The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-04-08
MISCELLANY.
From the National Gazette.

Extract of letter from Mr.. Benjamin Barker Agent
for the British and Foreign Bible Society, at Alep-
Gardssss Of Ibrahi near the Ruins of 4eppo august
%, 1922.
With heavy heart take mp my pen to
trace anew in my detected mind, the most dread
full of all events: The wounds of affection must
bleed afresh, when REGAL to my memory the
lamentations of father for their children, of
children for their fathers, Of husbands for their
wives, of wives for their husbands, running nak-
ed from place to place, i'm ploring the protection
! Of the Almighty or with their feeble hands try
ing, amidst the falling ruins, to extricate them
selves and their relations.
On the night Of the 18th Of August, about half
past nine o'clock, Aleppo, the third city in the
Ottoman umpire, built entirely Of stone, was, 10
the space ola few seconds, brought down to Its
foundations.
was at that time asleep on the terrace of my
particular friend Mr.. Maseyk, who by the help
Of the Almighty, was mercifully saved, with ali
his family.
About half an hour previous to the great shock,
a light one was felt when took the precaution
to draw my bed from under very high wall,
where it was placed. / was soon awakened by
the fall of THAT wall, on the very spot where my
bed stood. lsprang from nv couch, and, without
waiting to dress myself, fed into the house,
which found falling on all sides.
To remain in the house, or take TO fight
through the streets amidst falling houses, APP
peared to be equally dangerous.
recommended my soul to God, aud embraced
the latter resolution. Ia Oonsc4 aeD1>., desCen-
ded the back stairs of Mr.. Maseyk's house, BY
the Almightys guidance, for the great staircase
fell at the same time.
The darkness Of the night, and the clouds of
dust that covered the atmosphere, prevented me
from perceiving the stones and rubbish on the
stairs which had fallen from part of the house,
and consequently was precipitated into the
courtyard on dead body.
| How can eXpressmy feelings at that moment,
! ignorant on what body had fallen | was half
dead with fright and horror. / afterwards learnt
that it was faithful servant, who a second be-
fore had descended those stairs, when some
stones of an adjoining Turkish house fell on him,
and killed him.
quilted that melancholy spot, and like man
deprived Of his senses, ran amidst the falling
walls TO the gate Of the town. which is situated
az some distance from my friends house. 1t was
on my road, among Narrow Streets that | was
destined to witness the most horrible Of all scenes.
The lights Of the houses whose sides had fallen
exposed to my view men and women clinging to
the ruined walls of their houses, holding their
children in their trembling arms; manged bod
les lying under my feet; and piercing cries Of
half buried people assailing my ears Christians,
Jews, and Turks were imploring the Almighty's
mercy IN their respective tongues, who min
ute before did not perhaps acknowledge him.
| After great deal of trouble and fatigue, run
ming among the ruins, | arrived exhausted at
the gate of the city, called Babelf1aige, the
earthquake still continuing. Cold and dreadful
! ly bruised, and cut ia my body and feet, | fell
on my knees among a ooncourse of people, to
thank the Almighty for my happy deverance
from the jaws of death. But the gate of the city
was shut and no one dared to risk his life under
its arch TO open it. After recommending my
soul again to my Creator, threw myself on the
gate. felt in the dark, and perceived that it
wasnot locked, but the great iron bars that went
across the folding doors were bent BY the earth
quake, and the little strength retained was rot
sufficient to force them. went in quest Of the
guards, but they were no more,
+ fell again on my knees before the Almighty,
who alone could save me from the immediate
peril of being crushed to death. did not forget
IN my prayers the miserable creatures around
me. While was in that attitude, four or FIVE
Turks came near me, and joined hands to pray
ID their accustomed way, calling out " Ala !
Ala" Having in sight my safety, and that of
thousands of individuals who crowded to the gate
to escape, made no reflections, but began 70
entreat them in the name of God, TO help me to
open the gate, in order to our lives and those
of SO many individuals who we're continually
pershing before us.
| The Lord inspired them with courage; and,
providing themselves with large stones, accord
| ing to my instructions in little time they for
ced the bars and opened the gate. No sooner
quake crutnbled it to pieces, and several Jews
were killed by its fall
| new and affecting scsne was now exhibited
A great concourse Of people rushed out and
with one accord fell Oh their knees, to render