Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 Vol 2.djvu/237



obliged, by reason of my office, to write as accurate an account of the earthquake which recently convulsed the kingdom of Naples, and occasioned such ruin and mourning in unhappy Basilicata, as my ability and circumstances would allow, in order that civil history and natural science should possess the elementary facts, I see how difficult it is, to treat this subject in such a manner as shall present useful instruction to future ages, and throw some degree of light on the system of modern physics. Yet in the hope that some of the things I have to narrate may become a germ of foresight and humanity, or a caution for the future, I shall endeavour to describe the terrible and memorable event, the very thought of which, affects every fibre of my heart and renews my terror.

The whole subject may be regarded under two heads. The first is a simple narration of facts, which every one has been more or less able to observe for himself, or of which he has heard from