We mentioned in a very brief form last week, that
the shock of an earthquake had been felt at Swansea. Some further particulars have since been published, in a letter to the Editor of the Cambrian news- paper, by Dr. James Gibbon, of Swansea. There were three shocks distinctly felt, but the last was the only one which occasioned much alarm. The account in Dr. Gibbon's letter says- " In some houses and situations this earthquake was felt in such force as to excite a considerable degree of alarm in the strongest minds. The bells were set ringing in many houses. Some portions of chiumies were thrown 'down. The vibrations of the buildings were so strong as to make many apprehend that their houses would fall or he overthrown ; a distinct movement was observed in some lofty houses, and slight rents have been the consequence."
. There was not a breath of wind ; the tide was flowing with the ut- most calmness and regularity ; and the whole was over in about three or four seconds. The birds, it seems, were paralyzed with fear, but the Sheep and dogs showed no signs of terror. Dr. Gibbon adds, that his sensations impressed him . . . .
"with the conviction that subterranean concussions or explosions must have been the cause of the movements and terrific noise which accompa- nied this earthquake ; and I shall remain convinced, from these impressions; that there must he great vacuities in the bowels of time earth to produce such effects."'
We dare say, that Dr. Gibbon's sensations and convictions were those of a sensible man, and that he is very near the truth in his con- jectures as to the cause of the earthquake. We hope our Swansea correspondent, R. A. junior, who writes to reprove our Cockney scep- ticism, will now be satisfied that we are by no means disposed to con- sider as trifling or unimportant events which are naturally so interesting to his fellow-townsmen.
On the ,same morning ( Sunday, 31st December), shocks were felt at Neath, Llandovery, Carmarthen, and other places in Wales, and also in Ireland, at Castlebridge, in the county of Wexford.
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