The Philosophy of Earthquakes, Natural and Religious/Part 2
THE
PHILOSOPHY
OF
EARTHQUAKES,
Natural and Religious.
PART II.
By WILLIAM STUKELEY, M. D. Rector
of St. George's, Queen-Square: Fellow of the
College of Physicians and Royal Society:
LONDON:
Printed for C. Corbet over-against St. Dunstan's
Church, Fleetstreet.
MDCCL.
PREFACE.
This diſcourſe is but a neceſſary conſequence of the preceding. The whole no other than an eſſay, toward inveſtigating the true nature of the wonderful appearance of an earthquake. And ſomething is done toward it, if only by eradicating an old error. In attaining the propoſed end, I have endeavoured to lay all the neceſſary circumſtances together, which to our great amazement we have ſeen, and felt. That they may not be as ſoon forgotten, as they generally were, by the giddy multitude; equally thoughtleſs of what they knew to be paſt, as childiſhly fearful of an imaginary one, ſubſequent: for which there could not be the leaſt ground of apprehenſion. By ſober perſons it was, with great reaſon, thought a judicial infatuation, and as much to be wonder’d at, as an earthquake itſelf; a real panic. When a third part of this immenſe city ran out into the fields for half a cold night; alarmed with the filly prediction of a diſtemper’d fellow!
Nothing could tempt one to commemorate the follies of our cotemporaries, but the hope, it may be uſeful hereafter: and to ſhow the true cauſe of this ſenſeleſs terror; the want of a true ſenſe of religion; and an univerſal degeneracy, and corruption of manners: begun by the great ones, and now propagated thro’ all degrees to the loweſt: begun in, this great city; and now advancing apace to every great town in the kingdom.
’T is from the great ones alone, that we can hope for a reformation: and that by a ſtrict obſervance of the ſabbatical duty, Example, we know, governs the actions of mankind. That muſt reſtore the practice, and the influence of religion: which alone can prevent the dangers that infeſt every corner of our ſtreets; every road in the kingdom. We miſtake the pointy and betray our ignorance in human nature, when we think, acts of parliament, laws, and executions will do it. They are very weak in compariſon of the impreſſons of religion, and conſcience: as all philoſophy both natural and religious, has hitherto thought, and known. TO
Martin Folkes, Eſq.; Ll. D.
Preſident of the Royal Society.
Since I had the honour to lay before the Society, in the ſpring, my thoughts upon earthquakes: we have had many further opportunities of reflecting upon that moſt awful, and hitherto unuſual appearance. An earthquake was felt at Eaſtwell in Kent, on monday, march 12, and on ſunday, march 18, at Portſmouth, the Iſle of Wight, Southampton, and along the coaſt of Suſſex, the iſles of Guernſey, Jerſey. April 2, a ſmart earthquake at Mancheſter, Liverpool, Taunton, Bath, Flint, Lancaſter, Wrexham, reaching 40 miles north and ſouth: 70 miles eaſt and weſt. Since then at Rome, Naples, Leghorn; in the ſouth of France, and at Pau under the Pyrenean mountains; Oporto, at S. Macaire in Guienne, Meſſina in Sicily, Munich in Bavaria, &c. &c. ſo that the year 1750, may rather be called the year of earthquakes, than of jubilee. For ſince February laſt, when they began with us at London; as far as I can learn, they have appear’d in many parts of Europe, Aſia, Africa, and America. And have likewiſe reviſited many counties in our own iſland, and at length, on the 30th of laſt ſeptember gave much the moſt extenſive ſhock, we have ſeen here in our days.
It may be well expected, that theſe frequent viſits, in themſelves ſo very extraordinary, to us ſo rare, and that, in one year, ſhould keep up our attention: and as to my own part, induce one to reflect, on what I before offer’d concerning them; and be a Efficient apology for the preſent paper.
We have been acquainted, by thoſe who remember it, that in the earthquake of nov. 1703, which happen’d in Lincolnſhire, the weather was calm, cloſe, gloomy, warm, and dry; in a degree highly unuſual, at that ſeaſon. And thus it has been with us, all the year. And from the numerous accounts we have receiv’d at the Royal Society, in the beginning, and ending of the year; where any mention is made of the weather; they all agree in the like particular. Which is conſentaneous to what I remark’d, as the conſtant forerunner of earthquakes; and what prepares the earth’s ſurface, for the electrical ſtroke: which I aſſerted to be the cauſe of them.
In may laſt, we had a paper read at the Royal Society, concerning the ſecond earthquake felt by us at London, on the 8th of march. A ſhepherd belonging to Mr. Secretary Fox at Kenſington (the sky being perfectly ſerene, and clear) was much ſurpriſed with a very extraordinary noiſe in the air, rolling over his head, as of cannon cloſe by. He likewiſe thought, that it came from the north-weſt, and went to the ſouth-eaſt: a motion quite contrary, to what muſt have been the caſe, if it were really of cannon. This noiſe paſs’d ruſhing by him; and inſtantly he ſaw the ground (a dry, and ſolid ſpot) wave under him, like the face of the river. The tall trees of the avenue, where he was, nodded their tops very ſenſibly, and quiver’d like a ſhaken ſpear. The flock of ſheep immediately took fright, and ran all away together, as if dogs had purſued them. A great rookery in the place, were equally alarm’d, and after an univerſal clangor, flew away; no leſs than if chaced by hawks.
I was likewiſe inform’d, that in the ſame earthquake, a great parcel of hens, and chickens, kept at that time in Gray’s-inn-lane, upon the ſhock, ran to the rooſt, affrighted. And the like was obſerv’d of pigeons. And in our laſt account of the earthquake from Northampton, ’t is remarked, that the birds in cages put their heads under their wings, as to hide themſelves.
June 21, at the Royal Society, Mr. Jackſon potter at Lambeth, gave an account of ſome boats, cobles, and lighters in the river, at that time; the people in them ſeem’d to feel, as if a porpoiſe, or ſome great fiſh, had heav’d and thump’d at the bottom of the veſſels. This is ſometimes the caſe of ſhips at ſea, when all is perfectly calm: which ſeems evidently owing to an electrical impreſſion on the water.
In the evening-poſt of june 23, we had a paragraph from Venice, that a terrible earthquake had been felt lately in the little rock iſle of Cerigo, in the Mediterranean, ſouth of Morea. It threw down a great number of houſes; and above 2000 of the inhabitants were buried in the ruins.
Another earthquake about that time, happen’d in Switzerland; which ſplit a vaſt, rocky mountain; and an old caſtle wall of an immenſe thickneſs.
All theſe circumſtances, and many more, confirmed me in my former opinion. But ſince then, theſe wonderful movements have ſtalk’d round the globe: and again been lately felt in our own iſland; happily for us, to the terror only, of many thouſand people: beſide thoſe concuſſions of this ſort that appear’d in the weſtern parts, in the more early time of the year.
I receiv’d a letter from my friend Maurice Johnſon, Eſq.; the founder, and ſecretary, of the Literary Society of Spalding; which has now ſubſiſted theſe 40 years. He acquaints me, that on thurſday, 23d of Auguſt laſt, an earthquake was very ſenſibly felt there, about ſeven o’clock in the morning; throughout the whole town and neighbourhood; and many miles round: but that it chiefly ſpread itſelf northward, and ſouthward. He ſays, that for a fortnight before, the weather had been ſerene, mild, and calm. And one evening, there was a deep red aurora auſtralis, covering the cope of heaven, very terrible to behold. This ſame ſhock was felt at Grantham, Stamford, and Milton by Peterborough; and generally at all the intermediate places: and from Spalding it fled northward, along the ſea ſhore, to Boſton: thence up Boſton river, to Lincoln.
Since then, I had a letter from Mr. Alderman Taylor of Stamford, giving an account of another earthquake, that happen’d there, ſeptember 30, at 36 minutes after twelve o’clock at noon. He deſcribes it thus. They were ſuddenly ſurpriſed with an uncommon noiſe in the air, like the rolling of large carriages in the ſtreets, for about 20 ſeconds. At the ſame inſtant they felt a great ſhake, or ſnap, as he calls it; inſomuch that it ſenſibly ſhook a punch-bowl, which was in his parlour, and made it ring. He ſays, it was perceiv’d of moſt of the people of Stamford, who generally ran out of their houſes. At Oakham the chief town of Rutland, the congregation ran out of the church whilſt the preacher was in the pulpit. All the towns round Stamford, were ſenſible of it: and at Peterborough, down to Wiſbech.
Thus far the Alderman. But we have had many advices from all hands, at the firſt, and ſecond meetings of the Royal Society, for the winter ſeaſon; with further particulars relating to this great concuſſion. That it was felt at the ſame time, at Rugby in Warwickſhire, and reach’d to Warwick, at Lutterworth, in Leiceſterſhire: at Leiceſter, and round about. It extended itſelf to Coventry, Derby, Nottingham, Newark; then came eaſtward to Harborough, Towceſter, Northampton, Rowel, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oundle, in Northamptonſhire; Uppingham, Oakham, in Rutland; Stamford, Bourn, Grantham, Spalding, Boſton, and to Lincoln in Lincolnſhire; Holbech, and all Holland in that county. Peterborough, Wiſbech, in the iſle of Ely; together with all the intermediate, and adjacent places. Then it paſſed over the whole breadth of Ely fen: was felt at Mildenhall, and reach’d to Calford by Bury in Suffolk, and the country thereabouts; of which we had notice from lady Cornwallis. An extent from Warwick to Bury of about 100 miles in length; and generally ſpeaking, 40 miles in breadth. And this vaſt ſpace was pervaded by this amazing motion, as far as we can get any ſatisfaction, in the ſame inſtant of time. They deſcribe it, that the houſes totter’d, and ſeem’d to heave up, and down: tho’ it laſted but a few ſeconds. It was attended with a ruſhing noiſe, as if the houſes were falling, and people were univerſally ſo affrighted, as to run out; imagining that their own, or their neighbours houſes were tumbling on their heads. In the villages around, the people being generally at divine ſervice, were much alarm’d: both with the noiſe, which exceeded all the thunder they had ever heard, beyond compare: and with the great ſhock accompanying I which was like ſomewhat, as they imagin’d, that ruſh’d againſt the church-walls, and roof. Some thinking the pillars crack’d, many that the beams of the roof were disjointed; and all, that the whole was falling. And happy were they that could get out firſt. Many people fancied, that neſts of drawers, and cabinets, or the like heavy things, were fallen down above ſtairs: or that chimnies had broke thro’ the roof of the houſe: or that ſome perſons fell down ſtairs: and the like. Some perceived the crackling of inward wainſcots or partitions: as Dr. Mortimer and I, obſerv’d in our firſt and ſecond ſhocks at London. A few ſlates, tiles, and parts of chimneys fell from ſome houſes: pewter, china, glaſſes, and braſs from ſhelves. A clock bell, chamber bell ſometime ſtruck: windows univerſally rattled, and the like circumſtances of tremor.
In regard to circumſtances, they were pretty ſimilar throughout. Many people ſitting in their chairs relate, that they and their chairs were ſeveral times ſenſibly lifted up and ſet down again. A ſtack of chimneys were thrown down in College-lane; a place retaining the memory of a ſort of univerſity once beginning at Northampton. The windows of houſes rattled throughout the whole town: but no miſchief done: in general it was frightful, and innocuous.
They fancied there, the motion of it, as they expreſſed it, to be eaſtward. In ſtreets that run north and ſouth, the houſes on the eaſt ſide of the way, were moſt affected. And Dr. Stonehouſe’s dwelling, the ſtrongeſt in the town, was moſt ſenſibly ſhaken. So it was likewiſe obſerv’d, that churches were moſt ſubject to its violence. They thought too, that the motion ſeem’d rather horizontal, or lateral, than upward. Some counted the pulſes diſtinctly, to the number of four: that the ſecond, and third pulſes were ſtronger, than the firſt, and fourth.
From all theſe various accounts, there was no ſulphureous ſmell, or eruption; no fiſſures in the ground perceived. Yet ſeveral people were ſick upon it: infinite numbers terribly affrighted, and as ſoon forgot the impreſſion of it; or talk’d of it in a merry ſtrain; as commonly with us at London. So little are the vulgar affected, without ſomething very ſenſible; and ſo ſoon is the ſenſe of it worn out!
It was more evidently perceiv’d, by people ſtanding; moſt, by thoſe that were ſitting: leaſt, by ſuch as were walking: and in upper ſtores of houſes, more than in lower; or in cellars. Some coming down ſtairs, were in danger of being thrown forwards. Several ſitting in a chair, and hearing the low, thundring noiſe, and thinking it was a coach paſſing by; when they attempted to get up, to ſee what it was, they were thrown back again in their chair. Some heard the wainſcot crackle. Some ſitting in their chairs leaning forwards, were thrown down on their hands, and knees. Some people heard the noiſe without feeling the ſhock: others felt the ſhock without hearing the noiſe. Some in a ſtanding poſture, were forc’d to lay hold on a table, to keep themſelves from falling.
It was particularly remarked (as before obſerv’d) that birds in cages were ſenſibly affrighted; thruſting their heads under their wings. Mrs. Allicock of Loddington, Northamptonſhire, a lady in child-bed, was ſo affected, that it cauſed her death. Mrs. Hardy, another lady in the ſame circumſtance, and in the ſame county, likewiſe expired upon it. Some people felt a ſudden ſhortneſs of breath, that they were forc’d to go out into the open air, it ſo affected the pulmonary nerves. Many were taken with head-achs, and other ſickneſſes.
Theſe are, in general, the circumſtances and obſervations made, at the time of theſe earthquakes; when we recollect ourſelves, after the ſuddeneſs, and fright. Give me leave to make the following remarks therefrom.
1ſt. As far as we can poſſibly learn, where no one can be prepar’d, at different places, by time keepers; this mighty concuſſion was felt, preciſely at the ſame inſtant of time; being about half an hour after twelve at noon. This, I preſume, cannot be accounted for, by any natural power, but by that of an electrical vibration; which, we know, acts inſtantaneouſly.
2dly, Let us reflect on the vaſt extent of this trembling, 100 miles in length, 40 in breadth, which amounts to 4000 ſquare miles in ſurface. That this ſhould be put into ſuch an agitation, in one moment of time, is ſuch a prodigy; as we ſhould never believe, or conceive, did we not know it to be faſt, from our own ſenſes. But if we look for a ſolution of it, we cannot think, any natural power is equal to it, but that of electricity; which acknowledges no ſenſible tranſition of time; no bounds.
3ly, We obſerve, the vulgar ſolution of ſubterraneous eruptions receives no countenance, from all that was ſeen, or felt, during theſe earthquakes. It would be very hard to imagine, how any ſuch thing could ſo ſuddenly, and inſtantaneouſly operate, thro’ this vaſt ſpace: and that in ſo ſimilar, and tender a manner over the whole, thro’ ſo great a variety, as well as extent of country; as to do no miſchief. A philoſophical inquirer in Northamptonſhire, who had his eye particularly on this point, takes notice, there were not any fiſſures in the ground; any ſulphureous ſmells, or eruptions any where perceiv’d; ſo as to favour internal convulſions of the earth. The reverend Mr. Nixon of Higham, and Mr. Smith, in his letter from Peterborough take notice, that they could not learn, there were any fort of eruptions out of the earth, any where: no ſmoke, vapor, or ſmell: tho’ they made ſufficient inquiry about that circumſtance, according to particular direction. Yet we learn from a letter at Uppingham in Rutland, that a plaiſter floor became crack’d thereby. Theſe kind of floors are frequent in this country; what we call ſtucco in London: arid it gives us a good notion of the undulatory vibration, produc‘’d by an earthquake; which ſome have compared to that of a muſical ſtring: others to that of a dog, or a horſe ſhaking themſelves, when they come out of the water. This laſt compariſon would have pleaſed ſome of the ancients, who would needs fancy, that the globe of the earth was a great animal. Plato, Plutarch, and others, had ſuch kind of ſentiments. Whence one may imagine, that they would conceive an earthquake to be, as when a horſe ſhakes a part of his skin, upon a fly touching him. Some of our correſpondents expreſs the motion of an earthquake to be like a boat lifted up by one wave, let down by another.
4ly, The former earthquake that happen’d at Grantham, Spalding, Stamford, (which towns lie in a triangle) took up a ſpace which may, in groſs, be accounted a circle of 30 miles diameter: the center of which is that great moraſs, called Deeping-fen. This comprehends 15 miles of that 30, in diameter: and where probably, the electrical impreſſion was firſt made. Much the major part of Deeping-fen is under water in the winter time; underneath ’t is a perfect bog. Now it is very obvious, how little favorable ſuch ground is, for ſubterraneous fires.
In the ſecond earthquake, not only this country was affected again, but likewiſe a much larger ſpace of the ſame ſort of fenny ground, rather worſe than the former: all Donnington-fen, Deeping-fen, Croyland-fen, Thorney-fen, Whitleſea-fen, Bedford level, and the whole extent of Ely-fen, under various denominations. This country, under the turf, abounds with ſubterraneous timber of all forts; fir, oak, and bruſh-wood: and ſtags horns. Now and then they find a quantity of hazel nuts, crouded together on an heap. I have ſome of them. This is a matter common to all boggy ground over the whole globe. Such things are the ruins of the antediluvian world, waſhed down from the high country where they grew, were here lodg’d upon the ſubſiding of the waters, and by time are o’ergrown with the preſent turf. They that ſeek for any other ſolution of this affair, than the univerſal Noachian deluge, want to account for a general effect, by a partial cauſe: and ſhut their eyes, both to the plain hiſtory of this matter; and to the infinite, notorious demonſtrations of it, from foſſil appearances.
5ly, All this country, tho’ underneath ’t is a watry bog, yet thro’ this whole ſummer, and autumnal ſeaſon (as they can have no natural ſprings in ſuch a level) the drought has been ſo great on the ſuperficies, that the inhabitants were oblig’d every day, to drive their cattle ſeveral miles, for watering. The drought was greater, than has been known in the memory of any one living. This ſhows how fit the dry ſurface was, for an electrical vibration. And we learn from hence, this important particular, that it reaches but very little below the earth’s ſurface.
Mr. Johnſon, in another letter which he wrote to me concerning the ſecond earthquake obſerv’d at Spalding; ſays upon this occaſion, he was obliged to ſcour his canal, and deepen it: that they came to a white, quickſand; which afforded to all the neighbourhood, excellent water in plenty.
In the gravelly ſoil of London; and where the two ſhocks were felt by us, in the beginning of the year; we know, there is not a houſe in the whole extent of this vaſt city, and all around it, but a ſpring of water is ready, upon digging a well. Whence we have much reaſon to believe, that the interior of the earthy is like a ſponge ſoak’d in water. So that the only dry part is the ſuperficies, which is the object, and the ſubject of that electric vibration; wherein, according to my ſentiments, an earthquake conſiſts.
This ſhews the miſtake of the ancients, who fancying that earthquakes proceeded from ſubterraneous eruptions, built their prodigious temple of Diana at Epheſus, upon a boggy ground, to prevent ſuch a diſaſter. The marshy part of Lincolnſhire, being my native country, the adjacent fen, together with that in the iſle of Ely, I have been perfecly acquainted with; from one end to the other, ever ſince I knew any thing. This vaſt extent of fenny level, from near Cambridge in the ſouth, to near Horncaſtle in the north, is 70 miles in length. And when I perceiv’d, that it was, in whole, or in part, ſhaken by both the laſt earthquakes: I could not but ſee, that it was no leſs than a demonſtration againſt the old notion of their cauſe.
6ly, Earthquakes are truly moſt, violent, in a rocky country: becauſe the ſhock is proportionate to the ſolidity of the matter electrify’d. So that rocks, cliffs, quarries, old caſtle walls, and ſtrong buildings, are moſt obnoxious to the concuſſion. The iſle of Cerigo was more liable, and more rudely handled by the late earthquake; both becauſe it was an iſle, and becauſe it was rocky. So we muſt ſay of the late earthquake in Switzerland, that ſplit the mountain, and the old caſtle wall. Whence Mr. Johnſon in his ſecond letter, ſays, it cracked a very ſtrong brick-houſe in Goſberton by Spalding. Dr. Doderidge obſerves from Northampton, that Dr. Stonehouſe’s dwelling being a very ſtrong one, was moſt ſenſibly ſhaken. And throughout the whole compaſs of this great earthquake, we find, both the noiſe, the ſhock, and the terror was greateſt at the churches, whoſe walls and bulk made more reſiſtance than houſes. And generally ſpeaking, the churches throughout this whole extent have very fair, and large towers, and very many remarkable ſpires all of good ſtone, which no doubt quiver’d very much at top, if we could have diſcern’d it. This ſame vibration impreſſed on the water, meeting with the ſolid of the bottom of ſhips, and lighters, gives that thump felt thereon; juſt as in common electrifying, we feel the ſtroke upon the joints of our limbs chiefly. Yet of the millions of ordinary houſes, over which it paſſed, not one fell. A conſideration which ſufficiently points out to us, what fort of a motion this was not, what fort of a motion it was, and whence deriv’d; not a convulſion of the bowels of the earth, but an uniform vibration or undulation of its ſurface, aptly thought like that of a muſical ſtring: or what we put a drinking glaſs into, by robbing one’s finger over the edge; which yet brought to a certain pitch, breaks the glaſs; undoubtedly an electric repulſion of parts. And from this remarkable ſimilarity in the appearance of earthquakes we gather an invincible argument againſt the old opinion of their cauſe; for the tumult of ſubterraneous eruptions can have no poſſible place herein.
7ly, We find from all accounts, ancient and modern, that the weather preceding theſe ſhocks, was mild, warm, dry, ſerene, clear, froſty: what notoriouſly favours all our electrical experiments. This is particularly obſerv’d by Mr. Johnſon and Mr. Smith, and other accounts. In the extenſive ſhock of ſunday, march 18, along the Suſſex coaſt, they take notice from Portſmouth, that the day was ſerene, warm, and dry, and that a ſhower of rain fell immediately before the ſhock. Mr. Bowman of Moulſey obſerv’d a ſhock there on may 24 laſt, and ſays, the air was perfectly ſerene, and clear. We very well know, that generally, all laſt winter ſpring, ſummer, and autumn, have been moſt remarkably of this kind of weather; more ſo, than has been obſerv’d in our memory; and have had all thoſe requiſites, appearances, and preparations, that notoriouſly cauſe electricity, that promote it, or that are the effects of it.
8ly, We find the blood-red auſtralis aurora preceding at Spalding, as with us at London. At the time of the earthquake at Mancheſter this year, it accompanied it. And this year has been more remarkable than any for fire-balls, ſtorms, wind, thunder, lightnings, and coruſcations, almoſt throughout all England. A large ball of fire, with a long fiery tail on july 22, that paſſed over great part of England northward. Another ſeen over London, paſſing from weſt to eaſt, in october. Coruſcations were ſeen juſt before that extenſive ſhock of 70 miles long felt from Lancaſter to Wrexham, on april 2, laſt. Fire-balls more than one were ſeen in Rutland, and Lincolnſhire: and particularly obſerv’d. And Mr. Smith from Peterborough writes, that a fire-ball was ſeen the morning of the earthquake, in the upper part of Northamptonſhire. All theſe kind of meteors are rightly judg’d to proceed from a ſtate of electricity in the earth and atmoſphere: and how far they are actually concerned in cauſing earthquakes, time, and accurate obſervation muſt inform us.
9ly, Mr. Johnſon in both his letters to me, on the firſt and ſecond earthquakes, at Spalding, remarks particularly, of their effects being moſtly ſpread to the north and ſouth, and eſpecially felt on the ſea coaſt. We may obſerve, that ſuch is the direction of Spalding river, which both conducts, and ſtrengthens the electric vibration: conveying it along the ſea-ſhore thence, up to Boſton channel; and ſo up Boſton river to Lincoln, as we diſcern, by caſting our eye on a map.
We obſerve further, that the main of this ſecond earthquake diſplay’d its effects along, and between the two rivers, Welland and Avon: and that from their very origins, down to their fall into the ſea. It likewiſe reach’d the river Witham, which directed the electric ſtream that way too, to Lincoln. For which reaſon, as there meeting the fame coming from Boſton, the ſhock was moſt ſenſibly felt. It reach’d likewiſe to the Trent at Nottingham, which convey’d it to Newark.
The firſt electrical ſtroke ſeems to have been made on the high ground above Daventry, in Northamptonſhire; where the Roman camps are, made by P. Oſtorius the proprætor. From thence it deſcended chiefly eaſtward, and along the river Welland, from Harborough to Stamford, Spalding, the ſea: and along the river Avon, or Nen, to Northampton, Peterborough, Wiſbech to the ſea. It ſpread itſelf all over the vaſt level of the iſle of Ely; further’d by very many canals, and rivers, natural, and artificial, made for drainage. It was ſtill conducted eaſtward up Mildenhall river, in Suffolk, to Bury, and the parts adjacent. All this affair duly conſider’d, is a confirmation of the doctrine I advanc’d on this ſubject.
10ly, I apprehend, it was not the noiſe in the air, as of many cannon let off at once, preceding the earthquake, that ſo much affrighted people, or affected the ſheep, the rookery at Kenſington, the hen and chickens in Gray’s-inn-lane, the pigeons. It could not be barely the ſuperficial movement of the earth, that diſturb’d them all at once. I judge it to be the effect of electricity, ſomewhat like what cauſes ſea ſickneſs; ſuch a ſort of motion, as we are not accuſtomed to. So the earthquake affects all thoſe of weak nerves, or that have nervous complaints; obnoxious to hyſterics, colics, rheumatick pains in their joints; ſeveral women were ſeized with violent head-achs, before both the ſhocks we felt in London. It was this that gave the people a ſhortneſs of breath, Mr. Smith from Peterborough ſpeaks of a perſon that found himſelf very ſick upon it. This made the dog run whining about the room, ſeeking to get out: this made the fiſhes leap up in the pond at Southwark; like as the experiment of electrifying the fiſhes: it makes them ſick. And this cauſes the birds in cages to hide their heads under their wings, becauſe they cannot fly away. Which is commonly obſerv’d of them in Italy, and countriea, where earthquakes are more frequent.
11ly, I obſerve, the ſhepherd at Kenſington thought the motion of the earthquake, and the ſound, was from the north-weſt to ſouth-eaſt; the like Mr. W. Smith from Peterborough. On the contrary, Mr. Byfield the ſcarlet dyer in Southwark, thought the noiſe came from the river below bridge, and went toward Weſtminſter; where it rattled ſo, that he did not doubt, but that the abbey-church was beaten down.
Dr. Parſons took pains to find out the way of the motion of the earthquake, from the different poſition of people’s beds; but from the contradictory anſwers given, he cou’d not obtain any ſatisfaction, as to that point. All this, and what was obſerv’d from Northampton, of the motion being thought by ſome, to be upward and downward; by others rather horizontal, or lateral: the counting the pulſes, and the like, only points out to us the prodigious celerity, and the vibratory ſpecies of the motion of an earthquake. But far, very far is this from being owing to the tumultuous ebullition, the irregular hurry of ſubterraneous exploſions.
12ly, How the atmoſphere, and earth, are put into that electric and vibratory ſtate, which prepares them to give, or receive the ſnap, and the ſhock, which we call an earthquake; what it is, that immediately produces it, we cannot ſay: any more than we can define, what is the cauſe of magnetiſm, or of gravitation; or how muſcular motion is perform’d, or a thouſand other ſecrets in nature.
We ſeem to know, that the author of the world has diſſeminated ethereal fire, thro’ all matter, by which theſe great operations are brought about. This is the ſubtil fluid of Sir Iſaac Newton, pervading all things: the occult fire diffuſed thro’ the univerſe, according to Marſilius Ficinus the platonic philoſopher, on the Timeus of his maſter. All the Platoniſts inſiſt on an occult fire paſſing thro’, and agitating all ſubſtance, by its vigorous and expanſive motion.
Before them, Hippocrates writes in the ſame ſenſe, I. de victûs ratione, that this fire moves all in all. This ethereal fire is one of the four elements of the ancients. It lies latent, and diſperſed thro’ all the other three, and quieſcent; till collected into a quantity, that overbalances the circumjacent; like the air crouded into a tempeſt: or till it is excited, by any proper motion.
This fire gives elaſticity: and elaſticity or vibration is the mother of electricity. We don’t ſo much wonder at phoſphorus ariſing from animal ſubſtances; for this fire is in water, and betrays itſelf to our ſenſes, in ſalt water. Many a time when I have palled the Lincolnſhire waſhes, in the night time; the horſe has ſeem’d to tread in liquid flames. The ſame appearance is oft at the keel of a ſhip. Fire exiſts in water, ſays Pliny, as well as in human bodies. nat. hiſt. II. 107. Loaf ſugar beaten in the dark is luminous. Many vegetables, as indian cane, and rotten wood the like, as Bartholin largely recites, de luce bominum c. 4. All electric bodies have this privilege: that is, they more eaſily diſcover it. Amber, gum lac, naptha, bitumens, ſome precious ſtones. My old friend Mr. Stephen Gray the father and great propagator of electricity, ſhow’d me experiments therein, in the year 1705, then at Corpus Chriſti college in Cambridge. Afterward in the year 1719, he ſhow’d by experiments before the Royal Socicty, that paper, ribbands, ſilk, ſattin, cloth, ſhavings, linen, goldbeaters skin, and in ſhort, almoſt all kind of ſubſtances diſcover electrical ſparks of fire in the dark: eſpecially when well warm’d before the fire, or in a cold, dry, nitrous air, and in a room where there is no company. This ſame quality is found in vacuo, as Dr. Deſaguliers ſhow’d before the Royal Society, march 31, 1720. He took an exhauſted glaſs globe, and cauſed it to be turn’d round violently, in an engine: by rubbing the hand upon it, it was illuminated within ſide, with purple ſtreams. This gave foreigners the idea of uſing a glaſs globe, in electrical experiments.
The operation of the ethereal fire is various, nay, infinite, according to its quantity, and decree of incitement, progreſs, hindrance, or furtherance. One degree keeps water fluid, ſays the learned biſhop of Cloyne: another turns it into elaſtic air, and air itſelf ſeems nothing elſe, but vapors, and exhalations render’d elaſtic, by this fire.
This ſame fire permeates, and dwells in all bodies; even diamond, flint, and ſteel. Its particles attract with the greateſt force, when approximated. Again, when united, they fly aſunder, with the greateſt force, and celerity; it reſiſts nothing quieſcent, but when put into motion, it diſdains all reſiſtance. All this is according to the laws preſcrib’d by the ſovereign architevt. This is the life, and ſoul of action, and reaction, in the univerſe. Thus has the great author provided againſt the native ſluggiſhneſs of matter! light, or fire in animals, is what we call the animal ſpirits; and is the author of life, and motion. But we know not the immediate mode of muſcular motion; any more than how, in inanimate matter, it cauſes the vibrations of an earthquake.
Of this fire, the excellent Manilius thus writes, who liv’d in the time of Auguſtus.
Aſtronom. I.
Sunt autem cunctis permiſti partibus ignes;
Qui gravidas habitant fabricantes fulmina nubes:
Et penetrant terras, Ætnamq; imitantur Olympo:
Et calidas reddunt ipſis in fontibus unbdas.
As ſilice in duro, viridiq; in cortice ſedem
Inveniunt; cum ſilva ſibi colliſa crematur.
Ignibus uſq; adeo natura eſt omnis abundans!
Which may thus be engliſh’d.
Fire univerſal nature traverſes.
It makes the thunderbolt in tumid clouds:
In dire Vulcano’s penetrates the earth:
And ſends the boiling water from its ſprings.
In hardeſt flint, and ſofteſt wood it dwells:
Which by colliſion ſhows itſelf in flame.
With fire ſo pregnant is all nature found!
13ly, The great queſtion then with us, is how the ſurface of the earth is put into that vibratory and electric ſtate, by heat and drineſs? we muſt needs acquit the internal of the earth from the charge of theſe ſuperficial concuſſions. How then is the ethereal fire crouded together, or excited, ſo as to cauſe them; ſeeing in our ordinary electrical experiments, we make uſe of friction?
But that friction alone does not excite electricity, we know from the obvious experiment of flint and ſteel, where the ſuddenneſs of the ſtroke, and hardneſs of the matter does it. Another method of exciting it, is the letting off a number of great guns, which ſo crouds the ethereal fire together, as to electrify glaſs windows; obſerv’d by my friend the reverend Dr. Stephen Hales. The aurora borealis, auſtralis, all kind of coruſcations, meteors, lightning, thunder, fire-balls are the effects, and may reciprocally be the cauſe of electricity; but how in particular we know not. Come we to the animal world, we muſt needs aſſert, that all motion voluntary, involuntary, generation, even life itſelf: all the operations of the vegetable kingdom, and an infinity more of nature’s works, are owing to the activity of this electric fire, the very ſoul of the material world. And in my opinion, ’t is this alone, that ſolves the famous queſtion, ſo much agitated with the writers in medicin, about the heat of the blood. How theſe, how earthquakes are begun, propagated, we arc yet to ſeek.
We may readily enough preſume, that the contact between the electric, and the non-electric, which gives the ſnap, and the ſhock, muſt come from without, from the atmoſphere. Perhaps by ſome meteor that crouds the ethereal fire together: which then flies off with that immenſe force that cauſes the earthquake. In the point of contact on the earth’s ſurface, the ſame thing is done, perhaps, another time, by a ſhower of rain. Our thoughts upon this matter muſt needs be as immature, as they are novel. But we may readily conclude, that tho’ the original ſtroke comes from the atmoſphere, yet the atmoſphere has no further concern in it: no aereal power, or change therein, can propagate itſelf ſo inſtantaneouſly, over ſo vaſt a ſurface, as 4000 miles ſquare. Therefore the impetuous ruſhing noiſe in the air, accompanying the ſhock, is the effect, and not the cauſe. And all this is ſtrongly confirm’d by this obſervation, that the barometer and thermometer receiv’d no change upon the earthquakes.
But ſurely, there is not a heart of fleſh that is not affected with ſo ſtupendous a concuſlion! let a man eſtimate his own power, with that which cauſes an earthquake; and he will be perſuaded, that ſomewhat more than ordinary is intended by ſo rare and wonderful a motion. That great genius Hippocrates, makes the whole of the animal œconomy to be adminiſtred, by what we call nature. And nature alone, ſays he, ſuffices for all things, to animals: ſhe knows herſelf, and what is neceſſary for them. We muſt extend this thought to the inanimate world. And can we deny then, that he here means a conſcious and intelligent nature, that preſides over, and directs all things, moves the ethereal ſpirit or fire, that moves all things: a divine neceſſity, but a voluntary agent, who gives the commanding nod, to what we commonly call nature; the chief inſtrument in the moſt important operations of the vaſt machine, as well as in the ordinary ones, particularly the human one: adminiſtring the whole œconomy (as he ſays) without noiſe, unſeen, unfelt. And this leads us,
14ly, Laſtly, in regard to the ſpiritual uſe we ought to make of theſe extraordinary phœnomena, or of our inquiries about them, I ſhall firſt obſerve, that we find abroad, ſeveral of theſe earthquakes this year have been very fatal. In the laſt we read of, at Philippopoli in Thrace, the whole city was deſtroyed, above 4000 inhabitants killed. At home, where about half a ſcore ſeparate concuſſions have been felt, there has not been one houſe thrown down, one life loſt. This ought to inſpire us with a very ſerious reflection about them; nor is it altogether unworthy of our remark, that they began with us in London, in february laſt: and after viſiting the circle of the globe, at preſent, end with us.
2dly, We may observe, that if we did but read the works of Hippocrates, Plato and his followers; of Tully, Galen, and the like ethic writers of antiquity; whilst we study, and try the affections of matter; we should improve in philosophy, properly speaking: we should lift up our minds from these earthly wonders, and discern the celestial admonitions, they present to us.
The original meaning of the word philosophy, was rightly apply'd to moral wisdom. We who have advanc'd both the natural, and moral, should, as the ancients did, join them both together. By this means, we gather, the truth of the highest, and most excellent philosophy, to be found in those volumes of first antiquity, which we call sacred: and which, 't is our peculiar, and inestimable happiness to possess. We should adore that divine light, which they hold forth to us. Especially in a country, where the principles of true religion are open, and undisguised: where the establish'd profession of it is rational, noble and lovely: worthy of the moral governor of the world; fit for him to enjoin: for us to practise, with pleasure and effect.
november 7, 1750.
Read at the Royal Society, december 6.
FINIS.