54 



stony crust of the Globe, and scatter desolation 

 in a country favoured by the most precious gifts 

 of nature. An uninterrupted calm prevails in 

 the superior atmosphere; but, to use an ex- 

 pression of Franklin's more ingenious than true, 

 the thunder often rolls in the subterranean at- 

 mosphere, amid that mixture of elastic fluids, 

 the impetuous movements of which are fre- 

 quently felt at the surface of the Earth. In 

 describing the destruction of so many populous 

 cities, we have given a picture of the greatest 

 calamities that afflict mankind. A nation, fight- 

 ing for independance, is suddenly exposed to 

 the want of subsistence, and of all the neces- 

 saries of life. Famished, without shelter, the 

 inhabitants are dispersed through the country. 

 Great numbers of those, who have escaped from 

 the ruin of their dwellings, are swept away by 

 disease. Far from strengthening mutual con- 

 fidence among the citizens, the feeling of mis- 

 fortune destroys it ; physical calamities augment 

 civil discord ; nor does the aspect of a country 

 bathed with tears and blood appease the fury of 

 the victorious party. 



After the recital of so many calamities, it is 

 soothing to repose the imagination on consola- 

 tory remembrances. When the great catastrophe 

 of Caraccas was known in the United States, 

 the Congress, assembled at Washington, unani- 

 mously decreed, that five ships laden with flour 



