SOUFRIERE, AND ON A VISIT TO MONTAGNE PELEE, IN 1902. 
463 
this year been reprinted as an appendix to the Bine Book on the volcanic eruptions in 
St. Vincent and Martinique, in May, 1902, where they will be found in full. 
Of these papers the most important is an anonymous account Avhich was published 
in the ‘ Evening News,’ June 30th, 1812. 
As it is the only contemporary history of the disaster, Ave reproduce it in extenso :— 
description of the Eruption of the Soufriere Mountain, on Thursday night, April 'dOth, 1812, in the Island of 
St. Vincent, 
“ The Soufriere Mountain, the most northerly of the lofty chain running through the centre of this 
island, and the highest of the whole, as computed l)y the most accurate survey that has yet l)een taken, 
had for some time past indicated much disquietude; and from the extraordinary frequency and violence 
of earthc[uakes, which are calcidated to have exceeded 200 within the last year, portended some great 
movement or eruption. The ajiprehension, however, Avas not so immediate as to restrain curiosity, or to 
prevent repeated visits to the crater, which of late had been more numerous than at any former period, 
even up to Sunday last. A])!’!! 26th, when some gentlemen ascended it, and remained there for some time. 
Nothing unusual Avas then remarked, or any external difference observed, except rather a stronger emission 
of smoke from the interstices of the conical hill, at the bottom of the crater. To those avIio have not 
visited this romantic and Avgnderful spot, a slight description of it, as it lately stood, is preA'iously 
necessary and indispensable to form anv conception of it, and to the better understanding the account 
Avhich folloAAcs ; for no one living can expect to see it again in the perfection and beauty in Avhich it Avas on 
Sunday, the 26th instant. 
“ About 2,000 feet from the level of the sea (calculating from conjecture), on the south side of the mountain, 
and rather more than tAvo-thirds of its height, opens an immense circular chasm, someAvhat exceeding 
half a mile in diameter, and lietAveen 400 and 500 feet in depth. Exactly in the centre of this capacious 
boAvl rose a conical hill, al)Out 250 or .300 feet in height, and about 200 in diameter, richly covered 
and A-ariegated Avith shrubs, IwushAvood, and vines above half-Avay up, and for the remainder poAvdered 
over Avith virgin sulphur to the top. From the fissures in the cone and interstices of the rocks a thin, 
Avhite smoke Avas constantly emitted, occasionally tinged Avith a slight, bluish flame. The precipitous sides 
of this magniflcent amphitheati'e Avere fringed AA'ith Avarious evergreens and aromatic shrubs, floAvers, and 
many alpine plants. On the north and south sides of the l)ase of the cone Avere tAvo pieces of Avatei', one 
perfectly pure and tasteless, the other strongly impregnated Avith sulphur and alum. This lonely and 
beautiful spot Avas rendered more enchanting by the singularly melodious notes of a bird, an inhalntant of 
these upper solitudes, and altogether unknoAvn to the other parts of the island; hence principally called 
or supposed to be invisible; though it certainly has been seen, and is a species of the merle. 
“ A century has noAv elapsed since the last convulsion of the mountain, or since any other element had 
disturbed the serenity of this Avilderness than those Avhich are common to the tropical tempest; it 
apparently slumbered in primeval solitude and tranquillity, and from the luxuriant vegetation and groAvth 
of the forest, Avhich covered its sides from the base nearly to the summit, seemed to discountenance the 
fact and falsify the records of the ancient volcano. >Such Avas the majestic, peaceful Soufriere on Api il 27th, 
but Ave trod on Agnein repositnin cineri doloso,' * and our imaginary safety AA^as soon to be confounded by 
the sudden danger of deA'astation. Just as the plantation bells rang 12 at noon on Monday, the 27th, an 
abrupt and dreadful crash from the mountain, Avith a severe concussion of the earth and tremulous noise in 
the air, alarmed all around it. The resurrection of this fiery furnace Avas j^roclaimed in a moment l)y a 
vast column of thick, black, ropey smoke, like that of an immense glass-house, bursting forth at once, and 
* “ Ignes suppositos cineri dulosod’ —HOKAGE, II, Od. I, 7. 
