Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857.djvu/261

Rh ceased, and after an interval that seemed but a few seconds was renewed with greater violence, and, he thought, with a distinctly undulatory movement, "like that in the cabin of a small vessel in a very short chopping sea." It was sufficient to demand a certain amount of attention and effort, on the part of those standing up, to maintain their equilibrium.

Signor Guiscardi, a highly intelligent observer, educated as an architect and civil engineer, and well acquainted with physical science generally, had just retired to bed, when his attention was aroused by the first movement, which he describes by a little diagram, as simply a short sharp, jerking movement forward and back, thus:—



within narrow limits, and lasting, as he supposes, about five to seven seconds; then a total pause of some seconds, and then the former movement recommenced with rather more violence, and in this sort of order—



an interval of almost complete rest occurring between two fits; this concluded the earthquake. He did not perceive any undulatory movement, nor any movement up and down,  and is certain, the movement (as not unfrequently asserted in Naples) did not commence with a movement up and down. The "pendules" in his rooms, having a general E. and W. plane of vibration, were stopped at 10$h$ 10' Naples time, but he cannot guarantee their accuracy as to time.

I was not enabled to gain any additional facts of importance, from conversation with Signor Capocci, ex-professor of astronomy, or with Signor Palmieri, professor Rh