The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-01-25

1T IS presumable that tho rainy weather oil
the present winter has extended all over the
Islands, to the benefit of agriculturists who in
some localities have suffered from serious
d~roughts. On this Island the rains of the past
week have been quite copious and OF that slow
persistent kind that thoroughly penetrates the
soil. But there is another result of n heavy rain
fall, on these Islands at least, which is not often
recognized by casual observers. Copious show
ere falling on the mountains Of the volcanic
island Of Hawaii, beneath whose surface Turk
the fires of Pele, have been almost invariably
followed by an eruption or by earthquakes. OF
the latter the most remarkable occurred nine
years ago. The months of December and JAN
uary, 1870, had been characterized by frequent
and heavy rains all over the group, accompanied
by thunder and lightning. The rainfall for the
month Of January was recorded at 10 inches in
Honolulu, and lightning is reported to have
struck, in one instance demolishing a stone walh
On the 10Th Of February following occurred the
severest shock Of earthquake experienced in this
city in many years, startling everybody, but,
doing no damage OF moment. But it was a very
serious shaking, as many Of our readers may
remember. Just about the same date, we find
it recorded that the volcano Of KiIauea was very
active, and that a dense smoke hung over the
summit OF Mauna Kea. The light from Kilauea
was plainly visible at Hilo at night. The follow
ing OF volcanic phenomena after q considerable
rainfall has been frequently mentioned in our
hearing by old residents, but we do not remem-
Der to have seen the fact stated in print before.
1t would be interesting to know the views and
experiences Of scientists on this subject. Water
poured upon fire very naturally produces an
Has there been something Of this recently
going on in volcanic centres of various parts of
the world? Not once in centuries does a time
occur in which, as of late, three great active
of the world with Kilauea to hear
irony are in full blast together. But this sin-
gular fact exists. Cotopaxi in Ecuador, the
great active fire mountain of the Andean Chain,
reported to be in full and tremendous activity,
his towering snow-covered peak rising far above
the high mountain valley of Quito, and 10000
above the sea-more than six thousand feet
above Hawaii's highest mountaineering crowned
BY a roaring sheet of flame, and belching forth
ava, ashes and thunder. We have not yet
heard whether Chimborazo and Aconcagua, in
south America-both higher than Chimborazo-
ire in action. But in Italy, both of the great
volcanoes are active, O very unusual circumstance.
ltna, on the island of Sicily, which fires up
carcely once in a century, is now in full blast,
md so is Yesuvius. The sight must be sublime
t night Of either Of these flaming mountains,
nd we read that people go all the way from
to get a sight of Vesuvius in eruption
rom Naples or from the bay. The fact Of the
imultaneous eruptiOns of three great volcanoes
n different regions is sufficiently interesting to (
.xcite attention.
Taken IN connection with the accounts which
We read in the papers Of the day, of the preva-
snce Of the worst Of crimes the pestilence
he horrors Of war OF storms-the timid will
their fears revived no doubt, and those
iven |. the marvellous will wonder If indeed
he predicted end or all things terrestrial is not
{ hand. But " the sober, second thought "
Eil re-assure all such and after the dreaded r
ear Of lSS0-or 1881 1--WE don't remember :
Thich) has been passed in safety, and things
been found 10 60 on in the usual way, the
ensation lovers Will no doubt become quiet once
iore, until new prophets arise to predict the
ate OF the final catastrophe.
Meantime, look out for a demonstration from
or Mauna IOa, in comparison with
Thich C~otOpaxi, Etna and Yesuyius will he as
child's play. :,