Dreadful Accident at Quebec

The Quebec papers furnish particulars of the fall of the enormous mass of rock and earth from Cape Diamond, upwards of 200 feet, carrying with it part of the government garden and fortification wall, and crushing in its descent eight houses and their inmates, on Champlain st.

The portions of the cliff which gave away fell about two hundred and fifty feet, so silently and suddenly that none of the unfortunate inmates of the houses beneath had any warning to escape. From a state of perfect health, and of joyous carelessness and happiness they were unconsciously ushered into the presence of their God, without preparation for so sudden and awful a change.

It has been confidently stated that the shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt in various quarters, from Diamond Harbor to the Upper Town of Quebec, at between one and two o'clock during the proceeding night.

Similar falls of a portion of the Cape have previously taken place, but unaccompanied with any serious consequence. The only cause assigned is the numerous springs flittering through the crevices of the rock, which falling into cleffs [clefs], expanded by frost during the winter, increase the fissures and loosen large masses of rock, which subsequent natural operations entirely detach, till whole bodies are removed from their positions.