The Hongkong papers unite in describing the phenomenon which visited the colony on the morning of the 23rd ult., as having been an unmistakeable shock of earthquake. The first impression caused by it was that the Fooponder stored at Stonecutter's Island had exploded, or that a steam-boiler had burst. The rumbling and trembling of the earth lasted fully fifteen seconds, bringing down cornices in houses on the Praya, while at the Hongkong Fire Insurance station the engine ran out of the house on to the Praya. At the Police Court there was a loud noise as if heavy weights were being drawn across the fluor, Bells in private houses were rung, and so great was the oscillation, that the large bell at the Central Fire Station boomed twice, while in the Police compound the earth was observed to roll as a wave, causing much alarm. The harbour was much disturbed, and several sampans were capsized, while masses of jelly-fish rose to the surface, Gisapponting again when the shock had passed. 'Ihe Chinese population showed great fear, and rushed from their houses into the' streets. Two small Chinese houses in the Hollywood-road were thrown down, and the occupants buried in the ruins. They were fortunately rescued with little injury beyond bruises. At the Joss-house some workmen were en-gayed in hanging a large ornamental glass candelabra, when, without any cause or notice, they suddenly found themselves prostrate before the two dragons which guard the entrance, while the candelabra lay smashed into a thousand pieces. The men got up, and ran into the building, where they prostrated themselves before the joss sires, yelling at the top of their voices. In a few minutes the joss-house was filled with a frightened crowd of devotees, who were praying to the idols to ward off the anger of the Genius of Fungshuey. Mothers placed their babes on the altars and bowed to Joss; while many others were heard lamenting this visitation of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.