TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 53

TABLE TALK.

Friday evening. Last Friday evening Mrs Thos. Boss gave a delightful children’s fancy dress dance at the Strand Salon, George street. The children’s pleasure being varied by games and competitions. A number of grown-up guests joined in finishing up with a fox trov.

On Tuesday Mi&s Laidlaw gave a bridge evening for Miss Knott (-Sydney). The guests were Misses Gallaway, Bell, Bridgeman, Edmond, Messrs J. Laidlaw, Rich, Gibbs, livine, A. Sise, Sinclair.

On Wednesday the Otago Girls High School sports were held on the Caledonian Ground. The attendance was fairly good, the Boys’ High School being well represented. The weather was cold and wintry, which undoubtedly prevented a number of people being present. The Senior Championship for the school was won by P. Lawson with 14 points, I. Nisl>?t with 12 points carrying off the Junior Championship. On Friday St. Ki Ida’s Collegiate School held their sport* on the Caledonian Ground, and were favoured with fine weather. A large attendance of parents and friends were present. The attendance at the Art Gallery has been -good throughout the week, the afternoon teas being particularly attractive. Mrs and Miss Bell (Shag Valley) have been staying at the Grand Hotel this week. - Mr and Mrs Harmcui Reeves have returned from Christchurch. Mrs R. Rhodes (Tim-aru) has been in town for a few days. Mrs Holmes Warren (Masterton) and Mrs Bullock, Wellington, spent a few days in town this week. Mr and Mrs H. S. Fenwick have returned from Ha nine r Springs. Mrs Petre (St. Clair) has returned from Christchurch. Mrs J. Reid (Burnside, Oamaru), who paid a short visit to her mother, Lady M‘Lean, leturncd home this week. Miss Fenwick has returned from Auckland. Monday. On Saturday morning, at 11 a.m., a quiet and pretty wedding took place at St. Peter s Church, Caversliam, when Miss May Ewing, youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Robert Ewing, St. Clair, was married to Mr Snow, of Beaumont Station, Southland. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr E. L. Macassey. She wore a dainty and becoming gown of pale pink, large black hat, and carried a bouquet of pale pink flowers. She was attended by her syater, M-iss Freda Ewing, who was attired in a pretty lemon-coloured gowp, large black hat, and carried a bouquet of shades of heliotrope flowers. The Rev. George Turner conducted the wedding ceremony, after wliich the guests were entertained by Mr and Mrs E. L. Macassey at their residence, St. Clair. The wedding breakfast table was beautifully arranged with pale xnnk flowers to tone in with the bride’s gown. The guests included Mrs Snow, mother of the bridegroom, Mr and Mrs C. Kain, and Mrs and Miss Macassey, Mrs and Miss Bell, Mrs Ernest Macassey, Misses Samson, etc. On Saturday evening Miss Sise entertained some friends at bridge, of whom were Mes dames Stock, M‘Kibbin, Cheeseman, Fenwick, Finch, Oldham, Black, Batchelor, Cook, Misses F. Rattray. Denniston. « Miss Leslie LeCren has returned fro-m a trixi to England. Mr Chamberlain and the Misses Jackson have gone to Manapouri for a few weeks. INVERCARGILL, November 17. Mrs C. H. Roberts (Gladstone), who has been visiting friends at Kelso, returned homo this week. Dr Mary Armor is the guest of Mrs Boyes, Gladstone, during her visit to Invercargill. Dr and Mrs Hunter (Don street) are on a visit to Stewart Island, and are staying at their newly-acquired House, Thuile. Miss Broderick has gone away for a short holiday. Mrs Lillicrap (North End) gave a very enjoyable- tea at tier home on Saturday for Mrs and Miss Hawlev. prior to their leaving* Invercargill for Auckland, where they will make their future home. Mrs Owen, who has been staying with Mrs Owen Johnstone, 'Northern!, has loft for the north. Mrs H. B. Macdonald gave a dance recital on Wednesday in the Municipal Theatre. The building was packed, and the children gave some very unique displays of their different little plays. The dresses were very pretty. A s-cene fiom "The Sheik, with Miss Mona Muir (Asia), Mr Paul Longue t(dresed in Eastern attire), as principal

characters, did very well. Some present were Mr and Mrs O’Bierne. Mr Bunting, Mrs T. Millar. Mrs Newton, Mrs J. Watson, Dr and Mrs J. G. Macdonald, Mrs H. Rovds, Mrs Rodger, Mrs R. B. Caws, Mrs Mitchell, Mr M. Mitchell, Airs Strettell, Mrs Quinn, Mrs D. Macpherson. Miss B. Macpherson, Mrs A. Macdonald, Mrs Wvli-e, Miss Hunter, Mrs Chewing. A novel entertainment was arranged by Miss Quick in aid of St. John’s Church funds, on Monday and Tuesday evenings, in Victoria Hall. The performers were mostly children, and gave a representation of Mrs Jarley’s Waxworks. The- performance reflected great credit ou the organiser. There was also a "Mock Court." creating good amusement, as also did "Miiss Milligan’s School.”

TIAIARU, November 17. Mrs Elworthv (Claremont) and Mias illworthy have returned from Christchurch. Mrs Cut-ten is leaving this month for a visit to England. Dt and Mr* Ulrich (Elizabeth street have returned from the north.

Mrc Mutheson (Tighnafeile) and Miss MathfAion are spending a few days in Wellington. Mu’? Marion Fenwick ha* returned to Dunedin. Air and Mrs Cresswell (Highfield) have returned from Dunedin. Mris Hunter-Brown (Nelson) is staying with Mrs Mirams, Beverley road. Mrs George Rhodes (Christchurch) and Miss Shona Rhodes are spending a fortnight in Timuru. Mr and Mrs Wigram (Christchurch) were at the Hydro for tlie week-end. Miss Nceline Wright (Wai-iti road.) h*ae returned from Mount Peel. Miss Buchanan (Crofton) hac returned from .Rotorua Mr and Mrs E. G. Hawns ley (Perth street) are at Hanmer fo_* some weeks. Mr and Mrs Gladstone Robinson (Oakwood) are expected from England next month. Mr and Mrs Herbert El worthy (Craigmore) have returned from Moeraki. Mis* White (Grasmere) ha* returned from. Rhodesia. CHRISTCHURCH. November 17. Mrs Cutten is leaving by the Ruahine for a trip to England, to visit her daughter*. Her daughter, Mrs Millar, Hanmer Springe, and her granddaughter, Mis* Alice M'Laren, have come to Christciurch to see her before she leaves New Zealand. Mr and Mrs E. G. Norman, who have been spending six month* in England, returned to Christchurch by the Orvieto.

Mis* Wvnn-Williams (Merivale lane) ha* taken Mr Clark’s house at Sumner. At present Mr and Mrs Veeey Hamilton are her guests. Mr and Mrs Deverell and family, who are shortly leaving for England, are going on Monday to Warwick House, where they will spend a week before sailing. Mr and Mrs Charles Findlay and Misa Betty Findlay (Taieri), who have been in town for the Cup week, motored home on Monday. Mr and Mrs 11. F. Wigram have returned from a short visit to Timuru. Mrs and Miss El worthy, who have been spending a few weeks in Christchurch, returned to Timaru on Wednesday. A delightful subscription dance organised by Mr Fred Cracroft Wilson was held last Thursday night in the- Winter Garden*. Many of the dancers, of whom there were about 40 couples, were visitors I>. Christchurch for the race week gaieties. The ladies included Mr’ss Frances Cracroft Wilson, who wore hyacinth blue taffetas, with lace overskirt and tiny Vandykes finishing the corsage; Miss Doris Cra-cfoft yWilson. black satin and cliantilly lace, and sash lined with cerise satin; Mrs Kenneth Macdonald, pretty frock of eau de nil satin, the skirt looped over a silver lace lace underskirt, and the waist defined with plaited silver girdle and finished with a bunch of violets at the waist; Mrs William Deans, uncommon frock of silver with one side of the bodice, and short jupe of floral taffetas; Mrs J. Barker, black lace, banded with gold lace insertion, over satin, with electric blue sash; Mrs J. H. Grigg, shot gold taffetas, very simply made, with waistband of narrow jade ribbon; Mrs Erie Riddiford, beautiful frock of blue panne velvet, one side of the corsage being composed of gold lace and streamers of gold and cherry ribbon falling from the waist; Miss Joclyn Pyne, lilac sou pie satin, with lace overskirt; Miss Jocelyn Bloomfield (Auckland), flame taffetas with tulle waterfall side-panels; Mrs George Reid, pretty cameo pink georgette frock with gold tissue Corsage, and skirt of tiny frills; Miss Rachel Elworthy, ivory taffetas patterned in pink roses, with underskirt of silver lace; Misa Betsy Reeves jade georgette, petal frock; .Miss Sybil Johnson, black satin and radium lace; Miss Barbara Cowlishaw, pretty powder blue georgette with silver girdle; Misa Peggy Palmer, charming frock cf black taffetas, with overdress of black georgette patterned with cherry-fed flowers: Mies Fanny Fox, old gold taffetas frock: Miss R ta Gibson, Vack georgette; Miss Nancy LeCren, black lace over satin with jet trimming, and sash of cerise and gold brocade; Mis* Betty Northcote, rose-pink shot taffetas, with underskirt of ivory lace: Mrs Frank Wilding, mauve shot taffetas; Miss Deris Barker, paon blue shot taffetas, the waist defined with tiny pink rosebuds; Miss Taverner, primrose satin and lace; Miss Alison Stott (Wellington) dainty petal frock of nasturtium georgette; Miss Sinelair-Lockhart, cream, lace over satin with waistband of flowers; Miss Peggy Norton, handsome frock cf deep rose pink taffetas and radium lace. The beautiful old garden at Burfield. tha residence of the Misses Bromley Cocks, presented a charming and animated appearance on Wednesday afternoon, when a garden fete in aid of the St. Augustine Vicarage fund* was opened by her Excellency Viscountess Jellicoe, who was presented with a bsautiful bouquet of roses bv little Roma Broadway. Gail” decorated stalls were erected under the fine old trees, an orchestra was installed on the wide verandah, and Aunt Sally and all kinds of side-shows provided entertainment for Ihe many paircns. a few of whom were Archbishop and Miss Julius, the Miisae* Bromley Cocks, Dr and Mrs Thacker, Lady Denniston, R°v. W. P. and Mrs Hughes, Mr* J. and tlie Misses Cracroft Wilson. Rev. H. ,S. and Mrs Leach. Rev. C. and Mrs Maclavertv, Mrs Croasdaile Bowen. Airs I*, u. Blunt, Miss Meredith. Mrs Bruges. Mr* Rankine Brown, Rev. H. and Mr* Nelson Wright. Mrs Hubert Jones. Rev. 11. N. and Miss Roberts, Mrs Darwin. Mrs Harding, Mrs Booker. All's ALalimr, Atr* Bluckbume, Rev. J. H. Rogers, Airs J. Holland, Mr and Al*s Hogg, Mrs Leonard Clark, Airs Richard Afoore. Mrs Rov Sellers, Airs Broadway, Mrs J. C. Bradshaw, Airs C. AVvnn Williams, Airs Eric Harper, and Airs Hugh A eland.

The engagement is announced of Miss j Molly Hanlon, only daughter of Mr and Mrs R. D. Hanlon, of Tinakori road. Wellington, to Mr Keith Siddells. the youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. Siddells, of Guyton street, Wanganui. The engagement is P.nnoinir-1 of Mrs* Kathleen Black, daughter of Mr and Mr* Frederick Black. Sentoun, Wellington, and Professor P. W. Burbidge, of Auckland University College. The engagement is also announced of Marion, third daughter of Air and Mrs C. 7’. Williams, of Pelleknow's. Dunedin, and James, son of Mr and Mrs A. Hughe*, Rangiora, Canterbury. BLENHEIM. November 15. , On Friday tli? Wesley Hal! imeented at I gav appearance when the annual Barnardo i Day of the Blenheim habitat i n hold a | bazaar in order to raise funds for the Bari nardo Institution. The president (Mrs Ilef--1 feih was in charge, and the secretary (Mies j Jenkins) was kept busy sce.ng the function

jarriod out ?urce&Mu!ly. T!ic Laziar w:is formally declared open in the after, loon L> ' his Worship tho May* r (Mr E. S. Parker). The various stallholders were as follow: - Flowers, Mesdames .Soott and Horton; 6v*ects. Mesd: mes Fox and Mills; produce, Afnodamrs Todd . r.d Gascoigne; work Mesdames Heifer, Dineen. Cook, and Tidy; refreshment room—Mesdames Young, Churchward. and Wbitcford. Mrs Tien nett has returned from visiting her brother. Mr S. Paul, East Coast. Mr, Mrs, and Miss Corry have returned from on overland lour to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs T. I*’. Helling have relumed from a motor trip south, whore they attended the Christchurch carnival. Mr and Mrs E. J. Harvey and Mrs A. Diircan have returned from visiting Christchurch. Mr and Mrs Sprosou (Dunedin) are spending a holiday in Blenheim, and are staying at the Club He tel.

Air and Mrs W. G. Rudd have returned fre m visiting Canterbury. Mrs R. M‘C;»!iuni has returned to Argyle after a lengthy visit to the North Island. Mrs Ratter (Pict-on) is the guest of Mis Raymond'Smith, Maxwell road. Mr Checkley lists arrived from England. ;u d is visiting Wolds II ill Miss Barr.icott (Wellington) ; s the of Mis L. Chaytor at Marshlands. Miss Nancy ]*-:• illio is visiting Mrs C'ox in Maxwell road. Miss Isabel Chaytor has left England, awl will be here about January. Misses Huddleston (ii s are visiting Tin-aru. (i REYAT O ITT If, No vein ber iG. Mrs If. Harley and her sister, Aliss Ilambleton, have gone to Christchurch and Ha rimer for a short holiday. Mrs and Miss Thomas arc spending a holiday at llarmor.

Mrs F. S'h illcrass is also spending a few weeks at Hanmer. Airs G. T. AIo-ss 13 visiting her- daughter, Airs W. Revi.agtion, who now resides in Christchurch. Air J. Hannan is visiting Christchurch on business. Air r.ud Airs AI Fogarty,* who have been in Christchurch for tlie races, returned by Tuesday evening's express. Air and Airs H. Kitchingham, who have been in Christchurch for Carnival Week, returned last night. Oil Monday evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hull, the members of the ..Caledonian Society met to bid farewell and make presentations to their chief Air Peter Mackenzie, and his two daughters, who, •unfortunately, owing to sickness, were unable to be present. Air D. Tennant, on behalf of the society, presented a beautifully-illuminated address to Chief Mackenzie, and in a few words expressed the regret of himself and society at his departure from amongst them. Air Alackenzie, on behalf of his wife and daughters, expressed the warmest thanks for the beautiful address, and the kindly sentiments uttered by Air Tennant, and regretted very much their departure from amongst so many kind friends. During the evening an excellent programme was rendered by' Airs ATQueen, Aliases Tennant (2), Brebner, Ferguson, M'Minn, and Robb, Messrs Douglas and Kitchingham, and Air H. Smith (Reefton). Some of those present were Mesdames Alackenzie, Orr, Baxter, Janies Cochrane, Clark (2), Alason, Tennant, Bush, Al'Queen, Alexander, Al ‘ Ivu v, Robb, AI*M inn, Agnew, M‘Laugh 1 in, Hamblet-on «2), Drake, Stewart’ Sword, Kear, ARGlashan, etc.. Aliases Tennant (2), Baxter, Bush (3), Conway, O’Brien, Johnston, Orr, Brebner, Dodson, Alabin, Armstrong, etc.. Messrs ATLean, APGlashan, Hambleton (2), Armstrong', Douglas, Gilmoui’, Paterson, APCa.ium, Lindsay, MQueen, Pearson, Barrowman 2), Al'Lauchlin, Cochrane, Al‘Kay, etc. WELLINGTON, November 15. Airs Tilly is visiting Wanganui. Alias Winifred C'oiill Wellington) is the guest of Alisa Barr, Havelock North. Airs Young, of Christchurch, left Wellington, by the Maunganui on Wednesday for a visit to her daughter, Airs Winter Hall, Los Angeles, wife of the well-known picture actor. Mrs Young will be- absent for about six months. Aliss L 11a Bourne, the well-known Australian pianistc, spent part of Tuesday in Wellington on her way from Australia to America. Aliss Bourne is a distinguished accompanist, having played at several of pa me Alelba’s concerts in Australia. She is probably better known on the gramophone, and her renderings of such pieces as Chammode’s “Pierrette” and “Danse Creole” have made her records very popular. " An interesting visitor to Wellington just row is Airs Wilson, wife of the late Dr Wilson, who was a member of the ill-fated Scott Antarctic expedition. Airs Wilson arrived by the Maunganui on Tuesday, and is at present staying with Air and Airs Burnett Later she leaves for Christchurch, and will spend some time in New Zealand. Airs Wilson was one of the foremost workers in the New Zealand War Contingent Association in London during the war. A. very cordial welcome was given to Airs Wilson, who arrived in Wellington on Tuesday by the committee of the Wellington branch of (he New Zealand Red Cross "and Order of St. John. Airs Wilson was a very keen worker with the New Zealand War Contingent Association in London while the war was on, before the New Zealand Red Cross was formed, and although the notice of her arrival was brief, practically all the members were able to attend the afternoon tea which was arranged in .her honour. The Hon. Dr Collins. M.L.C., briefly welcomed the guest of the gathering, and a very pleasant time ensued. Among tlie.se who W er~ ; also present were Mrs AL Alyers, Mrs Adams, ! Mrs Rose. Airs Herzog, Mrs Moorhouse. Airs j Barthrop, Mrs Louis Blundell, Messrs ' Holmes, Yeitch, Tripp. Burnett, and Shirt- ! cliffe. The chairman, Air Hunt, was unable i to be present. Mrs Alabaster has returned to Christchurch from Wellington , Mrs Field Porter has returned* to New Zealand from Thursday Island, and is slaving with her sister. Airs A. N. Burns, Kelburn. M'ss Coates is visiting Auckland. Mrs Herbert Kirkcaldie and Alias Comerford have returned from Christchurch. Aliss Main e ( G rev mouth) is v isitin gWe I - li ngton. Airs I'. J. Seddon has returned from C'h ristchurch. Air and Airs E. J. White hovo returned from Christchurch. Alias Dorothy Sweet lias returned (o flic Tv in g Count. r v from We! 1i 11 gton, w lie re she was the guest of Airs C’. Richardson. Air and Airs Armstrong Akitio) .have returned front Christchurch.

AUCKLAND. November 15. The last of the series of luncheon talks at the Auckland Women’s Club took place last week, when Dr Buck gave a clever and interesting address on “The 'Status of Polynesian Women," which was greatly appiecLa tecl by those members who were present. The season of the literary circle of the club has also been closed, a most successful evening having* been held on Friday evening last week, when the Rev. W. G. Alonckton gave an address on “Poets of t lie Nineteenth Century." Throughout the lecture Air Alonckton quoted lines from many of the poets, and also gave various anecdotes of personal meetings with modern poets, such as Lord Houghton and Francois Coppae (the French poet). His Majesty’s Theatre is at present in the occupation of the Louis Bennison Company, who are having splendid houses. “Johnny, Get Your Gun" was staged last week, and was replaced by “The Grexri Lover," which is having a most successful season. Both farces are bright and breezy and decidedly original. Mrs Ernest Bloomfield (Victoria avenue, Rcm.uera) gave a large fancy dress ball in honour of the twenty-first birthday of her only daughter, Alisas Margot Bloomfield, who, as a Persian orange-seller, was most attractive. Mrs Bloomfield wore a lovely frock of shell-pink souple satin, and her hair was pondered. Aliss L’Estrange Nolan was a hatem woman; Airs Bridie (Wellington), an Italian peasant; Mrs Trevor Holmden, an Arab woman; Miss Phyllis Bloomfield, a jazz powder puff; Mi&s Alice Savage, a black Columbine; Aliss E. Foster, black and write Pierrette; Air Roy Binney, Early Victorian; Mr Kcnne-th Bloomfield, cowboy; Dr Kirker, Columbine; Miss E. Foster, black and white Beauoaire. Aliss Jean Upfiil, who is to be married next month, was the guest of honour at a gift tea given by Alias Phyllis Alexander at her home, Omahu road, Remuera. The gifts were all in varying shades of mauve, and a great part cf the afternoon was taken up *in the unwrapping of them, a duty which was performed by the chief guest amid much pleasurable excitement. Mrs Alexander's frock of black georgette was embroidered in kingfisher blue; Aliss Alexander wore a frock of floral silk with narrow girdle of green and silver; and* Aliss Jean Upfill’s frock of silver grey and saxe blue was embroidered in steel l>e>ads, and she wore a black hat wreathed with fruit. Some of those present were Airs and Miss Enid Upfiil, Airs N. Pierce, Airs Douglas Alacfarlane, Airs N. Brett, Aliss L’Estrange Nolan, Aliss Towle, Aliss Alartin, Alias Freda Rat hb one, Mias Lamer, Aliss Kitty Knight-, and Miss Shakespeare, etc. Aliss Coates (Wellington) is the guest of Mrs Seymour Thorne George, Parnell. Aliss A. Studholme -(Canterbury) 13 the guest of Mrs E. AI agin re. Airs O’Donnell, who lias been on a visit to the Islands, returned home last week.

Aliss Rawson Plymouth) is visiting Auckland, and is staying with Airs Trevor Simpson. Miss Eva Kissling returned to New Zealand last week by the Port Dennison, and is making a stay of some six months with her relatives in Parnell, t3T Descriptions of balls, Ao., mast be endorsed by either the Witness correspondent for tilt district or by the secretary of the ball committed. The MS. of any correspondents who do not comply •nth this rule will be sent to the secretary fair indorsement prior to appearing. WEDDING AT FIRST CHURCH. A very pretty wedding, and one of much interest, was celebrated at First Church on Wednesday, November 8, when Aliss Alona Cameron, only daughter of Air and the late Airs John Cameron, cf 31 Alary hill terrace, Alornlngton, was married to Mr Robert ARAdum Aloffat, second son of the late John and Jessie Al.ffat, of Westport. The marriage ceremony was conducted by the Rev.'G. H. Balfour, Air V. Galway presiding at the organ. The church was artistically decorated with large bowls of Solomon’s seal and red. poppies, mauve and pale pink anemones, and white rhododendrons. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a beautiful cream duchess mousseline frock with panels of gold lace. She wore a hand-embroidered veil, arranged tiara fashion, and carried a bouquet cf Aiarcchal Neal roses, lily of the valley, and white rhododendrons. The chief bridesmaid, Alisss Alary Aloffat (sister of the bridegroom, wore a pretty saxe blue silk frock.* and a cream straw picture hat, and carried a bouquet of blue sweet peas and pink roses. The second bridesmaid, Aliss Isabel Watkins, locked dainty in a pretty apricot georgette frock, with a black lace hat, an carried a bouquet of apricot azalias and cream Alareclial Neal roses. Air Gordon Mimro officiated as best man and Mr Laurie Fogo as groomsman. After the ceremony between 50 and 60 guests adjourned to the Overseas Club Room, where they sat down to the good things provided. The Rev. G. H. Balfour presided, and toasts were enthusiastically honoured. The happy couple receive 1 many handsome presents, and telegrams from all parts of New Zealand. Songs were rendered by Al’sscs Ruby Clarke and Annie Calder and Air AI. Ryan; Mrs Andrew Reekie as accompanist. Mr and Alis Aloffat left for their honeymoon by motor, Airs Aloffat wearing a nigger brown tailored, costume. swede shoes, and silk stockings to match, and a pretty smart hat trimmed with putty-coloured silk and vieux rose flowers.

A CONTEMPORARY NARRA TIVE OF THE GREAT LISBON EARTHQUAKE.

Tile destruction wrought- by the Chilian earthquake of a few (lays ago seems to have been less terrible than was indicated bv tile til st reports. A toll of 2000 victims, though a heavy enough loss, and accompanied bv incalculable distress and suffering of bereaved survivors, is yet light in comparison with the human holocausts claimed by many previous earthquakes in South America itself and in other regions of the globe. But it is to be feared that many more deaths will follow from injuries received, and from the destitution and disease that almost inevitably follow on the wrecking of towns and the destruction of water and drainage systems and.of roads. Earthquakes and the allied catastrophe of volcanic outbursts seem to occur in groups ; for a long time the earth enjoys tranquility : then for a few years many natural convulsions follow on one another. There may be some illusion about this, for disturbances in unpeopled or wholly uncivilised regions will attract little attention ; before the science introduced methods of recording earth tremors many such would remain unknown. Still, it does seem that there are periods of eaitliquake and volcanic activity, the cause of which science may one day fully explain. The earlier years of this century

witnessed many natural convulsions. There was the frightful volcanic outburst of Mount Pelee in 1902, and the yet more destructive earthquake of Messina in 1908, with many other catastrophes, including the Nan Francisco earthquake. During the great war few natural convulsions occurred ; it seemed as if nature mercifully forebore to add ber own ravage to that wrought by man. It may be that another period of natural unrest is now in progress. Among great earthquakes of modern times one of the most impressive was that which destroyed Lisbon in 1755. Its effects were comparatively local, though it was felt in the British Isles, and as far away us the West Indies. But Lisbon was utterly wrecked, with a computed Slaughter of 60,C00 persons. The shock was accompanied by a tidal wave, which at (,'auiz is stated to have risen to sixty feet. A long and full account of this disaster was written by an Englishman, who was in Lisbon at the time. It was 'published in 1887 in a volume of letters oy a clergyman, the Rev. Charles Davey, but there is some uncertainty whether he was the narrator or whether the account was given him by an English merchant resident in Lisbon at the time. I select some portions of the description, written but a few days after the catastrophe:— "There never was a finer morning seen than the Ist of November : the sun shone put in its full lustre; the whole face of the sky was perfectly serene and clear: and not the least signal or warning of that approaching event which lias made this once flourishing, opulent, and populous city a scene of the utmost Itorror and desolation, except such as served to alarm, but left scarcely a moment’s time to fly from the general destruction.” The | narrator tells how he was sitting in his 1 room between nine and ten in the morning, finishing a letter, when the papers | and table began to tremble with a I gentle motion. 'JTien the house began to shake, and a dull rumbling like distant thunder was heard from underground. He remembered an earthquake he had experienced in Madeira, which did little damage, and waited a few seconds, undecided whether or not to leave the house. “But in a moment I was roused from my dream, being instantly stunned with a most horrid crash, as if every edifice in the city had tumbled down at once. The house L was in shook with so much violence that the upper storeys immediately fell, and though my apartment (which was first floor) did not then share the same fate, yet everything was thrown out if its place, in ouch a manner that it was with no small difficulty I kept my feet, and expected nothing less than to be soon crushed to death, as the walls continued rocking to and fro in the frightfullest manner, opening in several places; large stones falling down on every side from the cracks, and the ends of the rafters starting out from tho roof. To add to this terrifying scene the sky in a moment became so gloomy that 1 could now distinguish no particular object ; it was an Egyptian darkness indeed, such as might be felt; owing no doubt to the prodigious clouds of dust and lime raised from so violent a concussion, and. as some reported, to sal phureous exhalations, but this I cannot affirm ; however it is certain I found myself almost choked for near ten minutes. "As soon as the gloom began to disperse, and the violence of the shock seemed pretty much abated, the first object 1 perceived in the room was a woman sitting on the floor with an infant in her arms, all covered with dust, pale and trembling. I asked her how j she got hither, but her consternation was j so • great she could give me no account of her escape. 1 suppose that when the I tremor first began she ran out of her own house, ■ami finding herself in such imi inincut danger from the tailing stones, retired into the door of mine, which was 1 almost contiguous to hers, for shelter, and when the shock increased which filled the door with dust and rubbish, ran upstairs into my apartment, which was then open : be it as it might, this was no time for curiosity. I remember the poor creature asked me in the utmost agony if 1 di I not think the world was at an end: it the siime time she complained of being choked, and begged, for Hod s sake, 1 I would procure her a little iliiuk. i/pon j this I went to a closet where I kept a ; large jar of water (which you know is j sometimes a prettv scarce commodity in Lisbon), but finding it broken in pieces. I told her she must not now think of ! quenching her thirst, but saving her life, I as the house was just falling on our heads, ami if a second shock came would eer j taiuly bury us both. 1 bade her take I bold of my arm, and said that I would i endeavour to bring her into some place of | security. ’ He tells how they were making their way along a street opening to the Tagus : on coming to a pile of ruins he had to let go his hold of the woman, “at winch instant there fell a vast stone from a tottering wall, and crushed both her and the child in pieces. So dismal a spectacle at anv other time would have affected me in the highest degree, but the dread I was in of sharing the same fate myself, and the many instances of the same kind which presented themselves all around were too shocking to make me dwell a moment on this single object. I ; had now a long narrow street to pass, with the houses on each side four or five storeys high, all very old, the greater part already thrown down or continually falling, amt threatening the passengers with inevitable death at step, numbers of whom lay killed before me. or what I thought far more deplorable—so bruised and wounded that they could net stir to help themselves. For my own part, as destruction appeared to me unavoidable. 1 only wished 1 might be made an end of at once, and not have niv limbs broken, in winch rase I could export nothing else but to be left upon the spot, lingering in misery, like these poor, unhappy wretches, without receiving the least suc-

tour froiu any person.” At last lie readied an open space before St. Paul’s Chiirdi - -thrown down by the shock. Here was a great concourse of panic-stricken people with many priests in their sacerdotal vestments as Uiev had run out from ivWh a ting mass. i!e noted sp.iial'y one venerable old priest moving about among Hi. peop.e exhorting them to repentance, and endeavouring to comfort them. . . . . "In the midst of our devotions the second great shock came, little less violent th m the first, and completed the ruin of the buildings, which bad been already much shattered. . . . You may of the force of this shock, when 1 inform yon that it was so violent that 1 could scarce keep on my knees ; but it was attended with some circumstances sliil more dreadful than the former. On a Midden I heard a general outcry, "the si ais coming in, we shall be lost." I’ on this, turning rny eyes towards the liter, which in that place is near four miles broad, 1 could perceive it heaving and swelling in a most unaccountable manner, as no wind was stirring. In an instant there appeared, at sume small distance, a large body of water, rising as it were like a mountain. It came on foaming and roaring, and rushed towards the snore with such impetuosity that we all immediately ran for our lives as far as possible : many were actually swept away, and the rest above their waist in water at a good distance from the banks, for my own part I had the narrowest escape, and should certainly have been lost had I not grasped a large beam that lay on the groin id till the water returned to its channel, which it did almost at the same instant with equal rapidity. ... 1 stood some time, and observed the ships tumid lug and tossing about as in a violent

storm ; some had broken their cables and were carried to the other side of the Tagus, others were whirled about with incveuible swiftness; several large boats were turned keel upwards; and all this without any wind, which seined the- more astonishing. It was at the time of which I am now speaking that tiie fine new quay, built entirely of rough marble, at an immense expense, was entirely swallowed up, with all the people on it, who had fled thither for .safety, and luid reason to think themselves out of danger in such a place ; at the same time a great number of boats and small vessels near it (all likewise full of people, who had retired thither for the same purpose), were all swallowed up as m a whirlpool and never more appeared." The captains of vessels authored within a few hundred yards of the quay described how with the second shock the Whole city waved backwards and forwards, how their own anchors were uprooted and tossed to the surface, while the quay, with the crowds upon it sank down, and the boats and vessels by it. were engulfed, not a sign of a wreck afterwards Appearing. It seems that a chasm opened in the sea floor, swallowing up the quay and the craft sucked into the whirlpool. A third shock followed and the sea rushed hi again, and continued for some time rushing in and retiring. The writer tells how he sought the Mint, a low, strong building, which withstood the shocks, and found there a young officer of only seventeen or eighteen, hold ing his post, though the soldiers of his guard had fled. On the Englishman expressing admiration at Ids courage he answered that though he were sure the earth would open and swallow him up lie scorned to think of flying from bis post. ‘ in short, it was owing to the magna

mini tv of this young man that the Mint, which at this time had two millions of money in it, was not robbed : and indeed I do him no more than justice in saying that I never saw anyone behave with equal serenity and composure on occasions much less dreadful than the present." Then, as the shocks seemed to have subsided, the writer went in search of a. friend, through scenes of horror past description. "I could hardly take ' a single step wiihout treading on the dead or the dying." He found his friend's house and everything near it in ruins, and had to abandon hope of finding him. ■‘As soon as it grew dark, another scene presented itself little less shocking than those already described ; the whole city appeared in a blaze. It may be said without exaggeration that" it wa.s on fire in at least a hundred different places at once, and thus continued burning for

six days together without intermission or the least- attempt being made to stop its progress." The writer gives a harrowing account of the scenes in the ruined city, with gangs of marauders prowling about in search’ of booty and unburied bodies polluting the air. The narrator writes from the outskirts of the ruined city, "where I still rejrnin, with a great number of mv countrymen, as well a= Portuguese, in the same wretched circumstances, having almost ever since lain on the ground, and never once within doors., with scarcely any covering to defend me from the inclemency of the night, air. which at this time is” exceedingly sharp and piercing. . . . Rich and poor are at present upon a. level; some thousands of families which but the day before had been easy in their eireunistances bc-hig now scattered about in the fields, wanting every convenience- of life, and finding none able to relieve them.”