CHAP. IV.
Of the Remarkables of Vulcano’s, and their most prodigious
Phanomena’s, hitherto observ’d, in particular; With particular Relations, &c.
Thus all the World over are found Eruption of Fire by Natures own kindling, as if she kept House underground, and made several Hills her ignivomous and evacuating Chimneys.
In Ocmuzio, and Island of the Persian Gulph, all things are full of fires, whence ‘tis said to have burnt seven whole years continually. It yet belches forth daily, out of the Saline Mountains, which it abounds with, globes of flames, whereby the most famous Mart of the whole East, is almost quite laid wast.
In Media, Sifus, at the white Tower, breaks forth with fire, out of fifteen Chymney-holes, with such vehement noise and sound, that the Peiople round about are perswaded the Gates of Hell to be there.
In Japon, above other Islands, Vulcan seems to have forg’d a number of his Shops and Work-houses, vomiting forth fire and smoak, night and day. And as it is seventy miles distant from the famous City Firandus; so by night they illuminate the whole Region, like so many blazing Torches, to the admiration of Beholders.
In the Island Java, the Mountian not far from the City Panacura, having not burnt for many years; (for some places burn always, some by fits;) In the year 1586, raged with such a violent Eruption, that ten thousand persons are said to have perished, in the subjacent fields: and three whole dayes, darting forth mighty stones into the City, with fumes caused such a darkeness, as high the Sun, and turned day into night.
The Mountain Pico in the Island Timor, of such an height, that a flamy Spire or Pyramid was seen for three hundred miles in the Sea. This in the year 1638, had its very foundations shaken, by an horrible Earthquake; as whas wholly swallow’d up; together with the Island, leaving nothing behind it, but an huge mighty Lake. So the Annals of the Jesuites Society relate.
The Mountian Gonnapi, in one of the Bandan Islands, in the year 1586, after continual burning of seventeen years, at length burst asunder, sent forth such a quantity of stones, cinders, ashes, and sulphureous-Bituminous Pumice-stones, that the Sea almost cover’d therewith, all seem’d to burn, with the destruction of all Fish, and living Creatures.
In the Island Ternat, one of the Malacca’s, there is an high and steep Mountain climbing up into the Clouds, whose lower parts are beset with thick Woods and Forrests, and upper parts peel’d and made bare with continual burnings. On the very top it hat a Cup or deep Mouth, with a vast gaping, made round into many circles, from greater to lesser, like an Amphitheater, or stage, one below another. This, at the time of the Aequinoctials, chiefly by the blast of the Northern winds, raging with smoak and flames, reduces all neighbour places round about, overwhelm’d with ashes and cinders into desolation.
The Maurecan Islands seem wholly to burn, whence frequent Earthquakes; end casts forth out of Caverns, and the very top of the Mountain Thola, such quantity of flames, ashes, and stones, as big as great Trees, that it seems a kind of Hell.
The Atlantick Sea, west of Africa, so abounds with subterraneous Fires, that Plato’s Land, call’d Atlantis, seems to have perish’d from no other cause but as swallow’d up with the fierceness of these Fires; and the frequency of Earthquakes following thereupon. And to this very day certain Tracts of Seas are abundantly infested with flames and fires, issuing out of their store-houses; whose rage both Columbus and Vespuccius, to their great hazard, try’d.
Neer Hesperius, a Mountain in Ethiopia, the fields in the night all glitter with Light. As also a certain piece of ground does the like in Babylonia; and some places in Italy were noted before, for some such like thing.
Pliny, after reckoning up the most notorious, concludes with the burning of the high and vast Mountain Theonochema, or Chariot of the Godds, in Africa, as the most famous example of this kind above all others; at least in those days. And ends, saying, in so many places, with so many fires, does Universal Nature burn and roast the Earth. And this great Naturalist, who perish’d, in prying too curiously into the se dangerous prodigies of Nature, considered how full fraught the World is with this Element, and how propagative it is of it self, says, It is the greatest Miracle that an universal Conflagration of the World has not happen’d already, Truly it exceed all Miracles, that there has been any day, wherein all things have not burnt. Those be his words.
Some of the Vulcano’s in the Andes, in the Kingdom of Chile, were so big-belly’d as it were, with fires, that in the year 1645, they brought fourth so great Calmities, to that Kingdom; that no Pen is able to express, whole Cities everywhere being both swallow’d up, and overturn’d.
The City Paraquipa, ninety Leagues distant from Lima, has a neighbouring Vulcanian Mountain, continually darting forth fires, in so much that the People are sorely afraid, lest sometime it should burst asunder, and destroy the whole Country.
The Vulcano’s of Guatimalla, are more terrible. In the year, 1586, almost all the City of Guatimalla, fell with an Earthquake. This Vulcano had then, for six months together, day and night, cast from the top, and vomited, as it were, great flouds of Fire. As is also observable of the Vulcano of Quito, which cast such aboundance of ashes, that in many Leagues compass thereabouts, it darkened the light of day.
In Nicaragua, in North America, thirty five Leagues from the City Leon, an high Mountain vomits forth flames in such abundance, as to be seen for ten miles distance, and more. And another not far from Aquapulcus of the same fierceness.
Of these Vulcano’s, some vimit out of their mouths smoke and ashes, or both; some fires, and there are some which never cast, either smoke, flames, or ashes; but in the bottom are seen to burn with a quick fire never dying. This impos‘d upon a greedy Priest, and made him think it was nothing else, but heaps of Gold, melted in the fire, which he thought to have fetch’d up by letting down an Iron Kettle with Chains; But his device was not fire-proof, his Kettle and Chain melting so soon as they approach’d neer the bottom.
But the greatest wonder of all is that some of these Vulcano’s have for some hundreds, nay for thousands of years, cast out continually smoke, fire, and ashes.
For the European, to begin with more Northern. And here first, who knows not the notorious Mountain Hecla (and also Hegla and of the Holy Cross) in Island, by the Rlation of all Geographers, most remarkable, for mighty burnings. Mountains so terrible for Thunder, flaming out of fire, casting abroad stones, ashes, stink, and smoke; that the more fanciful conceit, that Hell is begun there aforehand: which were more plausible, fi the Apparitions that are seen there, were as true, as they are said to be frequent. And which seem as Miracle of Nature, its highest Top of Pike, is white, with perpetual Snow; and its Roots and sides blazing with unquenchable burnings. And the multitude of hidden Gulphs and Whirl-pits suffer none to come neer, for many furlongs. An d by the Eructuation of stones, and ashes, reduces all the circumjacent Plain into barrenness; together with a formidable noise, and crackling. Which while the Inhabitants hear, they superstitiously believe, the Souls of the wicked, to be tormented there, with a miserable howling.
And even in Groenland, perpetually frozen with extreamest cold, next to the very North Pole, there is an huge Vulcanian Mountain, at whose Roots, is a Monastery of the Order of Preachers, call’d St. Thomas‘s, built of Tophas-stone, from the casting out of the Mountains. Concerning which, Bartholomew Zenet, a Venetian, a diligent Inspector and searcher into these things, I know not by what accident cast on these Coasts, relates many wonderful things. Here, says he, is seen St. Thomas‘s Monastary of the Dominicans. And not far distant an Ignivomous Mountain; at the foot whereof, a fiery Fountain breaks forth; With the Water of the Fountain, derived by Pipes, not only all the Cells of the Moncks are made hot, like Stoves‘ but also their Meat dressed; yea and their very Bread bak’d. These Mountain vomits forth the Tophaz, or Pumice-stone, which the whole Monastary is built of. For those Tophaz’s soked through with that hot Water, are cemented together, as it were with clammy Bitumen. Here are also most pleasant Gardens, watered with boyling Water, in which are Flowers and Fruits of all kinds. And this Water, when it hath run through the Gardens, falls into a neighbour Gulph, or Port; whereby it happens, that it never is frozen, and therefore the Fish, and innumerable Birds and Fowl frequent there; wherewith the Inhabitants live in full plenty. So he writes, who saw and discovered the Coast, the King of Danes chief Admiral, Nicholas Zenet, a Venetian.
Now it is most likely that the Vulcan’s of Izland, and Groenland, have communication together, by hidden Burrows and Channels‘ and are perpetually imply’d by secret Aestuaries, to allay the vehemency of the Cold, and abundance of Ice. Whence also is drawn the Reason, why in some Northern Islands, and the Shores of Norway, Finmark, Biarmia, Lapland, in one part the Sea is easily frozen with Ice; in another part, not at all, by no force of cold, or snows. Also in some shores most abundant Pastures, together with Trees, and most fruitful fields are found: In otheres, as in Nova Zemblia, neither Grass, nor Trees, nor anything profitable for the nutriment of Man, to be met with.
There was also some Vulcanian Hill, Crate, or Pit, which burnt for sixteen years in Scotland, and consum’d a large quantity of ground. Even as now some Coal-Mines about Newcastle are said to have continued burning for several years of late, and ‘tis likely do so still.
In Germany, was violetn Eruptions formerly. Who in these latter Ages, hath ever heard, or read of such a Fire, issuing out of the Earth, as Tacitus describes? Which is burnt a whole Territory; against which Water was unavaileable; which could never be extinguish’d, but with Stones, Cloaths, Linnen, and Wollen, and other dry Materials cast thereon. Tacitus words run thus.
The City of the Inhoanians in Germany, conferdate with us (saith he) was afflicted with a sudden disaster. For fires issuing out of the Earth, burned Towns, Fields, Villages every where, and spread even to the Walls of a Colony newly built; and could not be extinguished, neither by Rain, nor River-water, nor any other liquor that could be employed, until for want of remedy, and anger of such a distraction, certain Peasants cast stones afar off into it; then the flame somewhat slacking, drawing near, they put it out with blows of Clubs and otherwise, as if it had been a wild beast. Last of all they threw in cloaths from their backs, which the more worn, and fouler, the better they quenched the fires. We have omitted the high Mountains in Lapland also, which Olaus relates, belch forth hideous flames, like Aetna’s.
In Greece the Mountain Nyphaus flings out fire also, and pitchy bituminous matter; the fury whereof is enkindled by rain and water: As also the fire of those Ignovomous Mountains of Lycia, and Pamphylia, in Asia minor, (not mentioned before) viz. The monstrous Mountain Chimaera heretofore famous for often belching forth Fires, It’s Fire is the more inkindled with Water, but quenched with Earth, or Hay. As also the Hephastian Mountains, near Chimera; whose Earth, touched with a lighted Torch or Brand, suddenly takes fire; so that the sontes burn in the very waters, and the fire is fed and nourished by Rains, and Waters. And if with a kindled, or burning brand, sorrows be made in the Earth; Streams or Rivers, as it were, of Fire, will run along after; As Pliny writes.
In the Mediterranean, in the Archipelago, the Island Santorin, has had formidable Fires and Earthquakes, as in the 1650, from the relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard fo the Jesuits society, who was present, and an eye witness; and with his own mouth related the whole event, to Kircher, at Rome, afterwards; and by the following Testimony, would have it known to posterity.
The Relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard, concerning Subterraneous Fires, which brake forth from the bottom of the Sea, in the year 1650, near the Island Santorin, in the Archipelago.
“Although some reprove Pliny of Iyes, in that he relates certain stupendenous things, above humane capacity: yet daily experience teaches us, that in many things he spake true; chiefly in the History of many Islands, which in succession af time arose and started up from the bottom of the Sea; and amongst others Thera, in the 135. Olympiad, (which was about the year of the world 3200.) It was also call’d Calista, and Phylothera; But now Santorin, from St. Irene, the famous Virgin and Martyr, worshipped there. For Baronius himself, in his Ecclesiastick Annals of the year 726. seems to give credit to Pliny. For thus he speaks. A vapor was seen to bubble forth out of a Chimny of Fire, between the Islands Thera and Therasia, (or Santorin), from the very bottom of the Sea, for some dayes; whereby the burning of the fiery heat, by little and little being condensed, and dilated and spread, it all shewed like a fiery flaming smoak. Moreover, with the vastness of its earthy substance, it conveyed hugeous Rocky-Pumice-stones, and certain great heaps, through all Asia, and Lesbos, and Abydus, and the Maretime Coasts of Macedonia; so that the whole surface of the Sea was filled with these Pumices. But in the middle of so great a Fire, there was an Island made from the heaping and congestion of Earth together, and joyn’d to the Island called the Sacred, which never existed before. The like we understood happened in the year 1457, from certain Verses ingraved on Marble, for the perpetual Memory of the thing: which near the Gate of the Castle Scarus of the said Island, run to this purpose.”
Magnanimous Francis, the Heroes undoubted Off-spring,
Thou seest with thine eyes, what Calamities & Wonders;
By joining five times eleven unto two;
Viz. 1547 On the seventh of the Calends of December,
With a vast murmur, vast Terasia groan’d,
And pluck’d asunder mighty Camena’s stones;
From the Sea’s bottom, an huge Rock appears,
A Monster great, and most Memorable for ever.
“Further it appears, that there was another Island next to this, form’d in the year 1570. not without great Terror of those of Santorin. Sith the Burning lasted for a year, as some ancient folk, who saw it with their Eyes, do yet testifie. But in the middle of this smaller Island, which is now called Little Camena, to this very day is beheld an huge and profound ditch, which being narrow towards the bottom, by little and little inlarges it self round, like a funnel; out of which as out of a Chimney, bursted forth those mighty Sontes and Rocks, which co-mixed with the Cinders and Ashes, built that Bulk or heap, appearing aloft.
But that those Subterraneous Fires, which are fed with plenty of Bitumen and Sulfur,
and sometimes break forth with greatest violence, are never extinct, is evident, from
most hot Waters, which are found at the Sea-shoar, in the furthest South part of the
Island, and which the Inhabitants use, as the most healthfussest Baths, to expel diseases
sprung from
Cold.”
“But if ever those Fires, pent up in the bowels of the Earth, exercised their force, it was most of all then, when in the year 1650 on the 24th of September, even to the ninth of October, they shook that Island with so mighty and so frequent Earthquakes; that the people, viz. of Santorin, fearing nothing but immediate ruin, were on their knees night and day before the Altars. But it cannot be spoke nor expressed what a fear invaded all; when those victorious flames, breaking open all obstacles, strove to make themselves a way through the midst of the Waters of the Ocean, about four miles from Santorin Eastward: For that forsooth the Sea, swell’d thirty cubits upwards, suddenly; and extending it self wide, through the Neighbouring Lands, overturn’d everything that it met in its way; In so much that the very Port of Candy which yet is 80 miles distant it broke in pieces, with its sudden assault, and impetuousness, both the Gallies and Ships. But the Air, infected with those ill-smelling and Sulphureous vapous, began to be darkened, and put on innumerable forms and appearances. Hence brandishing of fiery Lances and flammivomous Swords; thence darting forth bright and glittering Arrows. Here, as it were, terrible Serpents and Dragons flying; and there hideous Thunder-claps, Lightenings, and Thunderbolts, were stirred up.”
“And yet we could scarce see: for the eyes of all beholders were so hurt, with those sharp pricking and Sulphureous Smoaks and Vapours, that almost all became blind for three dayes; so as not only to see nothing, but also seiz’d with so great and so grievous a pain, that they wept continually, and bewail’d their most miserable lot. But when they return’d to their free eyesight, they saw all their Silver and Golden, both Vessels and Garments, and all Pictures, drawn over with a yellow colour. And such a great multitude of Pumice-stones that fiery Gulph vomited forth, that it covered the whole surface of the Sea, so that scarce anyone could pass in a Vessel. It is most certain, that they were convey’d even to Smyrna, and Constantinopll: and all Shoars and Coasts filled therewith. Now the force of this burning was greatest the two first months: forasmuch as the Neighbour-Sea seem’d even to bubble like a boyling Pot; And night and day huge Globes and flakes of Flames, and most thick heaps of furled pitchy Smoak mounted up.”
“Which if at any time, by an adverse wind, were carried to the next places, brought, besides a most grievous stink, destruction both to Birds, Beasts, yea and to very Men themselves. As it happened the ninth of October, and fourth of November, that fifty Husbandment choak’d with the smoak and stench, most miserably perish’d; besides an innumerable multitude of Birds, Sheep, Oxen and Asses. The same happened to nine Mariners, who passing by night that way, in their Vessel, after three dayes, were found all half burnt, and were buryed in the Island Nio, sixtly miles distant from Santorine.”
But the other four Months, although that Hellish Hearth or Furnace, remitted much of its vigor and fierce heat, and could scarce lift it self above the waves: yet nevertheless it seem’d both to cast out Pumice-stones, and even to labour and strive towards the formation of a New Island: which although it does not yet appear above Water, yet in a calm Sea, a shallow Ford is observ’d, which the Water swims over, scarce eight cubits high. But now if it be ask’d, Whether yet these Fires are quite allayed? ‘Tis answered, That they seem sometimes to revive: Sith ‘tis diligently observ’d, that the Sea boyld and rages there very often, and sends up smoak with the waves; And especially this year 1656, the 11th day of June, and three dayes following.
Even the Geographick Dictionaries also record, that both this Santorine, and the other little Islands by, to have arose out of the Sea of late years; the one an hundred years since, and the other fifty. An that the Sea is exceeding deep thereabouts; and huge and fearfull Noises to be there heard.
Italy, Sicily, together with the neighbouring Islands of the Miditerranean, corresponding with them, &c. are most notorious; But of them, and their Remarkables, and particular Relations by themselves, in the next Chapter.
In the Atlantick Ocean, Westward; the Azores or Tecera’s, can scarce be inhabited for the vehemency of Fires, and Earthquakes together therewith; Which about twenty years since, so shook the universal Island of St. Michael, and made so great ravegings, that it almost wholly sunk in an Abysse or bottomless Gulph.
“For on June the 26th, in the year 1638, formidable Earthquakes began to make the universal Island shake and quake, for the space of eight days; so that the Cities, Towns and Castles being deserted, Men were forc’d to dwell in open Fields; hiefly those of Vargen, where the Earthquakes raged more dangerously than in other places. After which Earthquakes, succeeded the following Prodigy. Six miles distant from the Pick (commonly called the Pick of Camerine) is a place called Ferreira, where Feshermen with their Boats were wont to fish, especially in the Summer-time. For there in a dayes time, the caught such a multitude of Fish of all kins, as no Boat returned laden with less than ten thousand Fish. In this tract therefore of the Ocean, on Saturday in the month of July, in the year 1638, Fire broke forth with such an unexpressible violence, notwithstanding the depth of the said place of the Ocean, found often heretofore by the Fisher to an 120 foot deep; that indeed the very Ocean would not suffice to extinguish so great a burning. The space which the boyling fire took up, was as great as would serve for the sowing of two Bushels of Wheat; breaking forth with so great violence, that notwithstanding the said profundity of the Ocean, it reach’d as high as the Clouds; being elevated in the supream Region of the Air; carrying with it the very Water, Sand, Earth, Stones, and other mighty heaps, just like Featherbeds flying up into the Air. Which afar off appear’d a sad spectacle to Beholders; But the melted matter returning down into the Sea again, resembled a kind of Pultis or Frumenty. Moreover, it is to be ascribed to the benignity of the Divine Providence, that at that time the Wind was terrestrial, rushing forth from the pars of the Island, against the rage of the outrageous Fire; without which, the whole Island had without doubt been burnt, and perished with this formidable combustion. Then presently after it cast forth stones of such fast bigness, of the height of three Lances, or piked Staves; that you would say, not Stones, but entire Mountians were cast out. And this was added to the horror; That the stony Mountains which were cast forth on high, falling back again, and meeting and dashing against others, thrown out aloft, at a good distance, out of the bowels of the Sea, broke into a thousand pieces with a terrible noise and ratling; which afterwards being took up into your hands, mouldred into a black Sand.”
“Moreover, out of the various and vast multitude of rejected Offalls, and the collection and heaping together of innumerable stones, a new Island arose, and that even in the midst of the most deep Ocean. In the beginning indeed, little, of five Acres only; but daily encreasing, grew to such a bigness, that four dayes after it took up the length of five miles. And so great a multitude of Fish perished with this burning; as scarce eight Ships of Indian Burden could contain; which being dispersed far and wide, up and down the Island, lest they should cause some Contagion by their putrifaction, they were collected together by the Inhabitants all about, and buried in most deep-dugg ditches for eighteen miles round about. But the scent of Sulphur was smelt for the space of twenty four miles. This from the Relation of the Fathers of the Society.”
These visible instance of particular Burnings of the Earth, are notable presumptions, that there are laid in the hidden Mines of Providence, such a provision of combustible matter, as will serve for an Universal Conflagration of the Earth, when the day of Vengence shall make use of these Treasuries of Wrath.
We might add further Arguments of Subterraneous Fires, and the Fewel thereof; from Earthquakes, and hot Fountains; Of which there are some in Peru, as Acosta reports, that are so hot, that a Man cannot endure his hand so long, as the repeating of an Ave-Marie. There be infinite numbers of these in the Province of Charchas. He makes mention also, in the same place, of several Springs and Fountians that run with Pitch and Rosin. Which yet seems nothing so strange, as those Baths Fallopius speaks of, in the Territories of Parma, whose Water catches Fire at a distance; But these are something from our present design, and therefore pass them by.
