The Illustrious Providences in New England, Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Of Remarkable Tempests in New-England. A Remark upon the Hurricane, Anno. 1635. A Remarkable accident by a sudden freezing of Rain in the Year 1659. A strange Whirl-wind in Cambridge 1680. Another in New-Haven Colony 1682. Another at Springfield. Some parallel Instances. Of Earthquakes in this Countrey. Land wonderfully removed. Parallel Stories. Of Remarkable Floods this year, not only in New-England, but in other parts of the World. An account of a prodigious Flood in France five years ago, with conjectures concerning the natural reason of it.
OTher Remarkables besides those already mentioned, have hapned in this Countrey, many of which I cannot here insert, as not having received a full and clear account concerning them. Nevertheless, such particulars as I have by good and credible hands been informed of, I shall further add. And let it be here Recorded, that we have seen diverse Tempests in New-England, which deserve to have a Remark set upon them, in respect of some notable Circumstances wherewith they have been attended. I have not heard of any Storm more dismal than the great Hurricane which was in August 1635. the fury whereof threw down (either breaking them off by the bole or plucking them up by the roots) thousands of great Trees in the Woods. Of this some account is given by Mr. …, in the first Chapter of our present Collection. And I must confess, I have peculiar reason to commemorate that solemn providence, inasmuch as my Father and Mothe…, and four of my Brethren were then in a Vessel upon the Coast of New-England, being at Anchor amongst the Rocks at the Isles of Sholes when the Storm began; but their Cables broke, and the Ship was driving directly upon a mighty Rock, so that all their lives … given up for lost, but then in an instant of time, God turned the Wind about, which carried them from the Rock of Death before their eyes: This memorable providence is mentioned in my Fathers Life, both in that Edition published in this Countrey, Page 21, 22. And also in that published by Mr. Cl…rk in his last Volumn of Lives, Page 131. Wherefore I shall not here further enlarge upon it. In the Year 1659. near the Town of Concord in New-England, there hapned that which is somewhat rare, and therefore to be reckoned amongst Remarkable Accidents. In the MonethMonth of February, it having rained a great part of the day, at night it froze extreamly, so as that many Limbs were broken off from many Trees by the weight of the Ice, caused by the sudden friezing of the Rain upon the Boughs. It was somewhat formidable to hear the crackings ma…e a good part of the night, by the falling of so much Wood (thousands of Cords) as was by that means occasioned. Of later years several places in this Countrey have been visited with strange and awful Tempests. That was very Remarkable which hapned in Cambridge in New-England, Iuly 8. 1680. The persons who were Witnesses of that very amazing Providence have declared what themselves observed about it. The History whereof I shall here insert, a Worthy Person having furnished me with the following Narrative. Samuel Stone of Cambridge in New-England does declare and testifie, that Iuly 8. 1680. about two of clock in the afternoon, he being with his young Son in the Field, the Wind then Southerly, he observed a Cloud in the North-west in opposition to the Wind, which caused a singing noise in the Air, and the wind increased, till the Whirl-wind came, which began in the Mead… near where he was, though then it was not so violent as it proved afterwards, as it passed by him it sucked up and whirled about the Hay that was within the compass of it: it passed from him towards his House over an Hill, tearing down several Trees as it went along; and coming to his Barn car…ied off a considerable part of the Roof (about twenty four foot one way, and thirty the other, fell near the Dwelling-house where People were, yet could not its fall be heard by them (yet it was so great that it was heard by some a mile off) by reason of the great rushing noise of the Wind. Afterwards as it pressed towards Matthew Bridge's House, it tore down some Trees and Indian Corn, and there rose up into the Air for the space of a quarter of a Mile; afterwards it came down upon the Earth in a more violent manner; the effects whereof he saw not, but it may be known by the following Relation.
Matthew Bridge who was an Eye-witness of what hapned, Declares that he observed a thick Cloud coming along his Fathers Field before his house, as to appearance very black; in the inside of the Cloud as it passed over him, there seemed to be a light Pillar as he judged about eight or ten Foot diameter, which seemed to him like a Screw or solid Body. Its motion was continually circular, which turned about the rest of the Cloud. It passed along upon the Ground, tearing all before it, Bushes by the roots, yea the Earth it self, removing old Trees as they lay along on the Earth, and Stones of a great magnitude, some of which could not be found again: great Trees were twisted and torn down, and carried a distance from the place where they were; Branches of Trees, containing about a Load of Wood, were blown from their Bodies▪ and carried forty yards or more. The Cloud it self was filled with Stones, Bushes, Boughs, and other things that it had taken up from the Earth, so that the top and sides of the Cloud seemed like a green Wood. After it went from him, it went a mile and half before it scattered, bearing down the Trees before it above a Mile in breadth; passing through a thick Swamp of Spruse, Pine, and other young Trees (which was about half a mile through) it laid all flat to the ground, yet the Trees being young, are since risen up: it was observable as it passed through a new planted Orchard, it not only pulled up some of the young Trees by the roots, but broke off some of them in the bodies, about two or three foot high▪ as if they had been shot off not hurting the Stocks. Moreover, there was such a great noise made by the Storm, that other considerable noises at the same time, as falling of very great Trees very near one, … not be heard. The above said …, and a Boy with him endeavoured to run to …, but were prevented by the Sto…m, so that they were necessitated to ly … upon the Ground behind some Bushes, and this thick Cloud and Pillar passed so near them as almost to touch their feet, and with its force bent the Bushes down over them, and yet their lives were preserved. Iohn Robbins a Servant Man was suddenly slain by this Storm, his Body being much bruised, and many Bones broken by the violence thereof. Thus concerning that.
The last year was attended with sundry Remarkable Tempests in several parts of this Countrey. One of which hapned in New-Haven Colony, Iune 10. 1682. Concerning which I have received from a good hand the following account. This Storm began about 2 h. P. M. and continued two hours. It reached Stratford, Milford, …airfield, New-Haven, and it was very violent in every one of these places, especially Milford, where three Barns were blown down by it, and one House new built, that was forty foot in length, well inclosed, was moved from the Foundation at one corner, near two foot and an half; but the greatest strength of the Storm was about six miles above Stratford, as is evident by the great Havock, that is there made, for the compass of half a mile in breadth, scarce a Tree left standing, which is not shaken by the Storm; the strongest Oaks are torn up by the roots, some two foot, some three foot and more over; young Saplins that were not so big as a Mans middle, were broken off in the midst: This Storm came out of the West, and the Wind did before the end somewhat vere towards the North; it was attended with a violent Rain: the very noise of the Wind in the Woods, was such, as that those that were in it could not hear the fall of a Tree a few Rods from them. Great Limbs of Trees were carried like Feathers in the Air an incredible distance from the Trees they were broken from: Many that were at work in the Woods were in great danger, and had no way to preserve themselves but by running into open Plains, where there were no Trees. The strength of the Storm passed along East and by South, over Stratford River, and between Milford and New-Haven, and there it passed away into the Sound towards Long-Island: Many thousands of Trees were blown down both above and below the place before specified, but in the compass of that half mile, the greatest strength of the Storm was; for here almost there was an universal Destruction of all the Trees, leaving the place upon Hills so naked that very few Trees are found standing. Thus of that Tempest.
Also, on Iune 26. 1682. there were the most amazing Lightnings that have been known in New-England, a great part of the night being thereby made as light as the Day. In some places grievous Hail fell with the Lightning, breaking the Windows of some Houses. But at Springfield it was most dreadful, where great pieces of Ice, som… seven, some nine inches about, fell down from the Clouds with such violence that the Shingles upon some Houses were broken thereby, and holes beat into the Ground, that a man might put his hand in. Several acres of Corn (both Wheat and Indian) were beat down and destroyed by the Hail. Yet this Hail-storm (though terrible) was not comparable to that which hapned three years ago in another part of the World, viz. at the Town of Bl…is in France, where the People were by the amazing fury of a prodigious Tempest affrighted out of their sleep, and forced to rise out of their Beds that they might save their lives. Several Houses, and two (Churches) Meeting-houses, were beat down to the ground. This Tempest was likewise accompanied with a most prodigious Hail, many thousand stones being found as big as a Mans …ist. This unusual Artillery of Heaven, broke all the Slates wherewith the Hou…es were covered, and the Glass-windows, all over the Town, as if they had been beaten in a Morter. Without the Town eight whole Parishes with the Fields adjacent were wholly ruined by that Hail, in such a terrible manner, that it seemed as if no Corn had been sown, or Vines planted there. Four other Parishes were much endamaged, multitudes of Chimneys beaten down, so that the damage thereby, with the breaking of the Windows and Tyles, were valued to be above two hundred thousand Crowns; and the harm in the Vineyards, and Corn-fields invaluable. The Divine Providence was very much seen, in that Man, Woman nor Child were killed in this fearful Desolation. The Reader may see a more full Relation of this prodigious Hail-storm in Mr. Burton's surprising Miracles of Nature, Page 180, 181. As for those sudden Gusts wherewith part of Cambridge, and several Towns near New-Haven in N…-E…gland were Alarm'd, the like hapned at a … in England, fourteen years ago; the … whereof may be seen in the … Transactions Numb. 17. Page 2156. … I shall here insert. It is that which …, Octob. 30. 1669. betwixt five and …ix of the Clock in the Evening, the Wind …, at Ashley in North-Hamptonshire, hapned a formidable Hurricane, scarce bearing sixty yards in its breadth, and spending it self … about seven minutes of time. Its first disc…n'd assault was upon a Milk-Maid, taking her Pail and Hat from off her Head; and carrying it many scores of yards from her, where it lay undiscovered some dayes. Next, it storm'd the Yard of one Sprigge, dwelling in Westthorp (a name of one part of the Town) where it blew a Wagon-body off of the Axel-trees, breaking the Wheels and Axel-trees in pieces, and blowing three of the Wheels so shattered over a Wall. The Wagon stood somewhat cross to the passage of the Wind. Another Wagon of Mr. Sali…b…ries marched with great speed upon its Wheels against the side of his House to the astonishment of the Inhabitants. A branch of an As…-tree of that bigness that two lusty Men could scarce lift it, blew over Mr. Salisburies House without hurting it; and yet this Branch was torn from a Tree, an hundred yards distant from that House. A Slate was found upon a Window of the house of Samuel Templer Esqr. which very much bent an Iron Bar in it; and yet tis certain▪ that the nearest place, the slate was at first forced from, was near two hundred yards. Not to take notice of its stripping of several Houses; one thing is remarkable, which is, that at Mr. Maidwells Senior, it forced open a Door, breaking the Latch, and thence marching through the Entry, and forcing open the Dairy Door, it overturned the Milk-Vessels, and blew out three Panes or Lights in the Window; next it mounted the Chambers, and blew out nine Lights more: from thence it proceeded to the Parsonage, whose Roof it more than Decimated; thence crosseth the narrow Street, and forcibly drives a Man headlong into the Doors of Tho. Brigges▪ Then it passed with a cursory salute at Thomas Marstones, down to Mr. George Wignils, at least a Furlongs distance from Marstons, and two Furlongs from Sprigges, where it plaid notorious Exploits, blowing a large Hovel of Peas from its Supporters, and settling it cleaverly upon the ground, without any considerable damage to the Thatch. Here it blew a Gate Post, fixed two foot and an half in the ground, out of the Earth, and carried it into the Fields, many yards from its first abode.
Thus much concerning Remarkable Tempests.
Earthquakes deserve to be mentioned amongst Remarkable Providences, since Aristotle himself could say, that the Man is stupid and unreasonable who is not affected with them. This part of the World hath not been altogether free from such tremendous accidents, albeit, through the gracious providence of God) there never was yet any harm done amongst us thereby, so far as I have heard. The Year 1638. was attended with a considerable Earth-quake. There are who affirm that they heard a strange kind of noise before the Earth began to tremble. Another Earth-quake was observed in some parts of New-England, Anno Domini 1658. Also in in the Year 1662. on the 26, 27, and 28 of Ianuary, the Earth was shaken at least six times in the space of three dayes. I remember that upon the first approach of the Earth-quake, the things on the Shelves in the House began to move. Many People ran out of their Houses with fear and amazement: but no House fell, nor was any damage sustained. There was another Earth-quake… April 3. 1668. We in Boston were sensible of it, but some other parts of the Countrey were more terribly shaken. The Indians say that the Earth-quake this year, did stop the course of a considerable River. It is also reported, that amongst the French in Nova-Scotia, there hapned an Earth-quake which rent an huge Rock asunder to the center, wherein was a vast hollow of an immeasurable depth. Concerning Earth-quakes which have lately hapned in remoter parts of the World▪ I shall not here insert any thing, having mentioned them in my Discourse of Comets, Printed the last year. Only therein I have not taken notice of that memorable Earth-quake▪ May 12. 1682. having received Information concerning it more lately. Such Readers as are inquisitive into things of this nature▪ may see that Earth-quake described and discoursed on, in the Weekly Memorials for the Ingenious▪ Page 125, &c. Remarkable was that which hapned A. D. 1670. at a place called Kenebunck, in the Province of Main in New-England, where not far from the River side a piece of Clay Ground, was thrown up over the top of high Oakes that grew between it and the River, into the River, stopping the course thereof, and leaving an hole forty yards square, wherein were thousands of clay Bullets, like Musket Bullets. It is also remarkable, that the like to this hapned at Casco (twenty miles to the Eastward of the other place) much about the same time: Whether the removal of this ground did proceed from an Earth-quake, or by the eruption of Mineral Vapors, or from some other cause, may be disputed. They that would give a probable conjecture concerning the natural cause, must first know whether a great Drought, or much Rain, or both successively, did not proceed, of which I am not informed. The like Memorable accidents have hapned in several places in England, both in the former, and in this present age; which it may be twill be pleasing and edifying to some Readers for me here to commemorate. To proceed. The like to what hath been related, fell out 1571. in Hereford-shire; Marcley Hill, in the East part of the Shire; with a roaring noise, removed it self from the place where it stood, and for three dayes together travelled from its old seat. It began first to take its Journey, February 17. being Saturday, at six of the clock at night, and by seven of the clock next Morning, it had gone forty paces, carrying with it Sheep in their Cotes, Hedg Rows, and Trees, whereof some were overturned▪ and some that stood upon the Plain are firmly growing upon the Hill, those that were East were turned West, and those in the West were set in the East. In this Remove it overthrew Kinnaston Chappel, and turned two High-wayes near an hundred yards from their old paths. The Ground that thus removed was about twenty six Acres, which opening it self with Rocks and all, bore the Earth before it for four hundred yards space, without any stay, leaving Pasturage in place of the Tillage, and the Tillage overspread the Pasturage. Lastly overwhelming its lower parts, it mounted to an Hill of twelve Fathom high, and there rested, after three dayes Travel. Again on the third of Ianuary, A. D. 1582. at Hermitage in Dorset-shire, a place of ground of three Acres, removed from its old place (as is testified by Stow in his Summary) and was carried over another Closure where Alders and Willows grew, the space of forty Rod or Perches, and stopped the High-way that led to Corne, and the Hedges that it was inclosed with, inclose it still, and the Trees stand bolt upright, and the place where this Ground was before, is left like a great Pit. Also on the fourth of August 1585. at Motingham in Kent, after a very violent Tempest of Thunder and Rain, the Ground suddenly began to sink, and three great Elms growing upon it, were carried so deep into the Earth, that no part of them could any more be seen. The Hole left is in compass eighty yards, and a Line of fifty Fathom plummed into it finds no bottom. Also December 18. 1596. a mile and half from Westram Southward (which is not many miles from Moti…gam) two Closes lying together, separated, with an Hedge of Hollow Ashes; there was found a part thereof twelve Pearches long, to be sunk six foot and and an half deep; the next morning fifteen foot more; the third morning eighty foot more at the least, and so daily that great Trench of Ground containing in length about eighty Pearches, and in breadth twenty eight, began with the Trees and Hedges on it, to lose it self from the rest of the Ground lying round about it, and withal to move and shoot forward day and night for eleven dayes. The Ground of two Water-pits, the one six foot deep of Water, the other twelve at the least, and about four Pearches over in breadth, having sundry Tuffs of Alders and Ashes growing in the Bottoms, with a great Rock of Stone under them, were not only removed out of their places, and carried towards the South, at least four Pearches a pieces, but withal mounted aloft, and become Hills, with their Sedge, Flags, and black Mud upon the tops of them, higher than the face of the Water which they had forsaken) by three foot, and in the place from which they are removed; other ground which lay higher is descended, receiving the Water which lies upon it. Moreover, in one peace of the plain Field, there is a great hole made by linking of the Earth to the depth of thirty foot at the least, being in breadth in some places two Pearches over, and in length five or six Pearches. Also there an Hedge thirty Pearches long, carried Southwad with his Trees, seven Pearches at the least; and sundry other sinkings there be in divers places, one of sixty Foot, another of forty seven, and another of thirty four foot, by means of which confusion is is come to pass, that where the highest Hills were, there be the deepest Dales, and the lowest Dales are become the highest Ground. The whole measure of breaking, was at the least nine Acres. One Instance more I find to the like purpose in Mr. Childrey his Britannia Baconica, pag. 131 where speaking of the natural Rarities of Cheshire, he thus writeth, Iuly 1. 1657. about 3. h. in the Parish of Bukley, was heard a very great noise like Thunder afar off, which was much wondered at, because the sky was clear, and no appearance of a Cloud. Shortly after a Neighbour comes to me (saith the Author of this Relation) and told me I should see a very strange thing, if I would go with him, so coming into a Field, called the Lay-field, we found a very great Bank of Earth which had many tall Oaks growing on it, quite sunk under the ground, Trees and all. At first we durst not go near it, because the Earth for near twenty yards round about is exceeding much rent, and seems ready to fall in; but since that time my self and some others by Ropes have ventured to see the bottom, I mean to go to the brink, so as to discern the visible bottom, which is Water, and conceived to be about thirty yards from us, under which is sunk all the Earth about it for sixteen yards round at least; three tall Oaks, a very tall Awber, and certain other small Trees, and not a sprigg of them to be seen above water: four or five Oaks more are expected to fall every moment and a great quantity of Land is like to fall, indeed never ceasing more or less, and when any considerable Clod falls, its much like the report of a Canon. We can discern the Ground hollow above the Water a very great depth, but how far hollow, or how far deep is not to be found out by Man. Some of the water was drawn out of this Pit with a Bucket, and they found it to be as salt as Sea-water; whence some imagine that there are certain large passages there, into which the Sea flows under ground, but I rather think, that this Salt-water is no more but that which issues from those Salt Springs about Nantwich, and other places in this Shire. But of this no more at present.
Some Remarkable Land-floods, have likewise hapned in New, England. Nor is that which came to pass this present year to be here wholly passed over in silence. In the Spring time the great River at Connecticot useth to overflow, but this year it did so after Midsummer▪ and that twice: For Iuly 20. 1683. A considerable Flood unexpectedly arose, which proved detrimental to many in that Colony. But on August 13. a second and a more dreadful Flood came. The Waters were then observed to rise twenty six foot above their usual Boundaries. The Grass in the Meadows, also the English Grain was carried away before it. The Indian Corn by the long continuance of the Waters is spoiled: so that the four River Towns viz. Windsor, Hartford, Weathersfield, Middle-Town, are extream sufferers. They write from thence, that some who had hundreds of Bushels of Corn in the Morning, at night had not one Peck left for their Families to live upon. There is an awful intimation of Divine Displeasure Remarkable in this matter; inasmuch as August 8. a day of publick Humiliation with Fasting and Prayer, was attended in that Colony, partly on the account of Gods hand against them in the former Flood; the next week after which, the hand of God was stretched out over them again, in the same way, after a more terrible manner then at first. It is also Remarkable that so many places should suffer by inundations as this year it hath been. For at the very same time when the Flood hapned at Connecticot, there was an Hurricane in Virginia attended with a great exundation of the Rivers there, so as that their Tobacco and their Indian Corn is very much damnified. Moreover, we have received Information this Summer, that the mighty River Danow (the biggest in Europe) hath overflowed its Banks, by means whereof many have lost their lives. Also near Aix in France, there lately hapned an unusual Flood, whereby much harm was done; and had the Waters continued rising but one hour longer, the City had probably been destroyed thereby. There was likewise a sudden and extraordinary Flood in Iamaico, which drowned many (both Men and Beast) and was very detrimental to some Plantations there. They that came lately from thence, assure us that the Waters in some places arose an hundred and fifty foot. Such mighty Streams did the Heavens suddenly power down upon them. Thus doth the great God Who sits King upon the Floods for ever, make the World see how many wayes he hath to punish them, when it shall seem good unto him. Many such things are with him. There are who think that the last Comet, and those more rare Conjunctions of the Superiour Planets, hapning this Year, have had a natural influence into the mentioned Inundations. Concerning the Flood at Connecticot, as for the more immediate natural cause, some impute it to the great Rain which preceded. Others did imagine that some more than usual Cataracts did fall amongst the Mountains, there having been more Rain then what now fell, sometimes when no such Flood has followed. It is not impossible, but that the Wind might be a secondary cause of this Calamity; Judicious Observators write concerning the River Dee in Cheshire in England, that though much Rain do fall, it riseth but little, but if the South Wind beat vehemently upon it, then it swells and overflows the Grounds adjoyning extreamly; the reason of which is, that the River being broad towards the Sea, when the Rain falls it hath a quick and easie passage, but the South Wind brings the Sea in, and doth somewhat stop the free passage of the River into the Sea. Whether there might not be some such natural reason of the great Flood in Connecticot at this time; the ingenious upon the place, who know best how things are there circumstanced may consider. With us in Boston it was then at first an Euroclydon; but in the afternoon the Wind became Southerly, when it blew with the greatest fierceness. If it were so at Connecticot, it seems very probable that the fury of the wind gave a check to the free passage of the River, which caused the sudden overflowing of the Waters. It has moreover been by some observed, that the breaking forth of subterraneous Waters has caused very prodigious Floods. Since the dayes of Noah, when the Fountains of the great Deep were opened, no History mentions a more surprizing and amazing Inundation than that which hapned five years ago at Gascoyn in France) proceeding (as tis probably judged) from the irruption of Waters out of the Earth. Concerning which Remarkable accident, a judicious account is given in the late Philosophical Collections, published by Mr. Robert Hook, Page 9. There being but one of these Books in the Countrey; the Ingenious will not blame me, if I here insert what is there Related, which is as followeth;
In the beginning of the MonethMonth of Iuly, 1678. after some gentle rainy dayes which had not swelled the Waters of the Garonne more than usual; one night this River swelled all at once so mightily, that all the Bridges and Mills above Tolouse were carried away by it. In the Plains which were below this Town, the Inhabitants who had built in places, which by long Experience they had found safe enough from any former Inundation, were by this surprized, some were drowned together with their Cattle; others had not saved themselves but by climbing of Trees, and getting to the tops of Houses; and some others which were looking after their Cattle in the Field, warned by the noise which this horrible and furious Torrent of Water (rowling towards them with a swiftness like that of the Sea (in Britain he means) made at a distance, could not scape without being overtaken, though they fled with much precipitation: this nevertheless did not last many hours with this violence. At the same time Exactly, the two Rivers only of Adour and Gave, which fall from the Pyraenean Hills, as well as the Geronne, and some other small Rivers of Gascoyn, which have their Source in the plain, as the Gimone, the Save and the Ratt, overflowed after the same manner, and caused the same Devastations. But this Accident hapned not at all to the Aude, the Ariege, or the Arise▪ which come from the Mountains of Toix, only that they had more of the same then those of the Conseraut, the Comminge, the Bigorre. Those who have heard talk of those Inundations at a distance, were not at all astonished at it, believing it to proceed from the violent Rains of some Tempests which had suddenly filled these Rivers, or that they had caused a sudden Thaw of the Snow of the Pyraeneans, which had swelled the Rivers that were near.
Monsieur Martel of Montabaun, Advocate of the Parliament, and Inquisitive and Learned Man hath searched after this cause of this Deluge (by the order of Monsieur Foucault Intendant de Iustice en la generalite de montaban, one not less seeing and understanding in ingenious Sciences, than expert and exact in the performance of his charge and imployment) understanding that this overflowing could not be produced by either of the forementioned causes, and being assured that it must have had one more extraordinary than all these.
And first he grounded his thoughts upon the report of the People of the place who were witnesses of this Prodigy. And above all of those who being in the highest Valleys of the Pyraeneans at the very Source, had either seen or known all circumstances, for they all agreed, that it had rained indeed but that the Rain was neither so great, nor lasted so long as to swell the Rivers to that excess, or to melt the Snow off the Mountains. But the nature of these Waters, and the manner of their flowing from the Mountains, confirmed him perfectly in his Sentiments. For, 1. The Inhabitants of the Lower Pyraeneans observed, that the Waters overflowed with violence from the Entrails of the Mountains, about which there were opened several Channels, which forming so many furious Torrents tore up the trees, the Earth and great Rocks in such narrow places where they found not a passage large enough. The Water which also spouted from all the sides of the Mountain in innumerable Jets, which lasted all the time of the greatest overflowing, had the tast of Minerals.
2. In some of these passages the Waters were stinking (as when one stirs the mud at the bottom of Mineral Water) in such sort that the Cattle refused to drink of it, which was more particularly taken notice at Lombez, in the overflowing of the Save, (which is one of the Rivers) where the Horses were eight hours thirsty before they would endure to drink it.
3. The Bishop of Lombez having a desire to cleanse his Gardens, which the Save passing through by many Channels by this overflowing, had filled with much Sand and Mud; those which entred them felt an itching like to that which one feels when one Bathes in Salt-water, or washes one self with some strong Lixivial: these Waters have caused the same kind of itching risings in the skin. This last Observation is not less strong then both the others to prove▪ that this over-flowing was not either caused by the Rains, or by the meltings of the Snow, because this itching could not be produced by either of the said Waters, which are not at all of this nature, but by some Mineral juice, either V…riolic or Aluminous, which the Waters had dissolved in the Bowels of the Mountains, and had carried along with it in passing through those numerous Crannies. And tis for this reason that Monsieur Martel believes he had found out the true cause of this overflowing to be nothing else but the subterraneous Waters; for if the Heavens have not supplied his prodigious quantity of Waters, neither by the Rain, nor the melting of the Snow: it cannot come else where then from the Bowels of the Earth, from whence passing through divers Channels, it had contracted and carried along with it that stinking and pungent quality.
But this much concerning late Remarkable Floods.