326 
CONCEPCION 
CHAP. 
streets little hillocks of brickwork and rubbish. Mr. Rouse, 
the English consul, told us that he was at breakfast when the 
first movement warned him to run out He had scarcely 
reached the middle of the courtyard, when one side of his 
house came thundering down. He retained presence of mind 
to remember, that if he once got on the top of that part which 
had already fallen, he would be safe. Not being able from 
the motion of the ground to stand, he crawled up on his hands 
and knees ; and no sooner had he ascended this little eminence, 
than the other side of the house fell in, the great beams 
sweeping close in front of his head. With his eyes blinded 
and his mouth choked with the cloud of dust which darkened 
the sky, at last he gained the street. As shock succeeded 
shock, at the interval of a few minutes, no one dared approach 
the shattered ruins ; and no one knew whether his dearest 
friends and relations were not perishing from the want of help. 
Those who had saved any property were obliged to keep a 
constant watch, for thieves prowled about, and at each little 
trembling of the ground, with one hand they beat their breasts 
and cried “ misericordia! ” and then with the other filched 
what they could from the ruins. The thatched roofs fell over 
the fires, and flames burst forth in all parts. Hundreds knew 
themselves ruined, and few had the means of providing food 
for the day. 
Earthquakes alone are sufficient to destroy the prosperity of 
any country. If beneath England the now inert subterranean 
forces should exert those powers which most assuredly in former 
geological ages they have exerted, how completely would the 
entire condition of the country be changed! What would 
become of the lofty houses, thickly packed cities, great 
manufactories, the beautiful public and private edifices ? If the 
new period of disturbance were first to commence by some 
great earthquake in the dead of the night, how terrific would be 
the carnage ! England would at once be bankrupt; all papers, 
records, and accounts would from that moment be lost. 
Government being unable to collect the taxes, and failing to 
maintain its authority, the hand of violence and rapine would 
remain uncontrolled. In every large town famine would go 
forth, pestilence and death following in its train. 
Shortly after the shock, a great wave was seen from the 
