THE EARTHQUAKES IN AMERICA. The Scene of the Disasters.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2214, 16 September 1886, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKES IN AMERICA. The Scene of the Disasters.

Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, the States which seem to have suffered most from the severe earthquake, announced in our telegrams recently, are included among what are known as the Atlantic States of the American Union, and are renowned as the scene of some of the fiercest struggles of the Great American Civil War of 1861-5. Their united area is about 181,000 square miles. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Separated from the Mississippi States by the great mountain chains of the Appalachians and Alleghanies, their physical features are of a very diversified character. Especially is this true of Virginia. East of Richmond is a low alluvial plain, succeeded on the west by a triangular area of undulating land, terminating in south-west mountains. The Blue Ridge, running south-west and north-east through the State, forms the eastern boundary of the fertile Valley of Virginia, a strip of rolling country bounded on the west by the district called Appalachia. The three States of North and South Carolina and Georgia are similar to one another in their physical features, having a mountainous or diversified region in the north-west, succeeded by a belt of country of lower elevation, and then by low and level coast lands occupied by forests and swamps. Off the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia are a number of islands, famous for the production of the fine cotton known a^ " Sea Island Cotton." Though the great mountain chains are of volcanic origin, there is nothing in the character of the conntry to indicate the probability of a great subterraneous disturbance. It is not what is commonly called a "shaky" district, like the western coast of South America, or the thermal springs region of the North Island of New Zealand. PRODUCTIONS AND POPULATION. The mineral wealth of the country is great and varied. Iron, coal, salt, gold (in North Carolina), lead and other valuable minerals exist in the mountainous region in abundance. The vegetable productions are equally valuable. The tobacco of Virginia and North Carolina, the cotton and rice of the Carolinas and Georgia are renowned the world over. Cereals of all descriptions are grown in abundance in all the States, and the forests yield ample supplies of timber. The population of the four States is about five and a-half millions, that of South Carolina, which seems to have suffered the most severely from the earthquake, being about one million. CHARLESTON, three-fourths of which the telegrams state to have been destroyed, is one- of the principal cities in the State, the capital, however, being Columbia. Charleston is situated on the fork of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, about seven miles from the sea. The city was founded in 1672, and its present population is upwards of 50,000 souls. It is the seat of a large trade, especially in the exportation of cotton and rice. Summerville, which is also stated to have been nearly destroyed, is situated on the Charleston and Augusta railroad, about 15 miles in a north-westerly direction from the former city. RICHMOND. In Virginia the earthquake reems to have 'manifested gtent \iolence at Richmond, the capital of the State, and the capital also of the Confederate States during the civil war. It is situated on the left bank of the James river, 150 miles from its mouth. Richmond is a more modern city than Charleston, having been founded in 1742. The population is about 65,000. It is the seat of extensive trade and manufactures, the principal articles of export being tobacco and flower. Both Richmond and Charleston suffered severely from the ravages of war in 1865, but have now recovered from the injuries of their prosperity then inflicted. It is to be hoped that the damage caused b}' the fearful convulsion of nature which has just occurred may also be speedily repaired. — Exchange.

To the question of a religious paper. •' What are our voting men doing ?" a journal replies — •' We can't answer for the rest of the country, but around here they are engaged mainly, trying to lead a £3 existence on a £2 salary." A kobust countryman, meeting a physician, ran to hide himself behind a wall ; being asked the cause, he replied, " It is so long since I have Ijeen sick that I am ashamed to look a physician jn the

In consultation and ordinary practice, said Mr Bettany in his excellent book on " Eminent Doctors," Aberncthy was only rough and hasty when something annoyed him. Toward his fellow-practitioners, who could give a reason for their opinions or their treatment, he was polite, and even deferential. He never recommended interference with judicious plans of cures in order to gain eclat for himself, nor unless some important ends were to be obtained. He was no party to concealment or deception on the friends of patients, and in many cases told the plainest of truths to the patients themselves. *• Pray, Mr Abernethy, what is a cure for gout ?" was the question of an indolent and luxurious citueD. "Live on sixpence a day — and earn it," was the cogent reply. He is reported to have been consulted by the Duke of York, and to have stood before him as usual, whistling, with his hands in his breeches pockets. The astonished duke remonstrated, " I suppose you know who I am!" "Suppose I do," replied Abernethy, " what of that ?" And he advised the duke in reference to his complaint, "to cut off the snpplies, as the Duke of Wellington did in his campaigns, and the enemy will leave the citadel.''