The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-06 00:00:00

A SOUTH SEA VOLCANO.

Just as we reached the great plain of the volcano we
approached the southern limit of the wood, and, on
turning its corner, Mauna Loa burst upon us in all its
grandeur. The day was extremely fine, the atmosphere
pure and clear, except a few flying clouds, and this im-
mense dome rose before us from a plain some 20 miles in
breadth. I had not, until then, formed any adequate
idea of its magnitude and height. The whole dome ap-
peared of a bronze colour, and its uninterrupted, smooth
outline was relieved against the deep blue of a tropical
sky. Masses of clouds were floating around it, throw-
ing their shadows distinctly on its side, to which they
gave occasional relief and variety. There was a bluish
haze resting on the plain, that apparently gave it great
distance, though this was partially counteracted by the
distinctiveness of the dome. I now, for the first time,
felt the magnitude of the task I had undertaken. So
striking was the mountain that I was surprised and dis-
apiiaiited when called upon by my,friend, Dr. Jlidd, to
look at the volcami Of Kilauea; for I saw nothing be-
fore us but-tlinge pit, black,- ill-looking, and totallydif-
ferent froth whati had anticipated. There were no jets
of fire, no erruptions of heated stones, no cones, no-
thing but a depression, that, in the midst of the vast
plain by which it is surrounded, appeared small and in-
significant. We hurried to the edge of the cavity, in
order to get a view of its interior, and as we approached,
vapour issuing from numerous cracks, showed that
we were passing over ground beneath which fire was
raging. The rushing of the wind past us was as if it
were drawn inwards to support the combustion of some
mighty conflagration. When the edge is reached, the
extent of the cavity becomes apparent, and its depth be-
comes sensible by comparison with the figures of some
of our party who had already descended. The vastness
thus made sensible transfixes the mind with astonish-
ment, and every instant the impression of grandeur and
magnitude increases. To give an idea of its capacity,
the city of New York might be placed within it, and
when at its bottom would be hardly noticed, for it is
three and a half miles long, two and a half wide, and a
thousand feet deep. The bottom looks, in the daytime,
like a heap of smouldering ruins. The descent to the
ledge appears to the sight. a short and easy task, but it
takes an hour to accomplish. We pitched our tents in
full view of the volcano, and sat on its northern bank
for a long time in silence. We succeeded in reaching
the second ledge, though the way to it is steep, rugged,
and uncertain. At the edge of the pool, or lake of fire,
the light was so strong that it enabled me to read the
smallest print. I was struck with the absence of any
noise, except a low murmuring, like that which is heard
from the boiling of a thick liquid. The lake was ap-
parently rising, and wanted but a few feet of overflowing
its banks. When I began to reflect upon the position
we were in, its insecurity, and the vast and deep fires
beneath, with the high basaltic walls encompassing us on
all sides, I found it difficult to comprehend how such a
reservoir can thus be pent up, and be viewed in such
close proximity without accident or danger. The whole
party was perfectly silent, and the countenance of each
individual expressed the feeling of awe and wonder which
I felt in so great a degree myself, and which the scene
was so well calculated to excite. No one can see all
this, and yet doubt the theory of the igneous fluidity of
the centre of the earth. All combustible causes that we
are acquainted with are totally inadequate to produce
such an effect. The whole seemed boiling up like a
fountain, differing only in density and colour.—From
United States Exploring Expedition.

RETIRING PENSIONS OF MINISTERS OF STATE.—Con-
siderable curiosity is entertained as to the retiring allow-
ances of Ministers, and very little is generally known
on the subject. The salaries and pensions of the several
Ministers are as follows, viz. :—First Lord of Treasury,
salary 5,000/. with official residence, pension 2,000/. ;
Foreign Secretary, salary 5,000/., pension 2,0001. ; Home
Secretary, salary 5,0001., pension 2,000/. ; Colonial Se-
cretary, salary 5,0001., pension 2,0001. ; Chancellor of
the Exchequer, salary 5,0001. with official residence, pen-
sion 2,000/. • First Lord of the Admiralty, salary 4,5001.
with official' residence, pension 2,000/. ; President of
Board of Control, salary 3,5001., pension 2,0001. ; Pre-
sident of Board of Trade, salary 2,0001., pension 2:000/. ;
Irish Secretary, salary 5,5001., pension 1,400/. ; Secre-
tary-at-War, salary 2,5801., pension 1,400/. ; Joint Se-
cretary of Treasury, salary 2,0001., pension 1,2001. ;
First Secretary of Admiralty, pension 1,2001. ; Vice-
President of Board of Trade, salary 2,0001., pension