Page:Awful phenomena of nature -- earthquakes.pdf/10

10 I could not learn that this terrible fire was owing to any subterraneous eruption. The first of November being All Saints day, every altar in every church and (some of which have more than twenty was illuminated with a number of wax tapers and lamps; which setting fire to the curtains and timber work that fell with the shock, the conflagration soon spread to the neighbouring houses.  The fire, in consequence destroyed the whole city, at least every thing that was grand or valuable.

The number of persons that perished, including those who were burnt or were afterwards crushed to death whilst digging in the ruins, is supposed on the lowest calculation to have amounted to more than sixty thousand. This extensive and opulent city was nothing but a vast heap ruins; the rich and poor were all upon a level, and some thousands of families,  but the day before, had been easy in their circumstances, were scattered in the fields wanting every convenience, and finding none able to relieve them.