The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-08-26
Earthu uakes---Brute Sagacity.

Earthquakes---Brute Sagacity.
To man, nature affords no symptom o
the approach of an earthquake, even o.
the most destructive description, in time
to put him on bis guard, and enable him
beforehand to consult the means of safe
ty. 1t is true that where there are &C.
tive volcanoes, and they sulk for a sea-
son, or cease to smoke as usual, a con
Vulsion in the vicinity may be predicted
with tolerable certainty. But the day
and hour of its occurrence is profound
secret; and the event is often warded of
by the craters resumlng their activity
Down to almost the latest moment prior
to the dread event, which will slay its
thousands, convert their houses into Sc
pulchres, and demolsh the marts of com
merce, the halls of justice, and the tenn
Piles of religion, both heaven and earth
appear as on days destined to pass peace
fully or gladsomely away.
1t was on Old Saints day, which
broke with serene sky and fne east.
erly breeze 10 the early morning, when
the churches were thronged With copgre.
cations, that Lisbon was smitten to the
dust. On the afternoon of similar fes-
tival, beneath calm and cloudless sky,
Caracas pcrished, while the moon hung
her brilliant lamp over the ruined city
at eventide, and the night of the torrd
zone set in with peculier loneliness. If
long calms, oppressive heats, and preva-
lent fogs have been the observed antece-
dents of many catastrophes, it is certain
that the events are merely coincident, and
not physically connected, since such
states of the atmosphere often occur with
out being followed by terrible phenome-
na, while earthquakes have as frequently
transpired during the gales of wind, un-
der the brightest skies, and when heavy
rains have been pouring down.
As the solemn crisis approaches, hu-
man intelligence seems inferior to brute
sagacity. Men buy and sell, eat and
drink, marry and given in marriage, on
the eve of change which will nulify
contracts, and terminate the eDgageme d is
of life to the busiest plotters for the fu-
ture; while many of the lower reunounce
their customary habits, and di-play un.
mistakeable apprehension Of some alarm.
ing though unknown incident being at
hand. Rats, mice, moles, snakes and liz
ards abondon the holes and cavities in
the ground in which they dwell, and run
about with evident trepidation. Some
Of the higher species also, especially goats,
hogs, cats and dogs, with horses and cat
tie in lesser degree, seem to scent the
coming earthquake, and exhibit remark
bic restlessness.
Various interesting facts have been
noted in relation to the demeanor of ami.
mails prior to great conyulSion. 1t was
towards noon, beneath clear and alm ost
cloudless sky, with the sea-brecze freshly
blowing, that the cities Of Conception and
Talachuano. on the coast OF South Amer.
lea, were desolated in the year ls35.---
At ten o'clock. two hours before the ruin,
toe inhabitants remarked with surprise,
as altogether unusual. large flights Of sea-
fowl passing from the coast towards the
interior; and the dogs at Talacbuano a.
bandoned the town before the shock
which leveled its buildings was felt Not
an animal it is believed was in the place
when the destruction came. In 1905,
previous to an earthquake experienced at
Naples, which took place at night, but
was most severely felt in the provinces,
the oxen and cows began to below; the
sheep and goats bleated strangely; the dogs
bowled terribly; and the horses fastened
in their stalls leaped up, endeavoriDg to
break the halters which attached them
to the mangers. Rabbits and moles were
seen to leave their burrows; birds rose. as
if scared, from the places on which they
had alighted; and reptiles left in clear
day light their subte rraneous retreats
Some faithful dogs few minutes before
Z the first shock, awoke their sleeping
masters by barking, and pulling them
as if anxious 20 warn them of i'm.
pending danger; and several persons
we're thus enabled to save themselves =
On the recent occasion, all the dogs in
the neighborhood of Yallo howled before
the people we're sensible their of doDger
To account for these circumsta noes, it il
coDiectured that prior to actual distur
bance, noxious gases and other exhala
tions are emitted from the interior of The