EARTHQUAKE IN ENGLAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 602, 17 September 1853, Page 2

EARTHQUAKE IN ENGLAND.

(From tbe Wutern Times, April 9.) An earthquake is a rare occurrence in this part of (he world— or rather it used to be. We are sorry, however, to see that thii solid globe is getting into a state of levity. There was a reported earthquake at Hereford on Friday week, and one in Southampton on Friday last— which appears to have been the dying motion of a more powerful oscillation extending along the opposite coast of France. We have heard that the shock was felt in Exeter soon after the Gazette got into general circulation last Friday, and it is singular that both these shocks followed the publication of our contemporary each week.

Southampton. — A shock of an earthquake was felt in Southampton on Friday night. Mr. Borrett, a borough magistrate, who resided in the neighbourhood of Mounts Vesuvius during the late eruption, and ex* perienced the earthquakes accompanying that phenomenon, states that at a quarter to eleven on the night in question he was in bed at his residence, Blechynden Terrace, reading, when he was startled with a strange noise, and felt his bed move with a slight sinking rocking motion from east to west three times, and he was at once convinced, from his experience, that the shock he had felt was that of an earthquake. A large number of persons, who were in bed at tbe time, felt the peculiar motion, and it was the theme of conversation next day. Jersey, April 7.— We have been favoured with the following extract from a private letter :— We had an awfully severe shock of an earthquake here last night at about 10*35. I never heard such a terrific noise, or felt a house shake and rock to and fro as did this— a stout stone built one; all the furniture and crockery making a horrible jingle. The vibration of my bed did not cease for about two minutes after the great shock. I Lave heard of but little damage, and of do loss of life.

A letter from Coutances, on the opposite coast of France, of the 2nd, says :—": — " We were very much alarmed last night, at II o'clock, by a shock of earthquake, which was repeated twice within 50 seconds of time. A portion of the ceilings of our upper rooms fell, but no further damage was done. The night was beautifully clear, clouds moving rapidly over the sky, with occasional but stormy gusts of wind. We passed a sltiepless night, and felt some slight shocks at half- past 12 and 4 in tbe morning. The alarm in Coutances was very great. At the cathedral the high altar is slightly injured, the marble slab is displaced, and the crucifix was turned round."

At about 1 1 o'clock on Friday night a smart shock of aa earthquake was felt at Havre. The oscillatory movement was in the direction of N. W. to S. £„ and itg effects wen; more particularly felt at Ingonville and Graville. The atmosphere at the moment was unusually heavy. The shock only lasted about two seconds, but during that time the furnfture, doors, and windows were violently shaken as though a heavily laden waggon was passing along the street. In 1580 there was a shock of earthquake felt at Havre in the month of April during Easter week, and the inhabitants all left tbe churches in alarm. For a long time after that period of the year processions were made by the clergy in order to avert the recurrence of such a calamity.

The shock of earthquake experienced at Havre extended to Caen, where the furniture was moved in the houses, and the barrels set in motion and rolled on the quays. The weather was perfectly calm at the time.