The danger in an earthquake is not from the time lost in opening the door, but from the chance of its becoming jammed by the movement of the walls.
It is impossible to be much surprised at the fear which natives and old residents, though some of them known to be men of great command of mind, so generally experience during earthquakes.

I think, however, this excess of panic may be partly attributed to a want of habit in governing their fear, as it is not a feeling they are ashamed of.

Indeed, the natives do not like to see a person indifferent.

I heard of two Englishmen who, sleeping in the open air during a smart shock, knowing that there was no danger, did not rise.

The natives cried out indignantly, "Look at those heretics, they do not even get out of their beds!" I spent some days in examining the step-formed terraces of shingle, first noticed by Captain B.Hall, and believed by Mr.Lyell to have been formed by the sea during the gradual rising of the land.