"No, Father, but it's so very awful—"
"Very awful," said my Mother, seriously.
"Very awful indeed," said I.
"Well, of course it would be, if it were an Earthquake," says my Father; "but I say 'twas only a Powder-Mill blowing up somewhere, and so you'll see."
When the Apothecary who had set Father's Leg came in, however, he confirmed the general Opinion that there had been a smart Shock of an Earthquake, and added that it had been accompanied by what we had not noticed, namely, a loud crashing or crackling Noise. Everybody that came into the Shop spoke about it; and there was a general Uncomfortableness and Sense of Insecurity.
In the Dusk of Evening, Dr. Elwes looked in on us; and while he remained, Mr. Fenwick came in. Both spoke of the Earthquake, though my Father would not entirely give into it till it was positively ascertained that no Mill had blown up. Dr. Elwes said that the Shock had been felt on both Sides of the River, as far as Greenwich, and remarked that the natural Phenomena of the last Month had surely been such as to awaken the careless and solemnize the thoughtful Mind.
"For Instance," says he, "the new Year was ushered in by a very remarkable Appearance in the Heavens, of a dusky red Light that seemed to gather into a Focus southward, emitting brilliant Coruscations. I was warm in Bed and asleep at the Time, but I heard it from those who saw it, and it was in the public Prints."
I here put in that I had seen it; being on Watch over my Father at the Time, who was then in his Deliration. I had seen a red Light glowing through the white Window-Curtains, and on going to look out, perceived such a ruddy Glow in the Sky that I had surmised a dreadful, distant Fire somewhere. And again, a few Weeks after, Prue and I were wakened in the Night by such an awful Storm of Thunder, Lightning, Rain, Sleet, and Hail, accompanied by terrific Blasts of Wind, as seemed to go nigh to shake the House to Pieces.
"I slept through it all," said my Father.—"However, Patty does not exaggerate, for the Mischief done by that Tempest at Bristol was immense, and filled the Inhabitants with Consternation."