Note 311 — PART II. DR. COVEL’S DIARY. (continued 2)

The terrible earthquake at Ragusa is stated by Von Hammer as occurring in 1668. Five thousand persons perished in it; the harbour was destroyed; “water, fire, air, and earth were mingled in a terrible combat, the result of which was the ruin of Ragusa” (Von Hammer). The Turks took advantage of the position, increased the taxes, and utterly crushed the place. In 1678, one Ragusan Ambassador was put to death, another put in prison, and 200,000 crowns demanded from the inhabitants.