Historical Introduction. 3
does not give his authorities respecting the earthquakes, but
says in the preface that the work could not ' possibly have
been done whilst these scraps of histories lay scattered in a
vast multitude of authors of different designs and professions,
as Historians civil, ecclesiastical and political; Physicians,
Divines, Naturalists, Monks, Fryars, Journallists, Travellers,
&c.' He states further that he was sixteen years in collect-
ing and compiling the Chronology." In a later communica-
tion Mr. Prince sent the following additional extract, from the
end of Dr. Short's Chronicles:—"Having gone now as far
as we have vouchers and brought down the Rev. Mr. Say's
history of the weather to 1717, where the late ingenious
Dr. Wintringham begins to be more particular, &c."
After each record in the following list the authorities
are given, Mallet's references having been in most cases
verified, and in many instances his accounts enlarged with
respect to the details of damage. In addition to Mallet's
authorities the following general works have been con-
sulted, together with the special works mentioned in the
catalogue below :—
' Appendix to a Chronological and Historical Account of the
most Memorable Earthquakes that have happened in the
World, from the beginning of the Christian Period to the
present year 1750. By a Gentleman of the University of
Cambridge.' Cambridge, 1750.
The Catalogue of Earthquakes in the ' London Magazine,'
vol. xix., 1750.
Chambers' ' Cyclopaedia of Arts and Sciences,' vol. ii.,
1758.
Palmer's ' Index to the Times Newspaper,' 1860 to 1883.
Haydn's ' Dictionary of Dates,' 17th ed., 1881.
List of British Earthquakes which have caused Structural
Damage.
A.D. 108. In Somersetshire; a city swallowed up. (Dr.
Short.)
132. In the west of Scotland; men and cattle swallowed
up. (Dr. Short.)
204. A city in Brecknockshire swallowed up. (Dr. Short).