The earth sinks together again, as the ball did when it was pricked; and sinks lower, perhaps, than it was before: and back rushes the sea, which the earth had thrust away while it rose, and sweeps in, destroying all before it.
Of course, there is a great deal more to be said about all this: but I have no time to tell you now.

You will read it, I hope, for yourselves when you grow up, in the writings of far wiser men than I.

Or perhaps you may feel for yourselves in foreign lands the actual shock of a great earthquake, or see its work fresh done around you.

And if ever that happens, and you be preserved during the danger, you will learn for yourself, I trust, more about earthquakes than I can teach you, if you will only bear in mind the simple general rules for understanding the "how" of them which I have given you here.
But you do not seem satisfied yet?
What is it that you want to know?
Oh! There was an earthquake here in England the other night, while you were asleep; and that seems to you too near to be pleasant.

Will there ever be earthquakes in England which will throw houses down, and bury people in the ruins?
My dear child, I think you may set your heart at rest upon that point.