OF THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER, 1887. 
43 
Cottered.— Heard very distinctly here. — W. M. 
Hitchin.—T he shock was noticed at Hitchin soon after 8 o’clock, 
as the milkmen were going their rounds, and several of the men 
bear testimony to underground rumblings.— ''Herts Express,'' Hov. 26. 
A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here at 8'30 a.m. 
In this immediate neighbourhood it was thought that an explosion 
had taken place, hut within a few miles I fancy the characteristics 
were more marked. Five miles to the S.W. the sheep and cattle 
seem to have been quite panic-stricken; six miles to the H.E. the 
window-panes rattled quite in accordance with the usual descrip¬ 
tions of slight earthquakes.— TP. Lucas , Hitchin , in ‘ M. M p. 166. 
A noise was heard at times varying from 7"50 to 8-20 a.m. 
Those persons recording the time as between 7’50 and 8 seem to 
me so trustworthy that I imagine there may have been two noises. 
All persons noticing the noise describe it as producing a different 
impression to that usually accompanying thunder. This fact leads 
such persons to doubt its origin, and ascribe the noise to other 
causes within the range of their knowledge ; thus some say it was 
like the passage of a traction-engine, [or of] an iron water cart, a 
railway-collision, an explosion, the fall of some buildings, etc., 
though, of course, its comparison with thunder is pretty general. 
More than one witness declares the noise came from the air, as 
thunder would, and in no case can I obtain distinct evidence of 
earth-tremor, though a concussion, such as I have experienced on 
the firing of heavy guns, appears to have been noted, and is 
generally related as a “ shock.” The actual direction from which 
the noise proceeded must remain doubtful, the position of the 
persons noting it, doubtless, producing different impressions. On 
the whole it appears to have come from the S.E. quadrant of the 
compass, the inclination being more S. than E.— William Hill , 
[F.G.S.,] The Maples , Hitchin. 
Ftjrneux Pelham and Stocking Pelham.— The sound was heard 
by several people [at both places]. I only know of one person at 
Albury who heard it, that is the policeman. He tells me he heard 
it on Patmore Heath, and described it as the noise of a fog-signal 
used on the Thames in foggy weather.— John Caton , Albury , Little 
Had ham. 
Coles.— My gardener’s son says he heard the noise, like thunder, 
lasting several seconds, the loudest crack being at the end. It 
appeared to proceed from the S.S.W.—in the Hertford direction, 
say.— R. P. Greg , Coles. [Hertford is due S.S.W. from Coles.] 
Cumberlow Green.— A man going from Bed Hill to Walkern 
heard [the sound] when he got just past Cumberlow Green Farm, 
and is quite sure it was in the direction of Paldock. He met a 
man at Cromer Bottom, and began talking about it. The man at 
Cromer is sure it was more in the direction of Hitchin. — TP. M. 
[Baldock is 1ST.W. by W. from Cumberlow Green; Hitchin is 6° H. 
of W. from Cromer.] 
Ardeley. —Heard very distinctly.— W. M. 
Offley. —On the high ground near Offley a sound as of low 
