The period of time inclusive between the sixteenth of November (the date of the terrible earthquake at Banda Neira in the Moluccas), and the twenty-sixth of January, 1853, must be regarded as one of the most remarkable and portentious periods of the earth’s history during modern times. For in that period a greater proportion of the earth’s surface was convulsed by subterranean forces than has been known for many scores of years, in the same length of time. The area most severely affected by these phenomena is included between the parallels of forty degrees south latitude and thirty-seven degrees north latitude, and extending from one hundred and twenty degrees east to the forty-fifth degree west longitude, being nearly equal to three-fifths of the equatorial, and a little more than one-half the polar circumference of the earth. At this time the coast of eastern Asia, the Islands of the South Indian Ocean, Singapore, the fated Moluccas, the east coast of China, the north, east, and south coasts of Australia, the coast of California, Mexico (west coast,) South America, with portions of the Atlantic coast of the United States south of the thirty-fourth parallel, north latitude, shared in the general disturbance which prevailed on our own shores during this time. With the twenty-sixth of January ceased the vibrations on this coast at that time, but we have positive intelligence that they continued much later on the east coast of China and Australia, in which countries they did not cease until the month of February. With these facts before us we cannot but believe the period included one of the most turbulent in the earth’s career during modern times. 1853. Jan. 2d.—A shock of earthquake was felt in Mariposa; this was observed in San Francisco, Bodega, and at Shasta City. Jan. 5th.—A shock at Corte Madeira. Feb. 14th.—A light shock at San Luis Obispo. March 1st.—A smart shock at San Francisco, which was felt at San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. April 24th.—A light shock at Humboldt Bay. April 25th.—Three shocks in quick succession at Weaverville, Trinity County. June 2d.—Two smart shocks on the plains of the San Joaquin. July 12th.—A light shock at Yreka, Siskiyou County. Sept. 3d.—Four shocks on the Salinas and San Joaquin Plains. Oct. 23d.—Three heavy shocks at Humboldt Bay. Oct. 25th.—A light shock at Humboldt Bay. Nov. 16th.—A light shock at San José. Nov. 21st.—A shock at San Francisco. Dec. 11th.—A light shock at San Francisco and Mission Dolores. Dec. 23d.—A light shock at Shasta. Total in 1853, 15. 1854. Jan. 3d.—Two smart shocks in Mariposa, felt also in Shasta. March 2d.—A light shock at San Francisco. March 20th.—A shock at Stockton. April 29th.—A light shock at Santa Barbara.