the inhabitants. Mount Madrian in one of the Spice Islands, was
rent in twain by a fierce eruption in 1646, and since then has remained
two distinct mountains. It became active again in 1862, after two
centuries of repose, and caused great loss of life and property.
Sorea, a small island of the same group, forming but a single volcanic
mountain, had an eruption in 1693, the cone crumbling gradually till
a vast crater was formed, filled with liquid lava and occupying nearly
half the island. This lake of fire increased in size by the same process
till in the end it took possession of the island and forced all the
inhabitants to flee to more hospitable shores.

THE GREAT ERUPTION OF TOMBORO

But of the East Indian Islands Sumbawa, lying east of Java, contains
the most formidable volcano--one indeed scarcely without a rival in the
world. This is named Tomboro. Of its various eruptions the most furious
on record was that of 1815. This, as we are told by Sir Stamford
Raffles, far exceeded in force and duration any of the known outbreaks
of Etna or Vesuvius. The ground trembled and the echoes of its roar
were heard through an area of 1,000 miles around the volcano, and to a
distance of 300 miles its effects were astounding.

In Java, 300 miles away, ashes filled the air so thickly that the solar
rays could not penetrate them, and fell to the depth of several inches.
The detonations were so similar to the reports of artillery as to be
mistaken for them. The Rajah of Sang'ir, who was an eye-witness of the
eruption, thus described it to Sir Stamford:

"About 7 P. M. on the 10th of April, three distinct columns of flame
burst forth near the top of the Tomboro mountain (all of them apparently
within the verge of the crater), and, after ascending separately to a
very great height, their tops united in the air in a troubled, confused
manner. In short time the whole mountain next Sang'ir appeared like a
body of liquid fire, extending itself in every direction. The fire
and columns of flame continued to rage with unabated fury, until the
darkness caused by the quantity of falling matter obscured them, at
about 8 P. M. Stones at this time fell very thick at Sang'ir--some
of them as large as two fists, but generally not larger than walnuts.
Between 9 and 10 P. M. ashes began to fall, and soon after a violent
whirlwind ensued, which blew down nearly every house in the village of
Sang'ir--carrying the roofs and light parts away wit