of electricity. Nor shall we attempt to conceal the fact, that this is the opinion to which we are ourselves most strongly inclined. Our inability to point out the precise mode of operation by which the electric fluid gives rise to earthquakes, constitutes no argument whatever against the validity of the doctrine. We are equally ignorant of the mode of operation of this fluid in the production of water-spouts, hurricanes, and thunderstorms; yet all observation convinces us, and all men of science, we believe, concur in the opinion, that these phenomena are marked by its presence and arise from its agency. Mock-suns, fire-balls, and the aurora-borealis, are also, by universal consent, ascribed to electricity; but where is the philosopher, either ancient or modern, who can explain to us the mode of its action in producing them? We shall proceed to state, in a manner as succinct as may be consistent with perspicuity, a few of the considerations which induce us to attribute earthquakes to an electric origin. These phenomena are most prevalent in warm climates, where electricity most abounds. They occur more frequently in the torrid than in the temperate, and more frequently in the temperate than in the frigid zones. To the universality of this truth, Iceland, Kamschatka, the country around Behring's Straits, and perhaps a few other volcanic regions in high latitudes, constitute exceptions. At the moment of the eruption of an earthquake, as well as for some time previously to the event, all nature is clothed in electrical appearances-such appearances precisely, except that they are much more strongly marked, as precede or accompany the tropical hurricanes. The waters of the ocean are unusually calm and transparent, or singularly agitated without the intervention of any perceptible cause. The sound sent forth by the surf is sometimes peculiarly loud and solemn. A portentous stillness prevails in the atmosphere, which is sometimes clear, and at other times so loaded with vapour and defective in transparency, as to give the sun a dusky or blood-like appearance, and to obscure the other celestial bodies. The clouds, by the peculiarity of their figure and movement, manifest a very highly electric condition. In many instances clouds of this description have been seen to settle and hang with a most threatening aspect, directly over cities and other places, during the time of their convulsions from an earthquake. The heavens sparkle with fire-balls and other luminous meteors, or are extensively marked by the aurora-borealis. Geese, wild fowls, and other inferior animals, that are known to be peculiarly sensible to a superabundance or deficiency of the electric fluid, exhibit, previously to an earthquake, the same dismay in their looks and restlessness in their movements, which they are in the practice of manifesting, and send forth the same cries of terror which they so frequently utter, on the approach of thunderstorms and other powerful electrical phenomena. The shock, experienced by vessels navigating the ocean or lying in rivers, is precisely such as may be produced by passing powerful sparks of electricity through a body of water. The extreme velocity, with which the shock of an earthquake pervades extensive tracts of country, constitutes a powerful argument in favour of a belief in its electrical character. During the prevalence of these convulsions, streams of fire oftentimes issue from the ground, analogous in their appearance and action to flashes of electricity. They are accompanied, moreover, with the same sulphureous smell, which is so uniform an attendant on severe discharges of lightning from the clouds. Nor is this all. Under these circumstances, metallic conductors driven into the earth, and projecting a sufficient distance into the atmosphere, have sent forth from their summits, repeated and powerful electric coruscations. This interesting experiment was performed by several persons, and with complete success, during the destructive earthquakes of Calabria. It appears to establish the identity of electricity with the cause of these phenomena, almost as definitively as the famous experiment of Dr. Franklin did the identity of that fluid with the lightning of the skies. Electricity possesses the power of igniting certain inflammable substances, and also of converting water into steam. Hence the facility with which, on the principles of our hypothesis, we can account for the volumes of vapour, smoke, and actual flame, which so frequently issue from the ground during the prevalence of an earthquake. Coming into contact, in certain subterranean situations, with bodies of water and large quantities of combus. tible materials, the electric fluid suddenly converts the former into vapour and the latter into flame; both of which, bursting forcibly through the superincumbent strata of earth, increase the general amount of concussion, and add to the collective horrors of the scene. On the same principle, as well as from various other considerations, which our province does not, at present, permit us to enumerate, we think it highly probable, that electricity is the brand which lights up new, and rekindles, after ages, extinguished volcanoes. In the northern hemisphere, the general course of earthquakes is from south to north; and in the southern, from north to south. In either case the concussions travel from the line towards the pole. This, too, is analogous to the general course of the electric fluid, which, received in vast quantities under the torrid zone, moves constantly through the body of the earth, to the polar regions; from whence, in the form of aurora borealis, it is again distributed into the atmosphere. For diminishing the force of earthquakes, or preventing them altogether, different philosophers have proposed different expe riments, corresponding to the views they have entertained of their causes. Those, who attribute these phenomena to the action of steam imprisoned in the bowels of the earth, advise us to provide for our safety by the sinking of numerous deep pits, which, by serving as so many vent-holes to this destructive agent, may thus prevent the impending mischief. Those, on the other hand, who consider subterraneous electricity as the cause of earthquakes, deem it perfectly feasible to discharge this fluid gradually into the atmosphere, and thus entirely avert its rage, by driving to a sufficient depth into the earth a great number of metallic conductors. We profess ourselves wholly disinclined to place much reliance on either of these expedients. However highly we think of the light of science, and of the power of the philosopher, when armed with all the means it furnishes, we cannot prevail on ourselves to believe, that it belongs as yet, to the province of feeble man, cither to disarm the heavens entirely of the thunderbolt, or to draw from its subterraneous recesses the principle of earthquakes. C. EPISTOLARY.-FOR THE PORT FOLIO [The following original letter from Dr. Franklin is a most pleasing specimen of the amiable playfulness of that philosopher. It is addressed to a daughter of the dean of St. Asaph, and sister of the lady who afterwards became the wife of sir William Jones. Dr. Franklin was then in his 68th year, yet all the volatility of youthful genius could have dictated nothing more gay and good-humoured than this letter.] DEAR SIR, Chilbolton, Tuesday, 22nd September: I have the misfortune to acquaint you that last week poor Mungo got out of his cage and was killed by a dog. I was really very much concerned for it, as I am remarkably fond of all squirrels and particularly valued Mungo, as being the gift of my good friend. I preferred it to the European squirrels for being more gentle and good-humoured and full as lively. Papa and Mama have gone to spend a week at Bevismont. The bow-windows at Twypond go on but slowly. I believe we shall not be able to remove there this year, but we all hope you will still hold yourself engaged to spend some part of the autumn at Chilbolton. All this family desires their best compliments, and I remain Your obedient humble servant, DEAR MISS, London, September, 26th, 1773. I lament with you most sincerely the unfortunate end of poor Mungo. Few squirrels were better accomplished; for he had had a good education, had travelled far, and seen much of the world. As he had the honour of being for his virtues your favourite, he should not go like common skuggs without an elegy or an epitaph. Let us give him one in the monumental style and measure, which being neither prose nor verse, is perhaps the properest for grief, since, to use common language, would look as if we were not affected, and to make rhymes would seem trifling in sorrow. ALAS! POOR MUNGO! Happy wert thou hadst thou known Remote from the fierce Bald-Eagle, Tyrant of thy native woods, Thou hadst nought to fear from his piercing talons; Of the thoughtless sportsman. Safe in the wired castle, Of an indulgent mistress; But discontented thou wouldst have more freedom. Fell by the merciless fangs Of wanton cruel Ranger. Learn here ye who blindly wish more liberty, You see how much more decent and proper this broken style, interrupted as it were with sighs, is for the occasion, than if one were to say, by way of epitaph, Here skugg Lies snug In a rug. And yet there are people in the world of so little feeling, as to think that would be a good enough epitaph for our poor Mungo! If you wish it I shall procure another to succeed him; but perhaps you will now choose some other amusement. Remember me respectfully to all the good family; and believe me ever Your affectionate friend, |