S4 
THE SOUFFRIBRE MOUNTAIN. 
to the tropical tempest. It apparently slumbered in f, 
meval solitude and tranquillity, and, from the luxuO^ 
vegetation and growth of the forest, which covered its s' 
from the base nearly to the summit, seemed to di«coU»‘| 
nance the fact, and falsify the records of the ancient 
cano. .j.Such was the majestic, peaceful Soiiffriere, on APJ 
the 27th ; hut our imaginary safety was soon to be confoui' 
od by the sudden danger of devastation. Just as tlie p'^ 
ration bells rang at noon on that day, an abrupt and dre^ 
ful crash from the mountain, with a severe concussion of ^ 
earth, and tremulous noise in the air, alarmed all arouny , 
The resurrection of this fiery furnace was proclaimed lO 
moment by a vast column of thick, black, ropy 
like that of an immense glass-house, bursting fortli at 
and mounting to the sky ; showering down sand, with gf'*' 
cak-ined particles of earth and ashes mixed, on all belo 
This, driven before the wind towards Wallibou and 
Ronde, darkened the air like a cataract of rain, and cove'^ 
die ridges, woods, and cane-pieces widi hglit grey-coloU^. 
ashes, resembling snow when slightly covered by dust, j 
the eruption increased, this continual shower expand''^ 
destroying every appearajice of vegetation. At night a 
considerable degree of ignition was observed on the lip'* . 
(he crater ; but It is not asserted tliat there was as yet n 
visible ascension of flame. The same awfiil scene prescO'^ 
itself on the following day ; the fall of ashes and cald"^ 
pebbles still increasing, and the compact, pitchy cok' 
from the crater rising perpendicidarly to an immense heig 
, • 
with a noise at Intervals like the muttering of distant 1 
On Wednesday, the 29th, all these menacing syn 
toms of horror and combustion still gathered more thick , 
terrific for miles around the dismal and half-observed 
tain. The prodigious column shot up with quicker 
dilating as it rose like a balloon. The sun appeared in 
eclipse, and shed a meridian twiliglit over us, that aggra''* J 
the wintry gloom of the scene, now completely posyd 
over with falling particles. It was evident that the t"‘'Sis ) 
yet to come— that the burning fluid was struggling 
vent, and labouring to tlirow otf the superincumbent 
and obstructions, which suppressed its torrent. 
it watt manifest that it had greatly disengaged itSelf tio' 
