Nothing could tempt one to commemorate the follies of our cotemporaries, but the hope, it may be useful hereafter: and to show the true cause of this senseless terror; the want of a true sense of religion; and an universal degeneracy, and corruption of manners: begun by the great ones, and now propagated thro' all degrees to the lowest: begun in this great city; and now advancing apace to every great town in the kingdom.
'Tis from the great ones alone, that we can hope for a reformation: and that by a strict observance of the sabbatical duty. Example, we know, governs the actions of mankind. That must restore the practice, and the influence of religion: which alone can prevent the dangers that infest every corner of our streets; every road in the kingdom. We mistake the point, and betray our ignorance in human nature, when we think, acts of parliament, laws, and executions will do it. They are very weak in comparison of the impressions of religion, and conscience: as all philosophy both natural and religious, has hitherto thought, and known.
TO
Martin Folkes, Esq; LL. D.
President of the Royal Society.
Since I had the honour to lay before the Society, in the spring, my thoughts upon earthquakes: we have had many further opportunities of reflecting upon that most awful, and hitherto unusual appearance. An earthquake was felt at Eastwell in Kent, on monday march 12, and on sunday, march 18, at Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and along the coast of Sussex, the isles of Guernsey, Jersey. April 2, a smart earthquake at Manchester, Liverpool, Taunton, Bath, Flint, Lancaster, Wrexham, reaching 40 miles north and south: 70 miles east and west. Since then at Rome, Naples, Leghorn; in the south of France, and at Pau under the Pyrenean mountains: Oporto, at S. Macaire in Guienne, Messina in Sicily, Munich in Bavaria, &c. &c. so that the year 1750, may rather be called the year of earthquakes, than of jubilee. For since February last, when they began with us at London; as far as I can learn, they have appear'd in many parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. And have likewise revisited many counties in our own island, and at length, on the 30th of last september gave much the most extensive shock, we have seen here in our days.
It may be well expected, that these frequent visits, in themselves so very extraordinary, to us so rare, and that in one year, should keep up our attention: and as to my own part, induce one to reflect, on what I before offer'd concerning them; and be a sufficient apology for the present paper.
We have been acquainted, by those who remember it, that in the earthquake of nov. 1703, which happen'd in Lincolnshire, the weather was calm, close, gloomy, warm, and dry; in a degree highly unusual, at that season. And thus it has been with us, all the year. And from the numerous accounts we have receiv'd at the Royal Society, in the beginning, and ending of the year; where any mention is made of the weather; they all agree in the like particular. Which is consentaneous to what I remark'd, as the constant forerunner of earthquakes; and what prepares the earth's surface, for the electrical stroke: which I asserted to be the cause of them.
In may last, we had a paper read at the Royal Society, concerning the second earthquake felt by us at London, on the 8th of march. A shepherd belonging to Mr. Secretary Fox at Kensington (the sky being perfectly serene, and clear) was much surprised with a very extraordinary noise in the air, rolling over his head, as of cannon close by. He likewise thought, that it came from the north-west, and went to the south-east: a motion quite contrary, to what must have been the case, if it were really of cannon. This noise pass'd rushing by him; and instantly he saw the ground (a dry, and solid spot) wave under him, like the face of the river. The tall trees of the avenue, where he was, nodded their tops very sensibly, and quiver'd like a shaken spear. The flock of sheep immediately took fright, and ran all away together, as if dogs had pursued them. A great rookery in the place, were equally alarm'd, and after an universal clangor, flew away; no less than if chaced by hawks.