Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-07-27
Earlhnuake in the City of Mexico.

correspondent O1 lne NC" IoTk neTau
writing from the City of Mexico under date o.
June 80, gives the following account of the re-
cent earthquake there:
had mailed my last letters to you but fifteen
minutes before, and was on my way back to my
hotel, when suddenly the earth rocked beneath
my feet. was precipiiaed against the wall I"
house the hnuses commenced To crnck aud
roll about like empty bottles in wafer; the streets
were rapidy filled with old and yonDg-some
in full dress, some in no dre-s-all making a
most friglful ado; some lying fiat on their bel
lies. but most on their knees, calling IN all the
saints IN the Mexican cslepdar to save them.
their wives or husbands, their children, &c.
horses. dogs. and even the mules and the stupid
asses in the streets stood stock still, quveing in
+very part A second or mo4 gave me m idea
nf what WAS iraitSprine. and recollectipg the
exclamation IT cGrgad0r lew seconds before.
that there was an earthquake, | recovered my
self a. Was going head'ng in the street On the
rebound, aud betaking m, self 10 do"rway, took
uur M, watch and cunmtneed making Notes ol
time and events.
As laid hold of one side of the door-whict
was the San Francisco near the corner NJ the
Vergaru-ihe houses appeared to me TO be rock
I'd about as if they were made nf cork anu al
the time were floating on stormy water. win
dows cracked patio lamps were hurled through
urtals into the streets altogether there appear
ed to be but little chance Of getting through the
trouble with whole body and bones, SO made
my way as best could over the heaving pave
mpnt to the corner of the street-mUved thlther
by the general instinct exhibited by all living
creatures. A crowd ofleperos, donkeys, horses,
some ladies and few gentlemen, soon formed
INV companions. When arrived at the corner
was the only person standng-all the rest
were on their knees or bellies but few Sec
on,ls brought several who also kept an upright
pusitiun-must of them for bravado. At the
corner could see the National Theatre, the DO
tel lturbid-, the Pr"greso, the Academy ut tile
corner, and several other large buildings lhey
were all heaving to and fro in the most alar!n
ing manner For my own part could not con-
ceve how they were able to resist one OF the
shocks. so violent were they and 70 heaving.-
But. fortunately, no house in the range OF my
vision came down. The shocks lasted for near
" three minutes, although all the heavy swells
nassed within the space OF two minutes.
The first shock was light aud unperceved by
me, although noticed by cargalor whom was
passinc at the moment, who was seated on a
Ter the first shock, and had gone some twenty
feet. when the statement Of the cargadOr turned
out true. After the heavy shocks there We're
several lighter ones, which were annoying to
font passengers THE earth was contracting IN
to its place, and gave several disagreeaOle twing
es and jerks.
The first shock came from the south east
and was followed by three from the SAME direc
q,
east to west, aad gave us four heavy surges,
Which WAS followed by Others of less strength.
The whole affair created the most lnien Z ex
cite,nent throughout this city, which admitted
Of no abatement for three or four days. The
nrrviou. gossip which had existed regarding the
forced loans. banishments, &C., suddenly Was
hushed, and all were absoroed to learning llie
ruth Of the calamity which had passed. For
the first night aud day the populace Aock~d 10
the SQUARES and principal openings in the city
The first night the Alameda and Grand Plaza
were filled with thousands ot people who kep'
watch. for sleep they could not on account OF II
drizzling rain IL general impression prevailed
thu, there wonld be repetition within thirty
lour hours after the visitation. fortunately this
did not come.
The circuit of this earthquake is not yet
exactly known, but already it is known to have
extended over AN area of six hundred miles IL
is also impossible rs vet to ascertain where me
shocks came from. Some incline to the hellef
that they originated in the volcano OF J"rull"' in
Michoacan. on account ut the almost entire ann
ilntinn of the town of Palzcuarn; Others thi"k
tb,. shock. were caused hy some internal move
mept ON In. Pacific cOist, near Acapulco, as the
village of ChilIancingo has suffered severely
.;ytv bou.e. having been thrown down.