Page:The Philosophy of Earthquakes, Natural and Religious.djvu/39

 April, 1690, The Leeward-Islands, Montserat, Nevis, and Antigua: At Martinico, and the French islands, at St. Lucia, &c. a violent earthquake.

Dec. 8, 1703, An earthquake at Hull, a perfect calm.

1702, At Stroution, in Argyleshire, which extended all along the west coast of Great-Britain; but to no breadth on land.

Oct. 25, 1734, At Havant, in Sussex, considerable, the air perfectly calm.

But instances enough, to show what I aim'd at, that maritime places are most subject; which is a strong argument in favour of electricity; when both the solid of the earth, and the quantity of the water concur, to make the shock; exactly as in electrical experiments; when the bottle of water is held in the hand.

Thus when our mind is discharged of the prejudices of former notions, we discern, that every appearance favours the principle we go upon. That, agreeable to Mr. Flamsted, subterraneous explosions, could they pervade, and traverse the earth at pleasure, must at last burst, and disperse every thing in their way. Yet 'tis not possible for us to imagine, such a kind of vibration should follow, either by sea or land, as that we are treating of. But electricity compleatly answers it. This