fame remark has been conftantly repeated to me in every ruined town that I have vifited, that the male dead were generally found under the ruins in the attitude of ftruggling against the danger; but that the female attitude was ufually with hands clafped over their heads, as giving themselves up to defpair, unless they had children near them; in which cafe they always were found clafping the children in their arms, or in fome attitude which indicated their anxious care to protect them-a ftrong inftance of the maternal tenderness of the fex! The only building that remained unhurt at Rofarno was a strong built town gaol, in which were three notorious villains, who would probably have loft their lives had they been at liberty. After having dined in a barrack, the owner of which had loft five of his family by the earthquake, I proceeded to Laureana, often croffing the wide extend

ed bed of the river Metauro.

The environs of Laureana, which ftands on an elevation, is the garden of Eden itfelf; nothing I ever faw can be compared to it. The town is confiderable, but as the earthquake did not come on fuddenly, as in the plain, not a life was loft there; but from a fick nefs occafioned by hardships and fright 52 have fince died. I lodged in the barracks of a fenfible gentleman of Mileto, Don Domenico Acquanetta, who is a principal proprietor of this town. He attended me the next day to the two tenements, called the Macini and Vaticano, mentioned in the former part of this letter, and which were faid to have changed their fituation by the earthquake. The fact is true, and is eafily accounted for. Thefe tenements were fituated in a valley furrounded by high grounds; and the furface of the earth, which has been removed, had been probably long undermined by little rivulets which come from the mountains, and now are in full view on the bare fpot the tenements had deferted. Thefe rivulets have a futfciently rapid courfe down the valley, to prove its not being a perfect level, as was reprefented. I fuppofe the earthquake to have opened fome depo

fitions of rain-water in the clay-hills which furround the valley, which water, mixed with the loose foil, taking its courfe fuddenly through the undermined furface, lifting it up with the large olive and mulberry-trees, and a thatched cottage, floated the entire piece of ground, with all its vegetation, about a mile down the valley, where it now ftands with most of the trees erect. These two tenements may be about a mile long, and half a mile broad. I was fhewn feveral deep cracks in this neighbourhood, not one above a foot in breadth; but which, I was credibly affured, had opened wide during the earthquake, and swallowed up an ox, and near an hundred goats, but no countrymen as was reported. In the valley above-mentioned I faw the fame fort of hollows in the form of inverted cones, out of which, I was affured, that hot water and fand had been emitted with violence during the earthquakes, as at Rofarno; but I could not find any one who could pofitively affirm that the water had been really hot, although the reports which government received affirm it. Some of the fand thrown out here with the water has a ferrugineous appearance, and feems to have been acted upon by fire. I was told, that it had alfo, when frefn, a ftrong finell of fulphur, but I could not perceive it.

From hence I went through the fame delightful country to the town of Poliftene. To pafs through fo rich a country, and not fee a fingle house ftanding on it, is moft melancholy indeed; wherever a house stood, there you fee a heap of ruins, and a poor barrack, with two or three miferable mourning figures fitting at the door, and here and there a maimed man, woman, or child, crawling upon crutches. Inftead of a town, you fee a confufed heap of ruins, and round about them a number of poor huts or barracks, and a larger one to ferve as a church, with the church bells hanging upon a fort of low gibbet; every inhabitant with a delefui countenance, and wearing fome token of having loft a parent.

I travelled four days in the plain, in the midst of fuch mifery as cannot

be

be defcribed. The force of the earthquake was fo great there, that all the inhabitants of the towns were buried either alive or dead under the ruins of their houses in an inftant. The town of Poliftene was large, but ill fituated between two rivers fubject to overflow: 2100 out of about 6000 loft their lives here the fatal 5th of February. The Marquis St. Giorgio, the baron of this country, whom I found here, was well employed in affifting his tenants. He had caused the streets of his ruined town to be cleared of rubbish, and had erected barracks on a healthy fpot near it, for the remainder of his subjects, and on a good plan. He had alfo conftructed barracks of a larger fize for the filkworms, which I found already at work in them. This prince's activity and generofity is moft praife-worthy, and, as far as I have feen hitherto, he is without a rival. I obferved, that the town of St. Giorgio, on a hill about two miles from Poliftene, though rendered uninhabitable, was by no means levelled like the towns in the plains. There was a nunnery at Poliftene: being curious to fee the nuns that had efcaped, I asked the Marquis to fhew me their barracks; but, it feems, only one out of twenty-three had been dug out of her cell alive, and the was fourscore years of age. After having dined with the Marquis in his humble barrack, near the ruins of his very magnificent palace, I went through a fine wood of olive, and another of chefnut trees, to Cafal Nuovo, and was fhewn the fpot on which ftood the houfe of my unfortunate friend the Princefs Gerace Grimaldi, who, with more than four thousand of her fubjects, loft her life by the fudden explofion of the 5th of February (for fo it appears to have been) that reduced this town to atoms. I was told by fome here, who had been dug out of the ruins, that they felt their houfes fairly lifted up, without having had the leaft previous notice. In other towns fome walls and parts of houfes are ftanding; but here you neither diftinguifh street nor houfes: all lie in one confufed heap of ruins. An inhabitant of Cafal Nuovo told me, he was on a hill at the moment of the

earthquake, overlooking the plain, when feeling the fhock, and turning towards the plain, instead of the town, he faw in the place of it a thick cloud of white duft like fmoke, the natural effect of the crushing of buildings, and the mortar flying off.

From hence I went through the towns of Caftellace and Milicufco (both in the fame condition as Cafal Nuovo) to Terra Nuova, fituated in the fame lovely plain, between two rivers, which, with the torrents from the mountains, have, in the courfe of ages, cut deep and wide chafms in the foft fandy clay foil of which the whole plain is compofed. At Terra Nuova the ravine or chafm is not lefs than 500 feet deep, and three quarters of a mile broad. What caufes a confufion in all the accounts of the phenomena produced by this earthquake in the plain, is, the not having fufficiently explained the nature of the foil and fituation. They tell you that a town has been thrown a mile from the place where it ftood, without mentioning a word of a ravine: that woods and corn fields had been removed in the fame manner, when, in truth, it is but upon a large fcale, what we fee every day upon a finaller, when pieces of the fides of hollow ways, having been undermined by rain waters, are detached into the bottom by their own weight. Here, from the great depth of the ravine, and the violent motion of the earth, two huge portions of the earth, on which a great part of the town ftood, confifling of fome hundreds of houfes, were detached into the ravine, and nearly acrofs it, about half a mile from the place where they stood; and what is moft extraordinary, feveral of the inhabitants of thofe houfes, who had taken this fingular leap in them, were, nevertheless, dug out alive, and fome unhurt. I fpoke to one myself who had taken this extraordinary journey in his houfe, with his wife and a maid fervant: neither he nor his maid fervant were hurt; but he told me his wife had been a little hurt, but was now nearly recovered. I happened to ask him, what hurt his wife had received? His answer, though of a very Ggz

ferious

ry serious nature, will, nevertheless, I am fure, make you fmile, Sir, as it did me. He faid, fhe had both her legs and one arm broken, and that the had a fracture on her skull, so that the brain was vifible. It appears to me that the Calabrefi have more firmnefs than the Neapolitans; and they really feem to bear their exceffive prefent misfortune with a true philofophic patience. Of 1600 inhabitants at Terra Nuova, only 400 escaped alive. My guide there, who was a priest and phyfician, had been fhut up in the ruins of his houfe by the firft fhock of the earthquake, and was blown out of it, and delivered, by the fucceeding fhock, which followed the firft immediately. There are many well-attefted inftances of the fame having happened elfewhere in Calabria. In other parts of the plain fituated near the ravine, and near the town of Terra Nuova, I faw many acres of land with trees and corn-fields that had been detached into the ravine, and often without having been overturned, fo that the trees and crops were growing as well as if they had been planted there. Other fuch pieces were lying in the bottom, in an inclined fituation; and others again that had been quite overturned. In one place, two of thefe immenfe pieces of land having been detached oppofite to one another, had filled the valley, and flopped the courfe of the river, the waters of which were forming a great lake: and this is the true ftate of what the accounts ention of mountains that had walked, and joined together, ftopped the courfe of the river, and formed a lake. At the moment of the earthquake the river difappeared here, as at Rofarno, and returning foon after, overflowed the bottom of the ra vine about three feet in depth, fo that the poor people that had been thrown with their houfes into the ravine from the top of it, and had efcaped with broken bones, were now in danger of being drowned. I was affured, that

the water was falt, like that of the sea; but this circumftance feems to want confirmation. The fame reason I have given for the fudden difappearing of the river Metauro at Rofarno will account for the like phenomenon here, and in every part of the country where the rivers dried up at the moment of the earthquake. The whole town of Mollochi di Sotto, near Terra Nuova, was likewife detached into the ravine, and a vineyard of many acres near it lies in the bottom of the ravine, as I faw, in perfect order, but in an inclined fituation; there is a foot-path through this vineyard, which has a fingular effect, confidering its present impracticable fituation. Some water mills, that were on the river, having been jammed between two fuch detached pieces as above defcribed, were lifted up by them, and are now seen on an elevated fituation, many feet above the level of the river.. Without the proper explanations it is no wonder that fuch facts fhould appear miraculous. I obferved in feveral parts of the plain, that the foil with timber trees and crops of corn, confifting of many acres, had funk eight and ten feet below the level of the plain; and in others again I perceived it had risen as many. It is neceffary to remember, that the foil of the plain is a clay mixed with fand, which is easily moulded into any fhape. In the plain, near the fpots from whence the above-mentioned pieces had been detached into the ravine, there were feveral parallet cracks, fo that had the violence of the fhocks of the earthquake continued, thefe pieces alfo would have probably followed. I remarked conftantly in all my journey, that near every ravine, or hollow way, the parts of the plain adjoining were full of large parallel cracks. The earth rocking with viclence from fide to fide, and having a fupport on one fide only, accounts well for this circumstance.

POPE

PE remarked, that an honeft man was the nobleft work of the Almighty! When any human creature

then unites fplendid abilities and en lightened charity with integrity_of moral character, we may furely affert

that

that he approaches perfection as nearly as is allowed to mortality.

The literary talents of Dr. Johnfon have been long known. As a moral writer he ftands without a rival: as a critic, though inferior authors may cavil, he has feldom, perhaps, been equalled. Thefe intellectual powers, however, are his leaft praife: in worth and goodness, he fhines almoft without a competitor. Thofe, who are fortunate enough to be acquainted with him, will inftantly affent to the truth of this affertion. Thofe, whofe partial knowledge of him is gleaned from the daily prints, or from converfation, will not, I imagine, feel much inclined to doubt it, when I mention the names of Mr. Levet, and Mrs. Williams. They both found in him an unalterable friend, and in his houfe, an afylum in their diftrefs. He was as remarkable for the unaffectedness of his character and the goodness of his heart, as SHE was for polifhed tafte and lively converfation.

E

Mr. Levet was a native of Hull in Yorkshire. His hiftory is fingular. Many years ago, in the courfe of his bufinefs as an apothecary, he became unfortunately acquainted with a woman of bad character, who, by pretending ftrong affection, and paffing herfelf off for a lady of family and fortune, inveigled him to marry her. What became of this female we never heard: poor Levet, however, foon found his little fhop ftripped, either in order to fatisfy the demands of her rapacious creditors, or by the hands of this worthlefs creature herself.

In the hour of misfortune, he flew to Johnfon. In him Levet found the true neighbour! Liften, ye who calum niate fuch a character! Attend to the tale, ye who roll in affluence!--and then, " go and do likewife."

The Doctor pitied his hard cafe, and, knowing that fuch a character See the Poetry.

might be expofed to daily impofitions, told him, that there was a room in his houfe, which was much at his fervice, till he could provide himself with a better. The offer was accepted. Levet became an inmate of the Doctor's family. In his houfe he lived-and in his house he breathed his laft, very fuddenly, in January, 1782, at the advanced age of fourfcore, but in full poffeffion of all his faculties.

His mind was not ill-furnished, and his thirst for knowledge was great. His veneration for Dr. Johnfon was exceflive: it was built upon a just sense of his virtues and abilities, as well as upon gratitude. His lofs was feverely felt by his patron, whom he attended with the most affiduous friendship; and affifted all thofe nameless little wants, which the eye of Affection can alone difcover, and the hand of Affection can alone relieve.

While the Doctor's mind was depreffed by the lofs of his favourite attendant, he wrote the elegy on his death, which accompanies this little narrative. Incorrect copies of this effufion of the most friendly regard have been distributed: that which you will now receive, is genuine.

I am afraid that the lofs of Mrs. Williams will be feverely felt by Dr. Johnfon. He faid, many years ago, when he published his Dictionaryt, that he had protracted his work, till moft of thofe whom he wished to please had funk into the grave. His own illness in the fpring must have rendered him lefs able to bear thefe misfortunes. His ftrength of mind, however, as well as the rectitude of his principles, will unite in fupporting him; and I hope that his pen will again delight the public, by uniting entertainment with instruction. I am, Sir, your's, &c.

A Very ambitious French ecclefiaftic, in the reign of Lewis XIV. went to Rome, in hopes of obtaining a car dinalfhip. His views, however, were difappointed, and he returned to Paris, with no other recompence for his trou

S. Y.

ble than a violent cough. Upon which a French marquis, celebrated for his wit, remarked, that it was not at all furprizing that he caught cold, as he had travelled from Rome without a hat.

- POETO

O DE

For the birth-day of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS the PRINCE OF WALES,

On the completion of his Minority, Augufi, 12,
1783.
AIR.

HE priftine morn of BRUNSWICK's reign,
And ripe Augustus tuneful train,

The Mufe's facred, folemn fong engage;
Long as the trumpet voice of fame
Bids blazon round Britannia's name,

The garish day fhall dwell in th' hiftorian's page.
RECITATIVE.

Who, but the parent of all goodTo polifh a bale barbarous brood, To Britons bade the Roman eagle fly? Who banish'd darkling druid gloom? Who bade the fable Saxon bloom? Who caus'd the day-fpring vifit from on high? Who fent the great DELIVERER to the land, And wrought redemption from the hoftile hand? DUE T.

'Twas Heaven! OMNIPOTENCE alone! 'twas he

Whofe word fufpends the raging of the fea-
Alone could calm the tyrant's baneful breath.
RECITATIVE.

Repell'd by freedom, taught to dread
The ire of juftice--hov'ring o'er his head-
The tyrant bow'd-he fled-he funk in death!
AIR.

Then Wisdom, to complete the perfect plan, Chofe blifsful BRUNSWICK!-Britons hail'd

Mature as Auguft's copious train,
Or fragrant fruit, or golden grain,
Mid laughing valleys yielding all their store-
Till the ambrofial board can bear no more.
RECITATIVE.

Then, Britons, all these bleffings prize-
Nor few nor fmall-O may they itill increase,
And make th' unwary wife;

Till found experience can confefs, That" Wildom's ways are pleafantnefs, "And all her paths are peace."

AIR and CHORUS.

As erring Henry founded fame,
By leaving Folly's wily way,
Forfaking darkness, loving day--

Purfuing thoughts fublime, he rais'd a deathlefs

Born to befriend the best, and bless the braveArife-the cruel crush! and all th' oppreffed fave! THOMAS HASTINGS.

An ADDRESS Spoken by Mr. PRESSLEY, af the Theatre Royal, Richmond, in the character of Harlequin, on August 30, 1783.

ROM Norwich to Richmond I came in a crack,
But from Richmond to Norwich how thali I
get back?

The stages: O no; by the wind and the tide,
On foot, or poft hafte, on an elephant ride,-
Before I go farther, your faces I'll fean,

I fee you're good humour'd, aye, all to a man:
But firit it were juft I the fair ones addrets,
As a beau, tho' a itranger, I cannot do lefs.
Nay, frown not, I pray, at this dark-looking face,
[Pointing to his mask

For I like the Great keep my own in a cafe;
And like fome ladies too, if you'd know the truth,
Only their's hide their age, and mine hides my
youth.

This cafe is proof against all forts of weather,
Not a fine blooming red, but a varnish'd black
leather:
[pale,
Neither kiffes nor groans makes me blufh or look
Whilft my delicate face is hid under a veil.
Tho' defcended am I from an old motly tribe,
Whom no pention or title to speak could ere bribe;
Yet good manners fo much on the present age creep, *
That no longer I'm filent, and venture to peep.

[Puts up bis mafk.

Good ladies I'm your's: kind Sirs, your obedient, [To the boxes and pit.

To merit your favour is my next expedient.

[To the gallery. Mr. Johnfon to night does to wonders afpire, And fends for his friend to get into the fire.

[Points to the fiery bogfbead. Oh, friendship! how warm and fincere is thy flame, When it glows with fuch heat, who can fay 'tis a [praife;

name.

Oh! Ambition! how great when we thirst after
Ambition may chance to fet me on a blaze.
Adieu, my good friends [to the orchestra] and you
knights of the bow,

Pray, play a foft air, or a dance, ere I go.
To your tweet gentle ftrains, thro' the flames I'll
my way pick,

And return back to Norwich thro' fire by mufick. [Leaps through the fiery boghead.