380 
DRS. T. ANDERSON AND J. S. FLETT ON THE ERUPTIONS OF THE 
a mile further south. The clay was very clear, aud the whole lip of the crater could 
be perfectly made out by those on the south-west side of the hill. From the north 
side the crater is concealed by the Intervening Somma wall, while the inhabitants of 
the windward C[uarter could see none of the upper parts of the mountain owing to the 
thick trade-wind cloud which covered them. 
Between 11 a.m. and 12 noon the labourers on Bichmond Estate noticed puffs of 
steam arising from the crater, and reported the fact to the manager. This seems to 
be the first trustworthy observation of activity on the jJart of the volcano. News 
travels fast among the black people, and word of this was not long in spreading to 
the adjoining estates. At 1.30 p.m. steam was seen by an observer at Wallibu 
ascending in a great pillar which spread out like a palm tree. It rose from the centre 
of the old crater. From Chateaubelair nothing suspicious had yet been noticed, but 
at 2.40 P.M. there was a loud report like that of cannon, and a great cloud of white 
steam shot up into the air to an immense height. The jieople gathered in the streets 
to see the sti'ange spectacle. There is an excellent system of telephonic communica¬ 
tion around the coast, and word was at once sent to Kingstown by the officer in 
charge of the police station at Chateaubelair, and the news that the Soufriere was in 
eruption was soon flashing over the island. 
In a very short time Chateaubelair was thronged with Caiibs from Morne Eonde 
on their way back to EoselDank, a little further south, Avhere there Avas another Carib 
settlement. Some had passed through earlier in the forenoon, and their fears had 
been mocked at by those Avhom they met. By 5 o’clock the village of Morne Eonde 
was deserted. 
As the afternoon advanced matters got distinctly more threatening in appearance. 
The trade-wind cloud hovered as usual over the mountain, but tlie ridge on the 
south side of the crater was visible from Chateaubelair. About 4.30 p.m. a big column 
of steam was seen to ascend from it, and several ol^servers remarked that at the base 
of this there Avas a red gloAv like the reflection of fire. About half-past 5 o’clock 
tliere Avas anotiier outburst, and the red reflection from the cloud Avas again A'isible. 
At 6 o’clock a tliick cloud of steam Avas emitted, and from Wallibu fire was seen 
forming a ring around the lip of the crater, and a crackling sound Avas heard, Avhich 
sounded like “ brusli on fire.” A general stampede ensued in tlie Aullages and 
plantations of Wallibu and Eichmoiid, only a feAv remaining to look after their 
property and domesticated animals. The sun Avas noAV setting. In Chateaubelair 
all Avas animation and excitement. The little Aullao'e Avas croAvded Avith refugees 
from the western base of the liill, and the Avhole population Avas standing in the 
streets and on the beach watching the progress of the eruption. Mr. T. M. 
McDonald, who had received AA^arning by telephone from his manager at Eichmoud 
Vale, that the Soufriere Avas emitting steam clouds, landed on the beach a little north 
of Chateaubelair pier at 6.30 p.m. He says—“The summit of the Soufriere AA'as 
enveloped in the usual Avhite cloud, and at first nothing unusual Avas visible. Within 
