The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-10-16 00:00:00

ERUPTION OF I'AUVIUS.

A Letter 'dimmed to Hit Serene 'lentos .Arel•-
eksucallor, by the Counsellor of State, fitgart-Prearnenei.
contain. the fstlowing detail of the last Eruption of
At ten o'clock, in the evening of the 12th of Au-
gust, we prepaid to proceed to the summit of this
celebrated mountain, when, by a great commotion
in the city, and the assembling of the people on the
quays, we learned that Vesuvius was in a state of
araption. We could see from Naples, a vivid blaze
ea our aide of the mountain, from the top to the bot-
tom, resembling the blaze of stubble. in those coun-
tries where it is usual to burn it ; when excited by
the wind, this flame raised itself into the air. Our
carriage was got ready ; we went hastily towards
the scene of action, to the bottom of the mountain.
where the torrent of lava had taken its course, it
was directed towards the sea, and to arrive there,
had crossed the high road, on which we placed cur-
selves to observe it.
The ground that it ran over, had been cnverel
with vines. and the richest produCtions of nature.
We perceived, at a short distance, clouds of fire rise
rn the air, and form. over our heads, an arched roof,
of a bright red. We could not as yet discover at
what distance we were from the torrent. At this
time, we were between the wall of a park, full of
trees, and a very handsome house, entirely new, at
the top of which was a terrace. We ascended to
this terrace, with great security, and saw that the cur.
rent direfled itself tovrai As this same point, and that
it was not more than about 150 paces from us. We
quickly descended; ten minutes had scarcely elapsed,
when there no longer existed a vestige of the ho Ise.
I had before observed how a similar torrent de-
',eloped itself, together with its different progres-
sions. The descent of the mountain gave a course
mote er less rapid to the running lava ; but, besides
this dire° course, the lava extended itself laterally,
if I ma• thus express myself, and covered more or
less surface, according as the ground was more or
less elevated. The diret course of the lava is cx-

timely rapid, because the force of the part in fusion
conceatres itself there, and forms a complete tor-
rent Oa the surface of this torrent, we saw matters
rolling, which were thrown out of the gulph, and
which bad acquired a state of solidity, immediately,
Sr in a very short time after their content with the
air. 'lbis is the solid matter which the torrent in
its course throws at each side. We saw there enor-
mous blocks of red and calcined stones. many of
the same colour, divided into layers. These resemble
burning charcoal beeped together, and make the
same noise. We could approach them, within six
or seven feet, without being burned, and in order
better to observe them. remained a considerable time
at that distance. There were no obstacles, such as
a wall or house, which could stop or alter the diked
course.
Here follows what we have observed in its lateral
expansion. When the lava approached a wall, it
stopped a foot or eighteen inches from it ; the part
of the wall opposite to it, reddened in a few minutes,
and fell to the opposite side. But in this slight in-
terruption of its expansion, the layers of the lava
acaurnulate, and we have seen them in some mi-
nutes form themselves into a mountain of thirty
feet in height; the average height was twelve or
thirteen feet.
We have been told, that the change of the lava
from a liquid to a solid state, was equally quick in
all eruptions ; this is a preservative from a part of
the evils which this scourge brings with it, and is the
cause which prevents the lava from extending itself
as it would do co the levers, 4f it were all liquid. At
the part where we were, we saw the course of these
layers of lava, which at first proe;eded at the rate
of eight or ten feet in a minute, diminish its velocity,
and stop entirely in less than a quarter of an hour.
In the sane time, the direct current advanced more
than twelve hundred yards towards the sea. In
another respell it is a speaacle of grief and horror ;
the road was covered with people in the deepe►t
After having well observed the effed of the lava
at the foot of the mountain, we undertook to ascend
it. We had coat ageously, and, perhaps, a little im-
prudently, mounted to the top of the crater, which
we had immediately under our eyes, at the distance
ed. about 50 feet. We observed it issue frr.m sin
opening, which we judged to be thirty feet in
diameter. a torrent of lava, which precipitated
Itself with an inclination almost perpendicular.
This matter, in flowing, extended itself,. laterally,
according as the inclioatioa was less steep; it
divided itself ioto two currents ; whether this was
a benefit, or ■ disadvantage, with respell to the
country which bas been destroyed, it is impossible to
ap;sreciate.
We were a long time in this contemplation of nue
of the greatest phienomena of nature. Our guides,
themselves, pressed us to descend. There were not,
as generally in ()titer eruptions, Mises, cinders, and
criantities rif inflamed lava, launched three or four
Lir/sired feet into the air. Under these circum-
stance., we would not have been able to approach.
loom Tillie to time we heard a violent and rumbling
goose smiler tit:. ripening. from whence the lava is-
'nett, as if ov..tliJustog from a boiliug source, but
• twain:4os.


bßEAltlita 011 !'RE BATS T7IZI t'RIS.

.....meaplo...
FATE, OCTOBEIL 10.

Our new Theatre opened last night, to a very
crowded auditory. This large and elegant edifice
is ereded in the very centre of the city ; ap-
proaches to it are numerous and convenient. Com-
pared with the former Theatre, it is, in site, a
pumpkin to a filbert ; its dimensions rather exceed
those of old Drury lane, and the opening space of
the green curtain is precisely the same with that of
modern Covent Garden. There are three tiers of
boxes, excessively lofty, and affording a depth
of rows towards the centre. The pillars (of cast
iron, bronzed) are placed at a distance of two feet
from the front, by which the first row et each circle
appears as a balcony, independent of the main
structure, and an inconceivable air of lightness is
thus communicated ro the tnit ententhk. The pri-
vate boxes are in number, inclosed with gilt Lat-
tices. The entrance to these are by a private house,
and they are accommodated with a suit of elegant
retiring rooms. The decorations are very splendid,
particularly those of the cieling, in which are placed
the famous painting; purchased at Fonthill ; and
the wreaths of flowers, &c. which conned those
pictnres, are executed with great skill and taste. The I,
prevailing colour of the house is a deep rich red,
ornamented with gold. The scenery, executed gene-
rally by the celebrated Cam; and Faeisc ii, is in the
first style for effect. Every scene displayed this even-
ing was new, and the audience loudly testified their
applause at each change. The drop.scene was par-
ticularly admired. It was painted by Mr. GRIEVE,
of ASTL SY'S Amphitheatre, who went to Bath, for
the purpose. The audience expressed their ap-
probation of his masterly peformance, by three dis-
tinct peals of applause. The vast length of the
stage surprised and charmed the eye. The dresses
were also new and splendid, and the introduction cf
numerous banners, in the latter ads of the play, was
a novelty for a Bath audience. The orchestra is as
snaciaus as those of the Landon Theatres, and we:
this evening crowded with petformers; many of the
Bristol Bai' having come over to see the opening
of this beautiful strudnre. The effect of the music
convinced us that the building is well calculated to
conrey the snnnd -44 most desirahle quality in a
theatre. So much for the appearance h: tore the
curtain. Now fur the perrnrm :trice. The tragedy
of Richard the Third, with The Poor Sold.er. •1' te
hero of the piece, " the stook-back'd tyrant," was
sustained " by a young gentleman, being his first
appearance on any stage." Ihe report of his qua-
lifications WAS uncommonly feeoirrable ; ths M.l
nagers seemed to have the most certain idea of his
success, and to have rested their hopes of a fortu-
nate season on his merits. So sanguine indeed war
the young gentleman of his rising to dramatic emi-
nence, that it is snid he relinquished a lucrative and
learned profession for the pursuit ; but, we are sorry
to say, that,from his performence dri evening, he can
augur but Faint hopes of being an ornament to the
stage. He is a short, well-made figure; has a good
eye, an acquiline nose,and a voice not eupteasing, and
which might, perhaps, by use, he tendered capable
of exertion. But he wanted feeling and energy ;
there was neither the dignity of the monarch, nor
the canning of the hypocrite, in his performance;
we may say, that he completely failed in giving ns
that impressive idea of the subtle, crafty, cruel, yet
heroic prince. Allowances for the timidity of a
first appearance ought to be mate, and we should he
ready to do it, had there been one scene of promise.
CAULFIELD, from Drury-Lane, played Barhinzhaar,
and received considerable applause, particularly
in the scene where he very artfully describes how he
had cajoled "the citizens assembled at Guildhall."
—EGERTON was received with loud greetings of ap-
probation, and he spoke and ailed Riciniroad with
propriety and spirit. The Lady aka of Aliss Jet L•
SON, was certainly the most correct performance
' of the evening, and she evinced considerable im-
provement since last season. Mies Eisele, in
the Queen, was also warmly and favourably re-
ceived. Nor ought we to forget the respedable
character, in the good King Henry. The play,
however, on the whole, went off very dull and un-
interesting.
Not so the farce; where Miss WHEATLIV, from
one of the London Theatres, made her first bow
in the character of Patrick ; and, as an actress, and
singer, strewed considerable talents. She was re-
ceived with rapture. GATTI', in Bagatelle, MA 1.-
Li ssom, in Darhy, and a Mrs. SIMMS (new to this
stage), in Kaehlanr, put the audience into good hu-
mour. Whilst WEUISE", and Mrs. WINDSOR, gave
them a high treat by their singing.
The city is filling very fast ; and the sea-side vi-
sitors are Hying to their warm winter-quarters. More
lodgings are already taken than were ever known at
so early a period. We have had one elopement al-
ready ; a clever fellow of an attorney, has taken off
the beautiful and only daughter of a wealthy dealer
in cheese and hams, and found means to marry her
at a town in Gloucestershire.

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PRlrli, OF IRISH STOCRi—.oct. 9.
Guy. Debentures& per Cunt.. 931 i 99
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COURSE OF EXCIAXGE...Tutstaag, Orr. ft.
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allAosta
Pais . 14 111 Lit. 11011 ram.
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