The Press., 1883-08-09
(New York Tribune.1 THE DOOM OF ISCHIA.

THE DOOM OF ISCHIA.
 The terrible disaster which has over whelmed the island of Ischia is another proof of the close connection between vol canoes and earthquakes. Vesuvius is the main center of volcanic action of chain
 of mountains extending from the Gulf of Salerno beyond Naples to Mount Barbado
 and the islands Procida and Ischia. Its
 first recorded eruption, which occurred in the year 79, was preceded in 63 by the
 earthquake that buried the cities of Pom peH and Herculaneum. Up to that period
 the most active volcano in the region was Epomeo in the center of Ischia. As Ve-
 suvius increased in violence Epomeo de-
 creased, and since 1901 there have been
 no eruptions on the island The eruptions
 of Vesuvius on the main land have been frequently accompanied by earthquakes
 in the adjacent volcanic islands with their
 dozen or more extinct craters. Casamic-
 ciola, the watering place, which was de-
 stroyed on Saturday night, has twice be-
 fore been shattered by earthquakes during
 the present century, and in each instance
 the phenomenon was closely associated
 with the action of Vesuvius. In 1928 the
 earthquake occurred on the very day of
 the eruption, and was preceded by sub-
 terranean explosions in Mount Epomeo.
 In 1881 the earthquake was on the third
 day after the volcano became active. On
 the mainland in the vicinity of Vesuvius
 earthquake shocks have been frequent
 since the destruction of Pompeii. Within
 the space of four years about $50 distinct shocks were recorded iu the center of this
 region. In 1783 the district of Calabria
 lying to the south of Vssuvius was the
 scene of series of earthquakes by which 100, ,00O lives were lost, and in 1857 there
 was terrible shock that was felt through out the Kingdom of Naples. Similar ev-
 idence may be collected in reference to
 the west coast of South America and from Central America, confirming the theory that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions , are intimately connected as the effects o1 a common subterranean agency, inexpli- cable as that cause may be.
 The great earthquake of Lisbon, one o1
 the most destructive ever recorded, occur red at long distance from any active crater and could not be associated as II
 Southern Italy, Peru and San Salvador
 with ordinary evidences of volcanic action This exception to the general rule en [ abled Mallet, the most original investlgat or in this field of science, to lay great stress
 upon the proximity of the sea or othe1 large body of water as an essential cond1 tion of earthquake disturbances as well as
 volcanic eruptions. One of his ingenious theories implied the irruption of igneous } matter beneath the sea-bottom, and the generation and subsequent condensation } of vast volumes of steam, by which an i'm pulse would sometimes be given to volcan
 ic centers or direct motion communicat ed to the crust of the earth. The island of which Buchanan Read wrote ''Here Is
 chia smiles, Ger liquid miles" /" not only lies over against Vesuvius, but far out 1T the Mediterranean, in bed of volcanic rocks scanned with great Assures whlcf , have been caused by sudden dislocation
 of the earth crust. Whether earthquake are to be attributed to the condensation O. } steam under the pressure of sea-water, O to explosions caused by the generation O elastic gases through contact with an Ill ternal molten mass, or to actual pulsatlon'
 in the fluid mass beneath the crust of thu earth, Ischia answers the physical require } ments of all the theories equally well. Il view of Mallet's final generalization, whicl WAS the outcome of his dynamical studies
 of the effects of the great convulsion il Naples of 1857, it must also be assumed , that the recent earthquake is not to be de plored except in the locality which has , been devastated. The function of earth
 quakes and volcanic eruptions is now rs garded by scientists as preservatlve as vel ; as destructive, inasmuch as they accom-
 plish in restricted areas results whicf
 would otherwise be extended with terrific
 effect to the whole earth.
 Some comprehensive theory of ultimate compensation is needed when the world ls brought face to face with such heart
 rending catastrophe as that which has be
 fallen Ischia. Ordinarily there are few
 points of human interest in calamities tha1
 are reported long distance away. One
 morning year or more ago newspaper
 readers read the brief announcement il
 the cable dispatches that 4,O00 lives haC
 been lost by an earthquake in the island ot
 Scio. The fact excited no more emotion
 than tbs footings of 8 table of mortality
 statistics. It was only vague generallza
 tion and it could not leave any permanent
 impression upon the public mind. 1schls is not many leagues this side of Scio, but it is easier to bring the suffering that has been caused in that single awful instant
 close to the sympatihes and emotions , Casamicciola, like many watering place
 and summer resort on the American coast was thronged with invalids, pleasure CTS and fashionable idlers. It was a favo rite resort for fashionable people, The baths have been in high repute since the days of the Caesars, and the island is the l summer home of many wealthy Italian
 families. It was Saturday night, wher the village was filled with 8 careless, ex t cited throng and piazzas were ringing witt } song and merriment. Suddenly there wa. 5 thrill of horror, an awful moment of sus : pense, and Casamicciola's gay, pleasure l hunting world was wrenched out of life l Such A recital creates a sense of insecurit, l the world over. Men have learned to ex t. pect catastrophes like this, but each new l one that occurs is followed by dull feel B ing of helplessness.
 e Ear For five cents, Wells, Richardson & Go. !, Burlington, Vt, will send celored samples o l. all colors of Diamond Dyes, with directions , Associate Justice Miller, of the Unite,