Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857 Vol 2.djvu/278

Rh great plain which surrounds the town, whither all had fled on that disastrous night. In the Commune of Carbone twenty-one dead and seventeen wounded are reported, as well as serious injuries to the dwellings. Castelsano is almost levelled to the ground, and 400 persons have perished. Sarconi is almost as bad, except that there are but thirty dead. The buildings in Chirico Raparo are destroyed, and four dead are reported. Maratea is partly destroyed, but only one death ascertained. The other communes of the district of Lagonegro, which have sustained injuries to the buildings, particularly to the churches, and where no deaths are reported, are Maratea, Lauria, Castellucio, upper and lower, Rotunda, Vigianello, Sant' Arcangelo, Calvera, San Martino, Castronuovo, and Senise. We have as yet learned nothing of the other communes in the same district. With these sad details we have also received a report of the efforts made by the local authorities to alleviate, as far as possible, the effects of this shocking calamity. L'Intendente di Potenza, with a zeal, activity, and foresight deserving of every praise, although compelled to work in the midst of ruins, has made without delay all the arrangements which necessity requires, among which we must mention the establishment of a central commission at head quarters, and other commissions in the various suffering districts to provide for every need. The first of these commissions consists of the Intendant himself, the bishop, &c. &c.

A similar commission has been appointed by the Intendant in the uninjured districts, to collect such offerings as the humanity of the well-disposed and generous will supply for the relief of the sufferers in this calamity. These offerings will be promptly and prudently used for the construction of temporary shelter for the wounded, the demolition of tottering buildings, the clearance of the streets, &c. And the sub-commissions are enjoined (if necessary) to have recourse to the central commission for supplies, and to pay and support their operatives.

The mind recoils from the enumeration of the calamities which now move all hearts; and we the more abhor our task as the new reports exceed beyond measure those already received. We