinctly heard ; and, immediately, the solid earth 

 is all in motion, waving to and fro, like the sur- 

 face of the sea. Depend upon it, Sir, a severe 

 earthquake is enough to shake the firmest mind. 

 Custom enables us to restrain the expression of 

 alarm ; but no custom can teach any one to wit- 

 ness such earthquakes without the deepest emo- 

 tion of terror 



25th. — Notwithstanding the severe fatigues of 

 the day before, our party was up and bustling 

 about by half past five this morning, making pre- 

 parations to return to the Port. Our obliging 

 host accompanied us for some leagues, and then 

 returned to his mines and his earthquakes, while 

 we hurried on, to make the most of the coolness 

 of the morning. In these countries, the day al- 

 ways breaks with a delicious freshness, which the 

 traveller soon learns to appreciate ; for even where 

 there is no dew to moisten the ground, the air is 

 then always pleasant, and the long shadows of the 

 eastern hills stretch across the valleys, and not 



