| 134 he boarded her. The Commodore, as a mark of particular respect, ordered a larger salute than is usually granted to officers of Consular rank.
We live in a very beautiful palace, hung with rich paintings; the walls painted in frescoe [fresco], and the whole building surrounded by delightful grounds: In approaching it you first enter an iron gate and pass up between two rows of trees and two green hedges to another huge gate, that opens into the area in front of the palace. At one side of the gate is a marble lion, standing with one foot on the world. A little farther, on the opposite side, stands one of the ancient Senators of Genoa. At the foot of the first flight of steps is another lion. Ascending these you enter the main court, supported by two immense columns;-and passing up the second flight, come into the main hall a very large room, hung with ancient pictures. The other rooms correspond with these-all furnished in rich style, with every thing except linen and table service; and yet the whole cost but I45 [145] Francs a month. The yard in front, which is lined with marble statutes, is now yellow with the ripening orange.
Palaces are abundant in Genoa. Some of them are most superb. Built of the richest marble, on their interior is lavished almost exhaustless wealth. The palace of the Marquis of Palaiseino is close beside us; and in repairing the grounds alone, the Marquis has spent $100,000. I have been over the Royal Palace, even to the bed rooms of the ladies, but find it impossible to describe it with any correctness. The Serra Palace has two remarkable rooms, one of which has been called the 'Palace of the Sun.' In the richness of its tapestry, the splendor of its chandeliers, and other furniture, it cannot be surpassed. It cost alone about $200,000. The marques [marquis] di Negro has a most picturesque situation on one of the eminences of the Appenines [Apennines], with grottoes and cascades, and furnishing an extensive view of the city and bay. In passing by one statue, that stood in a niche of the building, I was struck with surprise by the inscription: 'Alla Memoria del Washington.' Affectionately yours, Y.
Terrible Earthquake in the West Indies-10,000 Lives Lost.
The Big Francis Jane, Thompson, arrived this morning from St. Johns, Porto [Puerto] Rico, brings to the Exchange Reading Room advices [advises] of the effects of a severe shock of an earthquake, on the 8th of February.
Extracts of a letter received by the owners of the Francis Jane, dated St. Johns February 14th and 15th, state:
'We have just received advices [advises] from the Windward. The effects of the earthquake on the 8 inst., have been awful, indeed. Point Petre, Gaudalope is totally destroyed, and t 5 [15] thousand persons supposed to have been killed.-The loss of property is immense. At Antiqua, also, there has been a great loss of property, but only five lives lost. All the mills and sugar works are more or less injured, and the greater part of the crop will be lost. Nevis, Montserrat, Barbadoes, &c., are said to have suffered much, but to what extent is not yet known.
Here, and at St. Thomas, the shock was also severe, and lasted at this place two minutes; but there was no material damage done at either place.'
Singular Phenomenon.
On Friday morning last week, between the hours of four and five, a most remarkable phenomenon was observed by all carriers approaching Perth by the north and west roads. The phenomenon was that of the whole surrounding country in the districts of Dunkeld, Crieff, Blairgowria, &c., being suddenly illuminated by a blaze of light, which rendered objects for several miles around more distinctly visible than the clearest noon-day. Sheep, cattle trees and bushes, were beheld with an accuracy, at six and seven miles distance, equal to what would be produced by the finest telescope, so vivid and intensely brilliant was the light.-This curious phenomenon lasted nearly a minute, and, as is described by those who witnessed it, had a kind of unsteady motion, resembling in the impression it created on their minds, the roll of waves of the sea after the subsidence of a storm. The light was dazzling white, and , from what we learn, appeared like the white light, displayed by pyrotechnists, but of course, on a much grander and more extensive scale. Robert M'Donald, the Dunkeld carrier, alleges that he felt distinctly a heat produced by it, similar to what would be experienced in passing the door of premises in which there was a powerful furnace blast working.-He was in the neighborhood of Brinam at the time, and distinctly saw the color and plumage of several chiffinches [chaffinces] perched upon a tree at the road side. From his account, compared with the accounts of the other carriers he appears to have been in the very focus of the meteoric phenomenon, as while they felt no heat, they concur in stating that the centre [center] of its brilliancy seemed to be a little below Dunkeld. The morning was otherwise very dark, with a thick, raw, rhymy atmosphere.-Edingburgh Evening Post.
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