portunity of reducing the interest of the national debt, without the
least infringement upon the faith of parliament; and congratulating them
on the flourishing state of the public credit, which could not fail to
add strength and reputation to the government, both at home and abroad.
Immediately after the rising of the parliament, his majesty appointed
a regency to govern the kingdom in his absence, and embarked for the
continent in order to visit his German dominions.

EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON.

The month of January and the beginning of February were distinguished,
the first day by a very remarkable Aurora Borealis appearing at night to
the north-east, of a deep and dusky red colour, like the reflection
of some great fire, for which it was by many people mistaken; and the
coruscations, unlike those that are generally observed, did not meet in
the zenith, but in a point some degrees to the southward. February was
ushered in by terrible peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, and
such a tempest of wind, hail, and rain, as overwhelmed with fear and
consternation the inhabitants of Bristol, where it chiefly raged. On the
eighth day of the same month, between twelve and one in the afternoon,
the people of London were still more dreadfully alarmed by the shock of
an earthquake, which shook all the houses with such violence, that the
furniture rocked on the floors, the pewter and porcelain rattled on the
shelves, the chamber-bells rang, and the whole of this commotion was
attended by a clap of noise resembling that produced by the fall of
some heavy piece of furniture. The shock extended through the cities of
London and Westminster, and was felt on both sides of the river Thames,
from Greenwich to the westward of London; but not perceptible at a
considerable distance. On the very same day of the next month, between
five and six o'clock in the morning, the inhabitants of the metropolis
were again affrighted by a second shock, more violent than the first,
and abundantly more alarming, as it waked the greater part of the people
from their repose. It was preceded by a succession of thick low flashes
of lightning, and a rumbling noise, like that of a heavy carriage
rolling over a hollow pavement. The shock itself consisted of repeated
vibrations, which lasted some seconds, and violently shook every house
from top to bottom. Again the chairs rocked, the shelves clattered, the
small bells rang, and in some places public clocks we