Of the Earthquake in Sicily, in 1693.
IN 1693, an earthquake happened in Sicily, which may justly be accounted one of the most ⟨terrible⟩ of which we have any account. It shook ⟨the⟩ whole island: and not only that, but Naples ⟨and⟩ Malta shared in the shock. It was impossible ⟨for⟩ any body in this country to keep on their legs ⟨on⟩ the dancing earth; nay, those that lay on the ⟨ground⟩ were tossed from side to side as on a rolling billow: high walls leaped from their foundations several paces, &c. The mischief it did is ⟨amazing⟩; almost all the buildings in the countries ⟨were⟩ thrown down. Fifty-four cities and towns, ⟨beside⟩ an incredible number of villages, were ⟨either⟩ destroyed or greatly damaged. We shall ⟨only⟩ instance the fate of Catania, one of the most ⟨famous⟩, ancient, and flourishing cities in the kingdom: the residence of several monarchs, and ⟨the⟩ university. This once famous city had the greatest share in tragedy. Father Anthony ⟨Serrovita⟩ being on his way thither, and at the ⟨distance⟩ of a few miles, observed a black cloud ⟨like⟩ night hovering over the city; and there arose ⟨from⟩ the mouth of Montgibello great spires of ⟨Rome⟩, which spread all around. The sea all of a ⟨sudden⟩ began to roar and rise in billows, and there ⟨was⟩ a blow, as if all the artillery in the world had ⟨been⟩ at once discharged. The birds flew about ⟨astonished⟩; the cattle in the fields ran crying, ⟨&c.⟩ His and his companions horses stopped short, ⟨trembling⟩; so that they were forced to alight. ⟨They⟩ were no sooner off, but they were lifted ⟨from⟩ the ground above two palms, when casting ⟨our⟩ eyes towards Catania, he with amazement saw ⟨nothing⟩ but a thick cloud of dust in the air. Thiswas
