EARTHQUAKES. 
501 
summer, to a population estimated at 30,000 souls. Business is 
very active there, the bazar being abundantly stored with every 
species of merchandise in demand. In winter the climate is not 
so severe as at Tabreez, one attraction to Abbas Mirza ; while 
the country also is more delightful in its scenery, and free from 
the shocks of earthquake so frequent at his capital. I, however, 
preferred a rest amongst my countrymen, notwithstanding all 
its threatenings, to a farther journey at that time ; and while 
awaiting the return of the prince, certainly had more than one 
taste of the awful visitation. 
During the present season, and towards the spring, scarce a 
week passes without some dreadful signals ; sometimes whole 
ranges of houses shaken down, and all inmates disregarding 
the timely warning, buried in their ruins. The first signal is a 
heaving of the earth, accompanied by the rapid shaking of doors 
and windows. On this hint, all who can, rush out into the 
court-yards, there to await the issue of the shock; which is 
generally attended by low hollow thunderings in the ground, 
seeming to roll regularly on towards the mountains, whence, 
after a pause of several seconds, loud noises are heard, like 
distant tremendous explosions. These, I doubt not, are the 
imprisoned roarings, bursting their way into the external air. 
But should they not find such a vent, they then roll back again, 
filling every creature with horror of where the certain destruc¬ 
tion may open its devouring jaws. At this moment the earth 
becomes literally palsied, and, even should the dreadful current 
again take a retrograde motion, every building falls a heap of 
ruins where the convulsion is felt. During the awful suspense, 
the town resounds with the most piercing cries of men, women, 
and children ; with the very dogs adding to the terror of the 
