The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-08 00:00:00

TIM BARTIIQUAK E.

Among the scores of lettnra• which have been
received Nom yesterday, relative to the earthquake, are the
following; the first from Yr. Charles Dictums, and the
second frost Yr. E. J. Lowe :
" Sir,—As you may think any •eemr•ts observation of
the shock of earthquake which was felt ie various parts of
Foglaud last Tuesday worth PubliohißlL a send you
mine. I was awakened by a violent swaying of my
bedstead from side to aide, accompanied by a singular
heaving motion. It was exactly as if some great
beast had been crouching asleep under the bedstead
and were now shaking itself and trying to rise. The time
by my watch was 20 mieutes past 3, and I suppose the
shock to have lasted nearly a minute. The bedstead, •
large iron one. standing nearly north and south, ap-
peared to me to be the only piece of furniture in the
room that wan basely shaken. Neither the doors nor
the windows rattled, though they rattle enough in
windy weather, thin Louse steadies alone, on high
stoned, is the neighbourhood of two great rivers.
There win no noise. The air was vary still, and much
warmer than it had been in the earlier part of the night.
Although the previous afternoon had been wet, the glass
had not fallen. I had mentioned my surprise at itsstarding
near the letter ' i ' in ' Fair,' and having a tendency to rise.
It is recorded in the second volume of the Philosophical
Tranmetions ' that the glass stood high at Oxford when an
earthquake was felt there in September, 1683.—Your faith-
ful servant, "CHARLES DICKENd...

•' Fligham by Rochester, Kent, Oct. 7."
"Sir,--t smart shock of an earthquake wan felt here this
morning at 3.30. Many persons awoke from the shaking of
their beds and wirclowe. At the time the sky was cloud-
ier, the wind west, barometer stationery, and the tempera.
rue 31 deg. The motion of the earthquake pendulum at
t►is Observator► was from W.N.W. to E.S.E., and the dis-
placement of chalk by the 30-feet rod wan bait an inch, the
index needle moving the chalk ao as to leave an oval, or
rather a lengthened-oval hole. There must have been at
last two shocks, as numerous letters clew:ribs the time as
both 2.35 ►m. and 3.30 a.m. ; that the latter wee the time
of a severe lateral shock is certain, as the zero pencils on
my atmospheric recorder marked the paper in a remarkable
manner at that hoar. Information as to the extent of the
ark is desirable, as in all probability the earthquake of
this morning wee of a severe naturri.-1 have the honour to
be, nir, your obedient *avant, "E. J. Lowe.
"Observatory, Beaton, Oct. 6."
We subjoin roomer umpired from a number of provincial
towns :

Mitioerc.—Ou Tuesday, the 6th inst., • very se-
vase shock of earthquake was felt in the town of Brame
and its vicinity. Is occurred at 12 to 18 minutes after
3 °Weak, an hoar when is a coustry town few parsons
were awake, bat there were but few, indeed, who were
not eluded from their slumbers. Mort pumas describe
their lest sensations as feeling • kind of violent rocking
motion in their beds, accompanied by a loud rambling noise,
as if Mimeos* emigres were peeing over the paved 'tree'
This wand ms heard by several persona twice at distinct
Worm& of some •two or three seconds of time, sad some
say that they hosed it • third time, but this is doiihtfuL
The vibration of walls, floors, and windows con-
tinued for a few seconds, creating of course greet
alarm to the inmates. In some houses the bells rang—in
Misses articles of crockery and glair rattled against each
Mher—while window-blinds dapped and continued to vibrate
fee SOON time. The general impression at first appeared to
be that some Mei& explosion had occurred in the neigh-
bourhood, but the gradual pusiog away of the rumbling
noise in the distance speedily corrected this opinion. We
hive not heard of any actual damage aocasioued, but we
imrsi that the aback wee felt with quite as much intensity
ed Merthyr Tydfil, a distance of Miaow miles from Brecon.
♦s far as can yet be ascertained, the comae of the shock wee
Lem west to sash

BILIDGIVATZR. —A good deal of excitement and
more eariceitr were waned in the town during Tunday, in
eorrequesos of the Auk of an earthquake hulas been felt
ea the preceding sight. It in reported by SOON to have ise- I
coned at three o'clock, while others say it eau half-put. It
was felt pried,* in Ferdoverou far as the town is eon-
coned, while at Dula it is said to have been sore
severe than in the tune Mr. NUMMI. is Iteriever, was
so alarmed by the noise and dark that he got up, sad it is
said that the airing of a nova in hie hew was aneked.
Mr. Smith, of York Hones, ria the Quay, was awoke by
the noise, and his idea was that the foundation of some
new houses, which he is erect* ekes to the us fa whisk
he lives, had given way. Mr. Palmer, of Forostreet, was
staying up, watching by the Wide of a friend—Mr. Pau,
Wier, in Chosi►etsss{-+ad was shamed at feeling the

easy chair in which he was sitting toll to and fro ; some
gins on dieted* jiggled, and the jug in the wash-band
basin vibrated poreeplibly. A eloweSdoes in the same roow,
which was unfastened, was thrown open. The vibration
was so Mamie; at Denbell that the entire family of Mr.
Barham got up, and remained up the rest of the night
femons residing at North. Petherton and Wambion also
speak of the shock, which is said to have lasted • mien*
A imas, aback was felt about 20 years ago, and it was then
Jmore notiosable in Eastover than in the other parts of the
tows.

BRISTOL—IL gentleman residing at Montpelier
ems :—'• I wee awake at that time by the rattling of mess
moms that were lying in the window of my bedroom. I
marched the room to ascertain If a at had been the dis-
turber, hut there was nothing whatever to account for the
Mae. I should have thought no more of the occurrence,
bat nostiog • gentleman from Tewksbury on Weiner.
stheseet the first question he asked me ‘llll, Did you hear
any oohs in your home last night? He them told me that
who he raided. at Tewkesbury, his hones so shook at that
hoar that hie whole family were awoke by the appareat
rocking of the beds, end some of the family walked their
reams for homy ; others protheses who come in the train
with soy Mead also felt the some at Stroud ; aced he
believes it was • slight shook of an earthquake.
ebroild like to know if say one in she neigh-
bourhood of Bristol perceived anything of the kind."
The shock was felt at Cotham, and • gentleman residing in
that neighbourhood writes :—" About 3.25 this morning I
was awoke by • mind is my bedroom which was very un-
usnal—viz., the gime on a water bottle rattling against the
aides of the bottle, sod th4sling there was some one in the
room, I Waned. The ' jingling' increased, and a door
maker] as it seem one had pinked it open. I felt con-
vinced some one was moving about, and histsetly turned up
• night lamp. The monde coatimeed for about a minute,
and appeared to be mused by everything being put off ire
balance. Two moose in my family heard similar
sad one of them morested that there mot have been an
earthquake. I alsoold like to knees if any of your readers
felt my shock, eir VIM awoke at the time named."

Baia:must —People in various parts of this
town were rased from sleep abort half-past three °Week,
by the violent shakieg of their beds ender them ; the
doom mid wisdoms also were jerked and shaken. This,
which luted shoat two minutes, was aocompuied by •
loud hollow mud, u of a gale of wind. One pestle-
rasa, in Beeretreet, was so alarmed by the rattling of
utensils in his house that he got up, thinking that rob-
bers were in the house. Another person also got up and
searched her mom, having been roused by the tinkling
and rattling of the earthenware. The noise was also heard
at tato., Branntoo, and other surrounding villages. Some
persons assert that there was a like commotion about halt-
put teu the previous night, although not so loud.

CLIPION. —The shock wait felt extenoively at
Clifton and Radiant Neer Victoria-equare a gentleman
who practises mediciee was awoke by it, end, looking at his
illumieatod clock, be found the time 3.20. A resident in
flowlerisad.place, near the Victoria Rooms, said his bed was
shaken and his windows made a noise ; and he looked at
his watch and Maimed the time was 3.2.3 ; sod he adds
that, about ten years ago, he bad • entailer experience.
Another reports that the washstand is a bedroom shook
violently. The resiagets at Redland Court Ora similar
testimony, and add that the servants got up, under the
impression that thieves were in the boom. A
well-known citizen residing in White Ladies'-rod,
near the Victoria Rooms, was awoke by the rattling of
jug. in the washstaad basins of hie chamber, and getting
somewhat alarmed he immediately went to another story
of the house to inquire if anybody bed been knocking or
shelling the place, but finding that sass of the Maass
were aimed be was sot without BOON suspicion aa to the
psesibility of them being burglars is the house, and as •
pmemseiss lemossed the key of his bedroom door from the
outside to tie inside, and to guard against the possibility of
the weeistand Were not Wog le the right position be
aueed dig* the position of the pop. is order
It. nee his writ words) " to steady them."—lfr. W-
C.
Border, P.R.A.8., of Clifton, writes as follows :
"There nos he no doubt that as alarming earthquake wee
felt hers this messing. linfortemstsly, I am cot able teas.

cord any observations of my own, as 1 haptened to be fait
asleep at the time when it occurred. The evidence from
various sources is too strong, hoverer, to resist. I will
give one or two facts which may be trusted. The first is
the account of a resident in Belle Vue, Clifton, who kindly
called on me just now to relate what he felt. This wittier
says that at about 3.25 cm. he was startled while in bed
by a violent undulating movement, ending in still more
violent trembling. The sensation he describes as most
alarming and quite unmistakable as to its being an earth-
quake. Corroborative evidence was instantly at hand, as
the door of the bedroom shortly afterwards opened, and the
entrance of soother member of the family in the utmost
alarm, to ask what was the cause of the sudden sensation
which had been experienced, confirmed the first observei's
testimony, which was again very soon made still
stronger by the evidence of a third individual under
the mine roof. These there individuals experienced so
great • shock, lam assured by my informant, that up to
the hour of two p.m. the health of each bad sustained •
temporary blow, depriving of appetite, ire. Another fact
is that several members of a family on St. Mitihears.bil
were so much alarmed by something (they could not tell
what) which occurred in the night, as to have received
what may be called • most decided shock.' I bare
heard of other cases, but I have no doubt that
you will receive abundance of confirmatory evidence. The
meteorology of the day has been nothing remarkable.
Monday night was the coldest as yet this season, sad there
was • decided frost in pluses. The day hes been floe,
with slight bat electrical cunicli, and very moderate
easterly breezes. The minimum temperature here in air
on Monday night was 33.8, and the maximum yesterday
53.4. The air has been bat slightly charged with ozone."
Mr. Batton, confectioner, of Unioo.skrest, felt the shock,
sad has forwarded to us the following particulars :
" About three o'clock this (Tuesday) morning my home
at 21, Union-street, received such a violent shock that it
completely moved to and fro, and nearly threw me out of
bed. Of course I was very much alarmed, and at break-
fast I mentioned the circumstance to my oltiklren, who
.said I must have been dreaming. Since then a gentleman
' called on me from Ashley-bill, who experienced the same
sort of thing, and actually sprang his rattle, thinking
thieves had entered by some means. Sorely this muss
be an earthquake. The reason I felt the shook so severe
is that my house stands by itself. I have no doubt you
will hear from other' the same. Can it be explained in

hay way ? "

- -
CLINEDON. —Early on Tuesday morning, about
130, a shock of earthquake is reported to have beast expo.
rienced here and at Portishead. Several parties date that
they were shaken in their beds, and the effecta produced
seemed to pass from east to west It was felt priecipally
is the vicinity of the Lower Village, Strod►read, ho., while
it was particularly felt near our railway station. There
can be so doubt of the correctnem of the above, though
uothiag of the sort is ever remembered to have transpired
here before.

Exrrsa.—At Exeter it is described u having
occurred at about half-past 4 o'clock, sod the house. is

Salutary-place and Belomat-cottages were so much shaken
that mmral of the inhabitants who were awoke by the
shock were unable to deep afterward.. From Exmouth our
correspondent gives the time se a quarter to 4, sad observes
that a large number of pawns were roared from sleep, beds
were violently shakes. doom rattled, and mush consterna.
lion was felt. This was observed generally throughout the
town. He adds, that feat previously a alight rumbling noise
was heard.

G 1.0 CCESTY.R. —Some alarm has been occasioned
among the inhabitaats of this city and district, and, so far
as we hare been abie to ascertain, of many miles round, by
the shock of aa earthquake, which occurred about 25 mi-
nutes put three O'clock on Tuesday morning. The night
was beautifully bright, fibs, and still, and the whole of the
northern sky win sassed with a soft, rosy-tinted aurora.
Suddenly an intersaitteet subterranean noise was heard, ac-
companied by a violent oscillation of houses, apparently
north and south. Bede were shaken so violeatly that
we imagine ihet• were '.but few persons ia this city or
immediate neighbourhood who were not awoke sod alarmed.
Balls were rung, and persons, becoming frightened,
thinking burglars were attempting to break into the".
hums% flung opals their windows and raked aa alum.
Wears informed that the surface of the water in the belie
of the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal was disturbed, sad
the disturbance wee seen by the officers on duty ; also that
at Hrs. Smith's, in Brunswick-square, a bird-age was
thrown off a hook ; and we have heard from oorrespeedents
at Whaddes‘ Ilineterworth, &c., similar reports—ell speak-
ing of the shaking of beds, rattling of furniture, hc. Reports
naturally vary as to the duration of the shocks, the time
being variously estimated at from 20 seconds to a minute
and a half or two minutes. We hear that the shock was
felt with great severity at Cheltenham and in Herefordshire,
sod that at Fawley, in the latter county, two house fell.
It is shoat tea yeas Niece a similar visitation was felt in
this locality, bat the violence of the concussion was then not
nearly so great.

HEREPORD.—This morning at 3.21 a.m., Green-
wich mom time, or vary nearly so, a wart shock of an
earthquake was felt in this neighbourhood. Its duration,
as far as I could judge, was about eight moods ; some per-
son say more. The effort was that of a vary heavy.sad long
train rushing furiously through a station, but the jean shock
experienced was greater than any T ever felt produced by a
train. The bed oe which I lay was violently shaken, sad
the iron bars dike shutters of the room (the shutters being
eked but sot barred) rattled loudly against the shutters
sad I found that it required a considerable amount of slaking
with the hand to effect this. The sound at first increased
rapidly with a gradual rremando for two or three wands,
until the mash was felt (which lasted for about one
second and a half, and consisted of two ecumenism"),
and thee =shaded as gradually for some seconds more, mail
it died away In the distance. It appeared to me to egad
the loudest peal of thunder I ever beard, but it was false
and deeper and grander than thunder. In about three
minutes afterwards a second feet rumble was heard. The
night was beautifully still and clear, and not a sound was
heard from any animal either before or after. The &motion
of the wave of concussion appeared so be from a little W.
of S. to E. of N.— I am, Sir, your obedient smoset, HURT
Morro KR. Skelton Rsoiory, Hereford, Oct. 6.—About
half-past 2 o'clock this morning (as user as I ean gum) we
were aroused from our slumbers by the smart shoe of an
earthquake, preceded by loud rambling noises, which WM.
tinned for several minutes. The house rocked stesiffy Wand
fro, and then settled itself with a violent amain. TIN
haaros, voloanio-like groaning' echoed back from the moms•
tains ore the opposite side of the valley like the peals le
departing thunder, and thou 2'l was still.—l am, sir, your
obedient eat Mt, EDWARD C. Dra..m.—Clifford, Hereford-
shire, Mt. 6.

KIDDERMIN9TE7..—On Tuesday the principal topic
of convereaties hose was the earthquake which had hem
felt during the eight. Every one appeared to have had per-
sonal evidoece of the shock, or else to have been confer-
ring with three who had. In one or two inetances bell,
are said to bavebeen rung by the vibrations of the ground,
mid by the rattling of the windows and crockery ware, or
I. other ways, many wefts were aroused from sleep.
The police on eight ditty were of course sensible of the
shock, and the following report is made by one of them "
Oct. 6th, 3.25 a.m. Two shocks of earthquake felt,
shaking the whole of the buildings is Mill-street
and other parts of the town; Mrs. James Humphreys
telling the police, thinking thieves were in the honer.
baronet beech and police-constables Pram and Ed-
wards in &neediest,. Nearly all the petheaseo in Mill got
up, to know what was the cause of the noise." Some men
who were taking down a circus which had been in the town
the previous day, on hearing the noise which accompanied
the shock, thought an accident had occurred on the railway,
and ran up to the station expecting to find mob was the
case. There was, in point of fact, two shocks, but there
I was uo interval between them. the clue immediately me-
i media; the other. The shocks wen also felt at Stomped
land Bewdley. Some one from the latter place states that
the rumbling which accompanied the shock was like thunder
in the interior of the earth.
Lsomisnr.a..—Ou Tuesday morning the lubli-
bitants of Leominster and surrounding neighbourhood were
aroused by a severe shock of earthquake. The shock,
which lasted about four seconds, was accompanied by a
ramldieg noise resembling distant thunder, or the wens
of • heavy railway Iran over a wooden bridge. The beim
motioned several seconds. Some notion of the alarm waded
he the minds of the inhabitants of Cormisquare and its Med-
aity may be formed when we state that the clattering of the
doors and abutters in that locality could be heard nearly 100
yards off. Higher up the town a man ran into the street
la • Mite of Angel nudity, ender the impression that the
house was fun*. The dogs ahared in the general far.
huddling together in the street and commencing a dismal
howl. In the parishes round Leominster peat musty wee
Mt by the agrieelterel population, may of them faissith•