The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTSMOUTH, July 9.

To the Publisher of the New Hampshire Gazette.

As a considerable Shock of an Earthquake was felt here Yesterday about two o'Clock P. M. preceded by a rumbling Noise; 'tis presumed the following Thoughts will not be unseasonable.

EARTHQUAKES are commonly preceded, and perhaps always attended, with a rumbling Noise; similar to Thunder; which has induced some to imagine they originated in our Atmosphere: either by an uncommon Rarefaction, or a Suspension of its Pressure on some Part of the Earth's Surface. But the known Laws of Electricity (which solve the Phenomena of Thunder and Lightning) and the Effects which would necessarily ensue from a Suspension of the Atmospheric Pressure, with Respect to some Parts of the Earth, make it improbable. There be many Causes in Nature which acting, no other ways than by the Laws imposed on them by their Creator, capable, to produce such Effects as Earthquakes:--For since they are only Vibrations of Earth; 'tis evident, any Power in Nature acting in such a Manner as to move any considerable Quantity of this Earth, will produce such an Effect, in a greater or less Degree. Water by Means of Fire is capable of great Rarefaction. If then a large Collection of Water should fall into a Volcano in the Bowels of the Earth, and become rarefied as one of the Lacrimæ Vitrei, will in the Blaze of a Candle, it would undoubtedly produce all the Effects observed in an Earthquake. Again Water soaking into some heterogeneous Minerals, might cause such a Fermentation, and Explosion as has been observed of a Mixture made of Sulphur and Steel Dust with Water; the Consequence of which no doubt would be an Earthquake-- But the most probable Cause is Air, whose Extremes of Rarefaction, and Condensation are almost if not quite infinite, which consists of such fine Particles as to penetrate the Bowels of the Earth, and is denser the nearer it is to its Center, where some have supposed its Solidity, Density and Gravity little, if any Thing, inferior to Quicksilver. Air then dispersed in Caverns of the Earth would stand in Need of nothing more than a sufficient Degree of Heat, suddenly to expand it, to produce so tremendous an Effect as an Earthquake--And that there is Fire in the Earth's Bowels appears by Mount Etna Vesuvius and others--Also the fiery Eruptions which have been observed to attend Earthquakes, most strongly evidence its Existence. Every Concussion of Air is an Occasion of Sound in a greater or less Degree: therefore as the Atmosphere on all Sides gravitates and presses upon this Earth; 'tis impossible but that a Noise should be consequent, to a Concussion of the Earth. And if I mistake not, it has been observed, in Places which have been sunk, little or no Noise has been perceived, previous to the sinking: the Reason of which I suppose to arise from the Earth's shaking and Air's vibrating then and there to commence: And Places remote, a considerable Noise some Time before the shaking, because the Vibrations of Air being considerably swifter than those of Earth. If so 'tis probable the Place where an Earthquake first commenced might be known; by observing accurately the Seconds of Time from first hearing the Noise and perceiving the Shakes; provided the different Progress of Sound, and Concussions of the Earth were ascertained-- But least some may imagine the Cause of Religion injured, by such Doctrine, which at first may seem to take off the Horror and Consternation such Phenomena throw Mankind into :--It may be observed that a Religion depending on a servile Fear, excited by such surprising Events; will be of short Continuance, and of but little Advantage to its Professors. Nor does it in the least derogate from the divine Perfections, to produce such Effects in a natural Way, and by natural Causes; but rather magnify and extol the great Author of the Universe. What greater Argument of the divine Power and Prescience than to order such a Coincidence of secondary Causes at such and such particular Junctures of Time to awaken and alarm the stupid Sons of Adam.--Nay 'tis my Conjecture the Conflagration will arise from a Coincidence of secondary Causes, rather than by any miraculous Interposition of its Creator: At the destined Period of its Dissolution, perhaps these Flames which now assist in producing partial Concussions will cause a universal Shock.. and no longer be confined within their present Limits, but belching forth, set this Earth on fire; to the Amaze and Surprize of its degenerate and abandon'd Inhabitants.