Miscellaneous Concluding Observations,
203
actually occurred at the moment when the church caught his
glance, and that the movement consequently travelled from
him towards the church. This counter explanation may at
first sight appear somewhat strained, but we venture to think
that it is sufficiently plausible and may be usefully introduced
here, if only for the purpose of showing what great caution
is necessary before coming to a decision as to the direction of
propagation of an earthquake wave from such observations
as have now been discussed.
From considerations similar to the foregoing we are dis-
posed to believe that the accounts given as to the direction of
propagation from the observed order of the destruction in the
towns and villages are for the most part to be regarded rather
as subjective interpretations of the phenomena than as
records of their true succession. The houses within the
range of vision are practically affected simultaneously, but
when glancing rapidly, and in a state of alarm, at a number
of falling chimneys, an observer would unconsciously imagine
that the destruction had commenced at the place where his
gaze happened to be directed at the instant, and as his eye
glanced along, and he saw the continuation of the damage,
he would erroneously conclude that he was following the
actual course of the disturbance.
The Direction as given by Clock-stoppages.—On the suppo-
sition that a clock is more easily stopped by being tilted to
and fro in a plane perpendicular to the plane of oscillation of
its pendulum than in a plane parallel with that of the swing
of its pendulum, it will be of interest to give the records
which have been collected in the present report:—
Locality. Plane of oscillation of pendulum.
Colchester........E.—W. (2 clocks), N.—S. (3 clocks).. Mr. Millard,
p. 46.
........N.—S. Bank. p. 46.
........S. 6° E.—N. 6° W. Mr. Hopwood, p. 46.
........E.—W. (6 clocks). Mr. Hill, p. 46.
........N.—S. Mr. Hildyard, p. 46.
........E.—W. Messrs. Joslin, p. 48.
........E.—W. Mr. Harwood, p. 48.
........N.E.-S.W. (3 clocks). Mr. Aberdein, p. 49.
........E.—W. Miss White, p. 49.
........E.—W. (2 or 3 clocks). Mr. Hart, p. 50.