EARTHQUAKE IN CANADA.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 354, 15 March 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

EARTHQUAKE IN CANADA.

(From the Quebec Chronicle, Oct, 18th.)

About ten minutes before six o'clock yesterday morning, the citizens of Quebec were startled by a shaking of part of the earth's surface, which was felt with more or less violence throughout the city and district. The phenomenon was preceded by a low sound, precisely similar to that caused by heavily laden waggons, and the duration of the principal shock is variously estimated at from thirty to fifty seconds. Immediately after the sound the vibration of the earthquake commenced, and was sufficiently strong to cause itself to be felt even in the largest buildings in the city. The sensation is described, by those who experienced it, as somewhat similar to that felt by a passenger in a railway car just commencing to move, and its shock subsided gradually into an undulating motion, which could be felt within doors several seconds after it had ceased in the streets.

We have not learned that any serious damage was caused, but the effect was sufficiently perceptible to create considerable alarm and excitement. Window glass was broken in considerable quantities, house-bells and door-knockers rang and sounded mysteriously, while crockery and other light articles placed upon shelves were thrown down. Chimneys and high walls oscillated to and fro, to the great alarm of pedestrians, and, in a couple of instances, piles of lumber were overturned. It is remarkable that the shock was much more violent on the low ground of the city along the coves, in the lower town, and in St. lioch's—than on the heights in the Upper Town, or St. John and St. Louis suburbs. The circumstance was exceedingly providential, inasmuch as the same violence of motion which prevailed in St. lloch's might, felt in the higher parts of the city, have disturbed a portion of the cliff and fortifications, and caused a fearful sacrifice of human life.

On the river the effects were scarcely less marked. Schooners lying in the Palais harbour rocked violently backward and forward; while along the coves the shipping experienced a tremor like that produced ay a collision. Immediately outside the city the shock was much more severe than within the limits. On the Little River-road, along the vally of the St. Charles, at Beau port, Charlesbury, Lorette, and Lake St. Charles, it is represented as having beeu so severe that we are only surprised more serious damage was not done. At the latter place the cattle became alarmed, and ran about the fields bellowing loudly. But the phenomenon was not confined to the north shore. A gentleman from Halifax, county of Megontic, last evening, informs us that it was felt in that town-ship with the same symptoms and effects as in this city. A correspondent writing from St. Clristophe d'Arthabaska says:—" We had quite a shock

of an earthquake this morning at six o'clock. It continued two or three minutes. The house moved Ike the rocking of a cradle, or rather the earth trembled; this will better describe the motion."

From one extremity of the country to the other shocks were felt in a greater or less degree. Telegraphic despatches received last evening show that the earthquake extended from Father Point to Belleville, and that its effects at Saco, in the state of Maine, were extremely severe.