1 
MONTHLY MAGAZINE. ~ 
No. 158. | 
JULY 1,.1807. 
6 of Vor. 23. 
& As long as thofe who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving to their Cpinions a Maximum of 
¢ Influence and Celebrity, the moft extenfively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greatek Effect the 
&+ Curiofity of thofe who read either for Amufement or Inftruction.”” JOHNSON, 
ot 
~ 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
Authentic PARTICULARS of the FALL of 
MOUNT RUFFI of RUFFIBERG, t7 SWIT- 
ZERLAND, together with OBSERVATIONS. 
on the CAUSES Gnd CONSEQUENCES of 
that disustrous EVENT.* 
EVERAL accounts of this awful ca- 
tastrophe have already appeared in 
this and other countries, but they are, for 
the most part, incomplete, many of them 
being exceedingly incorrect, and none of 
them containing any precise enquiries re- 
specting the probable causes that pro- 
duced it. To elucidate this important 
subject, M. Saussure examined on the 
spot with philosophical accuracy, every 
thing that could tend to the establish- 
ment of such facts as might give confi- 
dence to the inhabitants of mountainous 
countries, who, from deceitful appear- 
ances, might apprehend a similar misfor- 
tune; and that might excite others to 
retire from situations exposed to real and 
unpending danger. 
The place in which this dreadful eala- 
mity happened, is in the canton of 
Schwitz, situated between the lakes of 
Zug and Lowertz, on two sides, and the 
mountains of Ruthberg and Rosi on the 
others. Here, says a person writing on 
the spot, but three weeks ago, was one 
of the most delightfully fertile valleys of 
all Switzerland, green and luxuriant, 
adorned with several little villages full 
of secure and happy farmers. Now three 
of these villages are for ever effaced from 
the earth, and an extended desolation, 
burying alive several hundred peasants, 
overspreads the valley of Lowertz. 
Early in the evening of the 2d ofSep- 
tember, an immense projection of, the 
mountain of Ruffiberg gave way, and 
was precipitated into this valley.- In 
four minutes it completely overwhelmed: 
* This account is partly translated from an 
able Memoir presented by M. T- Saussure to 
the Philosophical Society at Geneva; partly 
from the narrative of M. J. H, Meyer, and 
partly from the published observations of other 
eye-witnesses. 
Montuiy Mae. No. 158. 
three villages, and parts of two others, 
The torrent of earth and stones was more 
rapid than that of lava, and its effects as 
irresistible and terrible. The moun- 
tain in its tremendous descent carried 
trees, rocks, houses, every thing before it. 
The mass spread in every direction, so as’ 
to bury completely a space of charming 
country more than three miles square. 
The force of the earth was so great, that 
it not only spread over the hollow of the 
valley, but even ascended to a consi- 
derable height on the side of the oppo- 
site mountain. A portion of the falling 
mass relied into the lake of Lowertz, 
and it has been calculated that a fifth 
part of itis filled up. On this lake are 
two stall islands, celebrated for their 
picturesque beauty: of these one is fa- 
mous for the residence of two hermits, 
who were fortunately absent on a visit 
when this event took place; the other 
has been long known on account of the 
remains of an ancient castle, once belong- 
ing to the house of Hapsburg. So large 
was the body of water raised, and pushed 
forward by the falling of such a mass 
into the lake, that the two islands, aud 
the whole villace of Seven, at the nor- 
thern extremity, were for a time com- 
pletely. overwhelmed by the swell. A 
large house was lifted from its founda- 
tions, and carried to a distance from the 
spot where it formerly stood. 
Mountains by the action of water, air, 
and frost, have universally a tendency — 
to dissolution, and being reduced to their 
original particles, return to the bottom of 
the sea whence they probably arose; 
aud where perhaps they are formed 
anew. oe 
This decomposition generally operates 
by such slow degrees as to escape onser- 
vation; but on some occasions it ans 
nounces itself by sudden separations 
which overwhelms a whole country, anni- 
hilating the inhabitants, and leaving 
nothing behind but the image of disorder 
and destruction. 
‘The almost spontaneous decomposi- 
tions that have happened in different 
3U countries, 
