The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-04-28
here, only adding that have faithfully


Immediately after the accident hap
pened, and before there was time to
vary the truth.
LETTER ii.
The letter which, in compliance with
your request, wrote to you concern
ing the death of my uncle has raised.
it seems, your curiosity to know what
terrors and dangers attended me while
l continued at Alisenum, for there, l
think, my account broke off.
Though my SHOCKED soul recoils, my
tongue shall tell.
My uncle, having left us, l spent
such time as was left on my studies
lit was on their account indeed, that l
had stopped behind) till i, was time for
my bath After which l went to sup
per, and then fell into Il short and I'M
easy sleep.
There had been noticed for many
days before Il trembling Of the EARTH
which did not alarm us much. as this
is quite an ordinary occurrence in
Campania, but it was SO particularly
violent that night that it not only shook
but actually overturned, as it would
seem, everything about us. My moth
er rushed into my chamber. where she
found ma rising in order to awaken
her. We sat down in the open court
of the house. which occupied q small
space between the buildings and the
sea. AS / was at .that time but cigh-
teen years of age. | know not whether
should call my behavior in this dam
gerous juncture courage or folly; but
l took up Livy and amused myself with
turning over that author. and even
making extracts from him. as if had
been perfectly at my leisure. Just
then friend of my uncle. who had
lately come to him from Spain, joined
us. and, observing me sitting by my
mother with q book in my hand. re-
proved hcr for her calmness and me at
the same time for my careless security:
nevertheless. | went on with my author.
Though it was now morning. the light
was still exceedingly faint and doubt
full; the buildings all around us tot
tered, and though we stood upon open
ground. yet as the place was narrow
and confined there was no remaining
without imminent danger: We there
fore resolved to Quit the town.
Effect of Earthquakes.
4 panic-Stricken crowd followed us.
and Gas to Il mind distracted With ter
ror every suggestion seems more pru
dent than its nwn), pressed on us in
dense array to drive us forward as
we came out. Being at :, convenient
distance from the houses, we stood
still in the midst of Il most danger
which We had ordered to be drawn out
were 81 agtated backward and for
ward. though upon the most level
ground, that we could not keep them
steady, even by supporting them with
large stones. The sea seemed to- roll
'ack upon itself, and to be driven
from its banks by the ronvulsive mo-
ton Of the earth. 1t is certain at least
the shore was considerably enlarged
and several sea animals were left upon
it. On the other side "a black and
dreadful cloud, broken with rapid, zig
gag flashes. revealed behind it various
iy shaped masses of flame. These last
were like sheet lightning. but much
larger.
Upon this our Spanish friend whom
! mentioned above addressed himself
10 my mother and me with great energy
and urgency: IF your brother" he said,
III your uncle be safe he certainly
wishes you may be so too, but If he
persisted it was his desire no doubt
that you might both survive him. Why,
therefore. do you delay your escape a
nlOment?" We could never think of
our own safety. we said. While we were
uncertain of his. Upon this our friend
left us and withdrew from the danger
with the UTMOST precipitation. Soon
:lfterward the cloud began to descend
and cover the sea. 1t had already sur
rounded and concealed the Island of
Capri and the promontory of MiScnun.
My mother now bcSought urged even
commanded me to make my escape ut
any rate. which. as | WAS young. !
might easily do; as for herself. she
said her age ana corpulcncy rendered
all attempts of that sort impossible
However. she would willingly meet
death if she could have the satisfaction
of seeing that she was not the occa :
sion of mine. But absolutely refused
to leave her. and taking her by IN,
hand compelled her To go With me. She
complied with great reluctance. anC
not without many reproachcs to her.
self for retarding my flight.
The ashes now began to fall ,lpol
us. though in no great quantity.
looked back. \ dense dark mis-
seemed to be following us. spreadin,
itself over the country like u cloud
Let us turn out of the high road"
said, while we can still see, for fea
that. should we fall in the road, W
should be pressed to death in the darl
by the crowds that are following Us
We had scarcely sat down when nigl,