nine o'clock
Every person , from the King to the Beggar , is at present obliged to lie in the Fields , and some are apprehensive that a Famine may ensue . '' _ An Extract of a Letter from on board a Ship in Lisbon Harbour , Nov : 19 , to the same Purport _ . `` Mine will not bring you the first News of the most dreadful Calamity befallen this City and whole Kingdom . On _ Saturday _ the first instant , about half an Hour past nine o'clock , I was retired to my Room after Breakfast , when I perceived the House began to shake , but did not apprehend the Cause ; however , as I saw the Neighbours about me all running down Stairs , I also made the best of my Way ; and by the time I had cross 'd the Street , and got under the Piazzas of some low House , it was darker than the darkest Night I ever was out in , and continued so for about a Minute , occasioned by the Clouds of Dust from the falling of Houses on all sides . After it cleared up , I ran into a large Square adjoining ; but being soon alarmed with a Cry that the Sea was coming in , all the People crowded foreward to run to the Hills , I among the rest , with Mr. _ Wood _ and Family . We went near two Miles thro ' the Streets , climbing over the Ruins of Churches , Houses , & c. , and stepping over hundreds of dead and dying People , Carriages , Chaises and Mules , lying all crushed to Pieces ; and that Day being a great Festival in their Churches , and happening just at the time of celebrating the first Mass , thousands were assembled in the Churches , the major part of whom were killed ; for the great Buildings , particularly those which stood on any Eminence , suffered the most Damage . Very few of the Churches or Convents have escaped .