SEND MY FAMILY HOME.

163

meet with in Cephalonia, and little did we think how nearly he had reached to the end of his career.) Tuesday, May 13. Thermometer only 73°. Slight earthquake at 2 A.M. (An earthquake the day before and the day after the Bishop's visit; but none on the day itself to gratify his laudable curiosity.)

Friday, the 16th of May. Went with Resident, Regent, President of Tribunal, and others to Lixuri. Sir C. Napier's Court-house, and many houses, split and shaken in various parts. Part of the roof and front of one house had actually fallen into the street. Another quake would bring down some houses entirely.

The next earthquake was on the night of the 3rd of June, after the departure from the island of the Prince of Wales. But it would be tedious to detail all the earthquakes recorded during that year.

On the 21st of June there were three separate (but slight) shocks in the course of the day. On the 26th of June, 9th, and 23rd of July, there were other similar shocks, with the N.W. wind generally prevailing. Perpetual storms were also characteristic of this year. On the night of the 11th, and on the morning of the 12th of August, fresh shocks took place, sufficient to keep up the alarm still prevailing.

On the 16th of August I had the satisfaction of seeing my family embark for England. The fear on my part of earthquakes on their account, more than

their state of health, made me rejoice that they should leave the island.

After their departure, not requiring many apartments, I left the big house for a small cottage, built chiefly of wood. Here I felt perfectly safe, although I succeeded an Englishman, who had hastened his departure to England, mainly from the dread of these terrifying visitations. The cottage was built on arches; and the hollows below it, and its nearness to the ground, certainly caused the subterranean sounds of the shocks to be very clearly distinguished. But the risk of death or serious injury was small indeed when compared with that which my family and I had so long incurred in the large house on the Mole. Yet my predecessor had been sadly tormented with visions of his future descent into the huge cellar, with the cottage collapsing over him.

On the 30th of August and the 26th and 27th of September there were shocks; one of which I did. not feel, being out walking at the time with a friend.

On the 16th of October I heard, in my solitary detached cottage, a strange underground sound during a perfect calm. A slight, scarcely perceptible earthquake followed. I have read explanations of the sounds that generally precede earthquakes, as arising from the shaking of the timbers and furniture of the neighbouring houses before the earthquake arrives at one's own house. But no