A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator', 19 September 1868—A frightful calamity befell Peru and Ecuador be- tween the 13th and 17th of August last. We only know the results as yet by Atlantic telegraph, and there are hopes that the extent of the calamity is exaggerated; but private telegrams put it beyond doubt that a calamity of a kind almost if not quite unparalleled even in those regions of periodic calamity has taken place. An earthquake is said to have destroyed the cities of Arequipa, Iquique, Arica, Pisco, and half-a-dozen others, with a loss of life in Ecuador alone, which suffered most, of 22,000 people, and a loss of property said to amount to 60,000,000 I. sterling. The huge tidal waves which followed, wrecked many vessels, and were seen as far north as the coast of Southern California, where, on the 15th August, every half- hour a great wave rushed sixty feet above water mark, and then sank as much below V4111'r
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