The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-31 00:00:00

THE EARTHQUAKES AT ST. 7IIOMAS.

The West Indian newspapers received by the pre-
sent mail contain some interesting particulars in
relation to the terrible earthquakes that recently
devastated the Island of St. Thomas when the de-
structive hurricane had ceased. After the tidal
wave and the earthquakes had destroyed the town,
for about five days bread was very dear, the loz.
loaf selling for 25 cents. The Government was com-
pelled to take decisive steps so that selfish traders
might not, by the imposition of heavy charges
for articles of daily consumption, add unduly to
the severe distress of the community. Finding
several stores had been closed and the merchants
refused to do business, probably with the intention
of running prices up to an exorbitant figure, the
chief authorities ordered out a detachment of
100 soldiers, and in due order opened the closed
buildings, took away to the court-house such
necessaries as the inhabitants needed, and had
them sold there under proper supervision. Rob-
beries were of daily occurrence in the town,
and thieves were caught stripping copper
from the wrecked vessels. On one occasion at
night some scoundrels got up a sudden alarming
cry, " The sea roller is coming !" Numbers of the
inhabitants rushed wildly from their shelter, calling
for mercy in the agony of fright. The authors of
the alarm thereupon went into the vacant dwel-
lings and plundered everything they could find.
The packet ships were obliged to anchor
off the town on account of the difficulty
of navigating the harbour because of the
great number of wrecks there. In many places
were to be seen masts and other ships gear
above water, while all along the beach lay wrecks
and portions of vessels. Every lighter in the har-
bour, as also every wharf round it, had gone to
pieces. The damage done by the earthquakes was
estimated at £30,000—quite as great as that wrought
by the hurricane. A ship of large tonnage, wrecked,
was sold for pc A 64-pounder gun was blown from
the fort on which it was mounted, and, making a
circle, carried away the mast of a vessel anchored
some distance from the spot. The number of
lives lost by the hurricane and earthquakes toge-
ther is put down at 700—at least so many corpses
have been interred. A number of dead bodies in
the last stage of putrefaction were gathered from
the harbour. So great was the consternation that
many persons had left in droghers for the Leeward
Islands. No intelligence whatever had been received
from the other islands. Business in St. Thomas was
almost suspended. Provisions, however, were no
longer very scarce.

NEW Music.—Another issue of new music, both
vocal and instrumental, has just been made by
Messrs. IL Cocks and Co., of Now Burlington-street, which
will be particularly acceptable at this festive time of year.
Amongst the new ballads we must specially mention—
" Sunshine," by Miss Montmorency; " Far Away," by
Miss Lindsey ; and "My Mother's Name," by the prolific
song writer Mr. Wrighton, which will certainly secure many
admirers, as they are very graceful melodies, and, at the same
time, very nicely arranged. Amongst the new instrumental
music we have the " Brighton Quadrilles," by Liebich,
" Highland Home," by Lemoine, both being highly effec-
tive, and particularly lively. There are also two admir-
able fantasies—" Home they brought her Warrior Dead,"
by Kuhe, and "The Gipsy Countess," by Rockstro, of
more than ordinary brilliancy. The new addition to the
music for the pianoforte is particularly well-timed. It will
prove a valuable addition to the repertoire of every instru-
mentalist possessing judgment and good taste, and will
at the same time form a very acceptable New Year's
gift.

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