The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-10 00:00:00

'YE EA,

The New York A'ational Gazette, of May 10, contains
the subjoined copy of a letter from the American Consul at
Algiers to P. S. Dnponceau, Esq. of Philadelphia, giving
the melancholy intelligence of the destruction of the town
of Belida, near Algiers, and of the loss of 10,000 human
beings, by an earthquake.
ALOILRa, MARCH 4. 1825.
Dear Sir,—This country having suffered an awful visitation, f
here send you for your information an extract of the Journal of this
Consulate relative to it.
M ARCH 2.—This morning, at half-past nine, a very violent shock
of earthquake was felt. The movement was from east to west, la-
tently quick and jarring, with a noise resembling that made by a
number of waggons driven rapidly over paved ways. The atom.
sphere was perfectly serene, the wind strong fron the interior, the
thermometer at 58 deg. and the barometer falling, though but very
slightly affected. The first shock endured about 20 seconds; at
MAO succeeded bT two others, at a distance of time of 10 and 20 mi.
notes, but less violent.
:11ancu 3.—Reports were received last night by the Government
that the town of Belida had been destroyed by the earthquake of
yesterday ; that a mosque, two coffee-houses, and five dwelling..
houses, are the only buildings standing in that town ; and that
almost the whole of its population has perished. The Aga, with
a detachment of cavalry, left the city at three o'clock this morning,
to ascertain the truth of this report, and relieve the sufferers.
Belida is a town situated at the foot of the mountains on the south.
ern verge of the beautiful plain of Aletijah ; it is reported to have
contained about 10,000 inhabitants, and t enjoyed a great degree
' of agricultural prosperity, it being only twenty.eight miles distant
from this city, efhich it supplied with fruit and vegetable*. During
the day the news of the disaster at Belida is confirmed by successive
reports. A caravan, with tents and every thing in the power of
this city to furnish, has been despatched by the Government foe
the relief of the Parents. Several shocks of earthquake were felt
during the day, and at 23 minutes Past nine In the evening one
very revere.
MARCH 4.—The barometer was found, this • is:mining, to have
risen three lines during the last night, and the sbdcki of earthquake
have *eased entirely. One of the principal sources of. the prosperity
of Belida was its numerous springs—abundance of viNtet circulated
freely through all its streets, and eatersive plantStioits. It is now
reported that about half an hour before this terrible catastrophe, all
the water suddenly disappeared, and that now-thertls none to be
found withi.. the distance of half a league. AU suboquent reports
' lead to the belief that the first was not run erased:
P. S.—l remarked that during the period of earthquake above.
mentioned, the sea did not appear to be in the least affected, being
as quiet as usual here during the same weather.
Belida. I think, is situated about south from Algiers.
The Beshaw, as a proof of his gratitude to Allah to not destroy.
in this city also, set At liberty about 3.',0 Kabylee, Who were de.
ruined here in chains on account of political disputes with their
tribes.