Fear not, good friends, if you hear terrible sounds as of an earthquake shaking the house this night.

Men say that if the city is to be saved it must be by the blowing up of whole streets of small houses somewhere in the path of the flames, so that they shall have nothing whereon to feed.

Others say that nothing will stop them, and that none will be found ready to make sacrifice of their dwellings for the public good, preferring to risk the chance of the flames reaching them.

I know not the truth of all the rumours flying about; but the thing might be, and might be wisely done.

So fear not if you should hear some sounds that will make you think of an earthquake.