The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-15

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ito be observed that the duration of earthquakes
is exceedingly short in proportion to the effects
which they produce and 1t almos. appears as II the
amount of the one was in an inverse ratio to the
other. Tie most destructive shocks are generally
over in a moment. The earthquake of Caracas,
consisted of three terrific shocks, each lasting
but two or three seconds. Those which destroyed
San Salvador did not collectively extend over ten
seconds. severe one, experienced by the writer,
in ls49, lasted only about five seconds.
| Nevertheless, outside of cities, earthquakes pro-
duce no very serious results, and every intelligent
traveller, in such situations Is rather anxious to
experience one. The sensations which they create
are entirely novel, and cannot be described |;
and he who has felt them in safety may regard
himself as having been favored above his fellows
with an entirely new class of sensations if not of
ideas.
The subjoined general account of the earthquake,
with the accompanying documents, is translated
from an Extraordinary Bulletin" of the Govern.
ment of San Salvador, which has been removed to
the city Of Cojutepeque.
From the g Boletin Extraordinario del Goberno del
Salvador" Of Maya
RUIN OF THE CITY OF SAN SALVADOR.
Outs Italia fando
Temperet lacrims.-vIRGIT.
The night of the 10th of April 1854 will be of
sad and bitter memory for the people of Salvador On
that unfortunate night happy and beautiful capitol
was made heap of ruins. Movements Of the earth
felt the morning of Holy Thursday preceded by
sounds like the rolling of heavy artillery pavements
and like distant thunder The people little alarmed
in Of this phenomenon but did not prevent
them from meeting in the churches to celebrate the
IDENTITIES of the day. On Saturday all quiet and
IF tha oh orhn
assembled as usual, TO celebrate the Passover. The
night of Saturday tranquil also the whole Of
Sunday The heat is true considerable but the
atmosphere calm and For the first three hours
of the evening nothing unusual occurred; but at half
mast nine severe shock earthquake occurring with
out the preliminary noises alarmed the whole city
Many families left their houses and made encampments
in the public squares while others prepared to pass the
night in their respective court yards.
Finally at minutes to eleven, without premontion
Of any kind the earth began to heave and tremble with
such fearful force that in ten seconds the entire city
was Frustrated The crashing Of houses and churches
stunned the ears OF the terrified Inhabitants while o
cloud of dust from the falling ruins enveoped them in
pail Of impenetrable darkness. Not drop Of water
could be got to relieve the half choked and suocatng
for the wells and fountains filled up made dry.
The clock Of the Cathedral carried great part Of
the edfce with its fall The towers of the church
fr1nciScO
Of palace The urch of santo Domingo was buried
beneath its towers, and the college Of the
Assumption was entirely ruined. The and beauti-
full ed6ce Of the University demolished. The
Church Of the MERGED separated in the centre and It's
walls fell outward to the ground OF the private houses
few left standing but all were rendered uninha-
bitable 1t is worthy Of remark that the walls left
standing are old ones all those of modern consru
have fallen The public ed6ces Of the government and
city shared the common destruction
The devastation was effected have said, in the
first ten seconds; for although the succeeding shocks
tremendous and accompanied by fearful rumbngs
beneath feet they had comparatively trng results
for the reason that the had left but little for their
rayages.
Solemn md terrible the picture presented thu
funeral night whole people clustering in the pa
and their knees crying with loud voices to Heave
mercy ogonzng accents calling for their children
and friends which they believed to be buried beneath
the ruins. A heaven Opaque and ominous; movement
of the earth rapid and unequal causing terror indies
serbs be intense sulphurous odor filling the atmos
ere and indicating approaching eruption Of the vol
cano: streets allied with ruins overhung by threaten
ing walls suIocating cloud Of DUST almost rendering
respiration possible Such the spectacle presented
by the unhappy city that memorable and awful night
hundred boys shut up in the college
many inyalds crowded the hospitals, and the
barracks full of soldiers. The sense OF tn
catastrophe which must have befsllen them, gave
poianancy to the FIRST moments OF reflection after
the earthquake 1t believed that at least
fourth part of the inhabitants had been buried beneath
the ruins. The members Of the government, however
FASTENED ascertain far practicable the extent oil
the catastrophe, and to quiet the public mind It wa:
found that the loss Of life had been much less than
supposed and appears probable that the number
of the killed viii not exceed hundred, and of wound
ed fifty. Among the latter is the Bishop who received
a severe blow on the head the late President, Seno
Duenas daughter Of the President, and the wife oil thu
Secretary of the Legislative Characteristic latter Sc
verely.
Fortunately, the earthquake has not been follow
ed BY rains, which gives opportunity te
disinter the public archives, also many o
the valuabes contained in the dwellings Of the citizens
The movements of the earth still continue with stron,
Shocks and the people, fearing general swallowing NJ
of the site Of the city, that it may be buried unde
some sudden eruption Of the Volcano are Fastening
away taking with them their household gods the sweet
memories of their infancy, and their domestic animals
perhaps only property left for the support Of thei
families exclaimng with Virgil, "Nos patrae fines
dueid iinqiimas ara"
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF SAN SAL
vADoR.
ne President Of tie STATE Of Salvador 10 its Inhabitants
ihiIo" ShbhNs'-i speak 10 you auhost 'he ruins VI
beautiful CAPITOL under the weight Of the heavy dis
asier which overlook the fatal night Of Sunday
the 10th Of April fearful earthquake destroyed, IL
the brief space of ten seconds all the badings Of thu
city plunged an infinite number Of families in misery
and has driven them abroad to seek shelter elsewhere
Cowprchendng the full extent Of the calamity which hal
bcfaen the people Of the city the government only
offer the consolation that 1t will neglect means to Sc
such property has been saved from the ruins and
to maintain public tranquility and order. In doing this
they not only rely upon the operation Of the people
residing near the capitol but depend upon them to negec
means Of sdordng relief to the sufferers The govern
ment relies upon the general patriotism and public spirit
TO give efficiency to the which will be taken ia
build up the city OF San Salvador ia place
offering better conditions than the present site, and