Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 Vol 2.djvu/251

190 room, and obtained entrance, then removing a heap of stones in the adjoining room, dragged out safely her mother, three sisters, and a little brother. The father and elder brother were fortunately absent. They are still more fortunate to possess such heroic relatives. The deaths in this unfortunate city, which recalls to us the ancient Grumentum, amount to 2,500. Many rare and precious relics of antiquity possessed by private individuals were lost In Carbone a very slight noise, heard only by a few, was the precursor of the fatal event; an electric illumination followed, with frequent explosions, and occasional flashes of lightning. The shocks were vertical, undulating, and rotatory. Other minor phenomena similar to those we have already mentioned were observed. New springs of water burst forth, and the estimable Signor D. Francesco Paolo Castronuovo, who has kindly given me much information, adds that the subsequent shocks invariably corresponded with the lunar phases and changes. On the evening of the 5th January a band of fire redder and brighter than lighted coals, appeared in the south-west.

Dr. D. Gaetano Arcieri di Latronico, a man distinguished for learning and talent, favoured me with observations worthy of his genius and diligence, and proportionate to the friendship with which he honours me, and I am grieved to say, that owing to urgent haste, I have scarcely time to put a few of them together for the press. He made several meteorological observations with the barometer and thermometer after the earthquake. He found the magnetic needle irregularly attracted, but was unable to observe electrical phenomena from the want of apparatus. He alludes to facts similar to those we have already detailed; viz., noises, falling stars, increase of water, especially at Sinni; increased heat of thermal springs, sulphureous smells, fissures, trees knocking together, stones rolled from the peak of Seluci, crevices, dense fog for several days, which did not affect Saussure's hygrometer, and must be considered a dry mist. On the 17th, an aëriform smoke was exhaled from a fissure in the rock Berga, warm to the touch, and smelling of sulphuric acid gas. This has disappeared. The bells in Latronico were set in motion by the convulsions of that fatal night, and the sacred bronze, which should inspire sweet