OCR Text |
Show CONCEPCION. March, 1835. these provinces, of running out of doors at the first trembling of the ground, alone saved them. The may~r-domo at Quiriquina told me, that the first notice he received ?f the earthquake, was finding both the horse he rode, and himse~f, rolling together on the ground. Rising up, he was agam thrown down. He also told me that some cows, which were standing on the steep sides of the island, were rolled into the sea. The great wave, however, was far more destructive in this respect: on one low island near the head of ~he bay, seventy animals were washed off and drowned. It IS ge~erally thought that this has been the worst earthquake ever recorded in Chile ; but as the very bad ones occur only after long intervals, this cannot easily be known ; nor indeed would a much more severe shock have made any great difference, for the ruin is now complete. Mter viewing Concepcion, I cannot understand how the greater number of inhabitants escaped unhurt. The houses in many parts fell outwards; thus forming in the .middle of the streets little hillocks of brickwork and rubbish. Mr. Rous, 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 should 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 might not be perishing from the want of help. The thatched roofs fell over the fires, and flames burst forth in all parts. Hundreds knew March, 1835. EFFEC'l'S OF EAR1'HQUAKE. themselves to be ruined, and few had the means of providing food for the day. Can a more miserable and fearful scene be imagined? Earthquakes alone are sufficient to destroy the prosperity of any country. lf, for instance, 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, thicklypacked cities, great manufacturies, 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 go uncontrolled . In every large town famine would be proclaimed, pestilence and death following in its train. Captain FitzRoy has given an account of the great wave, which, travelling from seaward, burst over Talcuhano. In the middle of the bay it was seen as one unbroken swell of the water ; but on each side, meeting with resistance, it curled over, and tore up cottages and trees as it swept onwards with overwhelming force. At the head of the bay it is easy to imagine the fearful line of white breakers which three times rushed over, and almost obliterated, the ruins of the former town. Pools of salt water yet remained in the streets ; and children, making boats with old tables and chairs, appeared as happy as their parents were miserable. It was, however, exceedingly interesting to ob<>erve how active and cheerful all appeared, after their heavy misfortune. It was remarked with much truth, that from the destruction being universal, no one individual was humbled more than another, or could suspect his friends of coldness; and this latter effect is perhaps the most grievous one of the loss of wealth. ·Mr. Rous, and a large party whom he kindly took |