ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

S U M A T R A . 25
Was formed near to the mouth of Padang Goochee, a neighbouring Remarkable
river, fouth of the former, a large plain, feven miles Ions and half effe ? :s f an
°,
.. . °. * . ö earthquake.
a mile broad ; where there had been before only a narrow beach. The
quantity of earth brought down on this occafion was fo confiderable, that
the hill upon which the Englifh refident's houfe ftands, appears, from
indubitable marks, lefs elevated by fifteen feet than it was before the event.
Earthquakes have been remarked by fome to happen ufuaily upon fudden
changes of weather, and particularly after violent heats; but I do
not vouch this upon my own experience, which has been pretty ample.
They are preceded by a low rumbling noife like diftant thunder. The
domeftic cattle and fowls are fenfible of the preternatural motion, and
feem much alarmed ; the latter making the cry they are wont to do on
the approach of birds of prey. Houfes fituated in a low fandy foil are
leaft afte&ed, and thofe which ftand on diftindt hills, fuffer mod from
the fhocks, becaufe the further removed from the center of motion, the
greater the agitation ; and the loofe contexture of the one foundation,
making lefs refiftance than the folidity of the other, fubjedts the building
to lefs violence. Ships at anchor in the road, though feveral miles
diftant from the ihore, are ftrongly fenfible of the concuffion.
Befides the new land formed by the convulfions above defcribed, the *T T ,
•> ' New Land
fea by a gradual recefs in fome parts, produces the fame effe