The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-05

The COMMISSIONS Of nature during the past four months
Of his year have exhibited unusual frequency and des
tFctve extent comprising eruptons in Qaito the Sand
wch Islands, California, and iasty-thoagh the torn
would seem 10 be uaisn0mer--wc hear of earthquakes
being felt at sea by various vessels The following
record Of tese various vsatons arranged in chronicle
gical ORDER
On the 18th OF February the volcano Of Mauna Loa
one OF the Sandwich Islands, fearful sgn There
was small river Of lava, heen feet deep and nearly
half mite wido, running with fierce current from the
crater OF the volcano at tn, rate of eight miles hour
sweeping everything before il, and glowing with red
heat. The British SHIP Calypso bad sailed with the
King and British Consul board, to the scene OF des
rucion, the officers designing possible TO obtain scen
ti6c data Of the mountain.
The crater Of Kilanea, that Of Mauna Loa the
Sandwich Islands, has exhibited remarkable activity
the recent eruptons Of the latter, with which IL remote
~ connected As yet the lava though boiling within the
mountain, has lot risen 70 overflow H. That result
is however, momentarily expected
On the 22d of March the city OF Quito, in Ecuador,
South America, was visited by dreadful earthquake
which caused ioss of life and property great extent
ana extended 10 the capital OF the province Of Leon,
and among the towns Of the oanonmeut of Laacuaga In
the city of Quito at half past eight in the morning the
most violent movement Of the earth was felt and the
towers, cupolas, temples roofs and walls of buildings
came tnmblng TO the earth all directions The scene
Of human suffering heartrendng Whole families
were buried in the rubbish and the cries OF the bruised
wounded and dying were fearful Hardly house escaped
damage to greater or less extent The cathedral the
ecclesiastical court, the Chapel Of FL Sagraro the tenn.
pies Of Augustines Caallnes, Domincans Santa Clara,
San Francisco, ST. Rogue, and ST. John the Evangelist
were all in ruins, all the churches and public edices
were moro or less damaged The injuries 10 the inhabI
tants consisted mainly in bruises and minor casualties
only ten persons being known TO have been killed. num-
Der truly astonishing when tho violence of the shock and
the damage to the buildings considered The city of
Machachi and the towns of Perucho Pomasqu and Coto
oolan were all visited by the same earthquake-o what
extent future advices must develope.
Avocano hitherto unknown has recently been discover
ed lin Shasta county, California Dr. wogencra who has
travelled considerably through the State reports having
visited, in excluded portion Of that county burning
mountain. His inspection from safe distance but
be s confirmed in the opinion that the flames must pro-
coed from an active volcano. The fire had the same ap
pearance from various positions and the confederation OF
hunter in the vicinity Is given to show that volcano
does exist at the spot indicated.
The Shasta county papers, however deny the existence
of any such eruption, and pronounce the story hoax
1t is nevertheless true that tho surface Of California and
the molten appearance Of much Of the gold found by the
carly settlers bear testimony to the previous existence Of
volcanic action IL is possible that Mr.. Wogencrafts
story may be true and the Shasta county papere fault
Captain Green, CT the whaleship Sheffield, arrived at
this port on Tuesday reported having experienced in la
tude $685. longitude 691o, three severe shocks of an
earthquake, respectively at AIS, $40 and $40 "A NJ He
had experienced similar commissions before but said these
were Of longer continuance louder and shook the ship
more than any Others he felt The FIRST shock lasted
over minute and awoke all the seepers in the ship
The sea presented the appearance Of tide rip and the
noise much resembled light cannonading.
Our advcec from Jamaica, dated Kingston, December
81 stated that the 23d of that MONTH at hapas one
the island was visited with terrific earthquake the first
severe visitation Of the kind ever known