The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-03 00:00:00

THE EARTHQUAKE IN PORTUGAL,

ST. ÜBES, Nov. 22.—0 n the 11th inst., at 7.36
a.m., I was suddenly aroused from my slumbers by
the sensation of a most violent shaking. I sat up,
but was so terribly frightened that I could not
leave my bed, whilst it seemed as if every moment
the walls and ceiling must have fallen on me. Books,
crockery, and in fact all that was not positively
fixed in the house, came down in quick succession.
It lasted from ten to fifteen seconds, but the
sensation I experienced was most unpleasant.
I first felt jerked backwards and forwards, then
sidesways, and finally had a good up and down
shaking—it then ceased, and all was quiet; but
alas, the shrieks which now reached me from the
distance told me the lamentable tale, On looking
out a most melancholy spectacle presented itself
before me. The whole of that part of the town
known as Bairro do Traino, was a complete mass
of ruins. Walls and roofs were falling in all direc-
tions, threatening those who fortunately had been
spared with a living tomb.
A continued stream of terror stricken human
beings hurried forth into the square through every
opening, and now the accuc -was really impressing
and solemn. Men, women, and children knelt and
joined in one common prayer of gratitude to the
Almighty for their miraculous deliverance. This
holy thought filling their minds protected the usual
feeling of natural modesty which exists betweon
sexes towards each other—for alas, there were many
whose only garments consisted of a night dress.
There we stood in dread of a repetition, so ima-
gine our great terror when at 10.25 a.m. we again
experienced another shock, which lasted six seconds.
Oh, it was frightful to behold the dreadful destruc-
tion of property which this caused ; I shudder to
think of it.

A great number of men are even now employed,
chiefly under the able direction of our indefatigable
townsman and official, Mr. Severino and Jose da
Roza, junior, who since the lamentable visitation
has never ceased night or day to devote all his
energetical exertions in alleviating the sufferings
of his fellow-creatures, personally directing the
workmen engaged in extricating the unfortunate
victims from amongst the ruins, procuring shelter
for the unhoused, and finally, not content with the
liberal use of his own purse, begging from his
neighbours, and distributing alms to the needy.
Such a noble example as this I am happy to say
has met with many folloWers. A temporary econo-
mical soup kitchen has been established under the
superintendence of Messrs. J. E. Carvalho, Novaes,
Perdigao, Nasimento, Don Manito, F. Coelho, Lima,
and others. At least I,ooo,families have been shel-
tered in boats at the Praia (shore), and many houses
although comparatively in ruins, afford refuge to
two and three families. Troino and Queimada,
Herdade and Outeiro streets are entirely deserted,
and present a painful and sorrowful spectacle.
Mr. Chas. Galloway has displayed great gene-
rosity by throwing open his cork stores to •shelter
the unhoused, and it is said providing them with
food. The town-hall, the market plate, convents
of St. Domingo and Carmo, as well as other ware-
houses have also been thrown open to the poor.
On the 17th the image of the Senhor Jesus de
Bonfin (patron saint) was taken out in solemn pro..
cession, thousands of devotees joining the same.
Fortunately Lisbon has escaped without much
damage, but the towns of Alcacer, Grandola, and
Sines have suffered terribly. The number of vic-
tims, very numerous, has not as yet . been ascer-
tained, and it is heartrending to hear the laments
of those who, through the mercy of God, have been
spared, but have lost all their friends and all their
property. The Lord have mercy on us in the midst
of this scene of desolation and misery, for it requires
a stout heart to face it.

M. Pierre Jean de Kock, a brother of the cde-
biated novelist, Paul de Kock, has just died• The deceased
was a colonel of the Imperial Guard of the first empire, an
officer of the Legion of Honour, and a chevalier of the order
of St. Louis. One of his brothers was formerly Minister of
War in Holland. The many English readers of the light
writings of Paul de Kock will perhaps be surpriseditorearn
hat he belonged to so distinguished a family.l
PALACE OF THE PEOPLE, MUSWELL-HILL.---A.
deputation had an interview by appointment yesterday with
Lord Brougham, at his house. Grafton-street, to explain
to him the educational features of the proposed Palace of the
People On Muswell-hill. His lordship entered fully into
the subject, expressed himself highly satisfied with the
contemplated arrangements, and agreed to accept the office
of president of the proposed council of education in con-
nection with the institution. The deputation consisted of
Sir Charles Fox, the Rev. Dr. Booth, F.R.S., Mr. Owen
Jones, Mr. Hughes, Mr. C. Ratcliff, of Birmingham, Mr.
H. Masterman, Mr. Chamerovzow, Mr. Scott, F.H.S., Mr.
Bell, and Mr. Stevens. The Right the Lord Mayor, Alder-
man Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., Mr. Alderman Wilson,
and other gentlemen were prevented attending the deputa-
tion by special business.
GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION. Her Majesty's
Emigration Commissioners chartered yesterday afternoon,
the 2d inst., the Sapphire 749 tons, to sail from Liverpool
for Sydney, New South iVales, at £l4 9s. 3d. per statute
adult, to he ready for the reception of passengers on such
day as the Commissioners may appoint between the 7th
and 14th of January. They have also given notice of their
intention to receive tenders next Thursday, the 9th inst.,
for a ship to proceed to Sydney, to be ready to sail any day
the Commissioners may fix upon between the 14th and 21st
of January.
PERSIA.--The Ojicial Gazette of Teheran, from
which city we have advices to the 14th of October, publishes
an account of the reception givento the new Belgian
chargeTi r
d'affitires and the persons attached to his mission.
arrival in the city was attended with all the formalities_
observed to foreign diplomatists, and followed by the usual
visits from the ministers. On the following day the
Shah
gave the charge d'affaires a reception in dueform, when.th e
latter presented his credentials.
THE SUEZ CANAL.—The subjoined is a corn
munication stating that the subscription lists for the Suez
Sir,—The subscription lists
Canal have been completed
for the project of the Suez Canal being closed on Nov. 30,
I am now able to convoy to you the intelligence that the
amounts subscribed exceed the required sum, and that the
formation of the company will be proceeded with.—l have
the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, DA.Nizi, As
LANGE) Suez Calla-office, London, Dee, 2,"