Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857.djvu/267



So much interest attaches to precise observations, as to permanent change of level of the land, occurring at the same time with earthquakes; and this object having been urged upon my attention, by my friend Sir Charles Lyell, before I left England; I therefore gave the question of whether any such change had attended this earthquake very careful investigation, and I may say, have examined, as to it, the whole coast at various points, from north of Pozzuoli to Pæstum. I found the almost universal opinion at Naples was, that an elevation of some inches around the whole bay, varying at different points, had taken place, and the circumstantiality, with which intelligent persons residing upon the shore, pointed to apparent proofs of their impression, demanded much caution. Professors Capocci and Scacchi, with Signor Guiscardi, doubted the existence of any change of level, but could give no facts either way. All the evidence presented to me, was based upon references to assumed changes of tidal level.

The English lady at St. Lucia, before referred to, pointed