The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-06-21

these little parts are as peIfect as ever and sow
that we have not only not improved, but have not
varied. W ~ ,e r.., y
Various round and other shaped ornaments fbrass
were found, which attached to the carriage,
and which bear strong resemblance TO The plated
and brass ornaments which decorate our modern
chaisesses and chariots, ,y ~
! There were small chamber lamps made of earthen
ware, precisely resembling those now in use in Eu,
rope and indeed in our own country There were a
very great number of amphor9, earthen vessels,
which the Romans used not only for wine but oil,
wheat and various species of grain This is perfectly
asceTtaned, because those various substances, or
their remains, found in them unquestioli-
able shape, leaves no room even for sceptcks to
doubt Two things have occurred to me on this sub
ject, which thought worthy Of reflection. The one
is, that 1t is extraordinary that the Romans should
either not have known the use Of wooden casks, or
should have disliked them. The fact is undoubted,
for we find amphors Of every size, from gallon to
several hundred should suppose, but at least to
one hundred and in suchquantities, that at Rome,
there is large mountain, or bin, two miles out Of
the city, which is wholly composed of broken pieces
Of amphor@. The other fact worthy of notice is that
most of these earthern vessels we're made with so
small bottom, that they cannot stand up without
support and they were obliged either to bury them
partially, or to sit them against wall, TO prevent
them from falling. II must be remarked, however,
the forms extremely various, well their
capacity utthey have generally this what should
consider) deiectwhch leave to your wiser heads to
explain. fsr
Before thcdiscovery Of ofHerculaneum and Pompeia,
much doubt existed whether the ancicns had the art
of making glass but all these difficulties have been
cleared up They certainly only had the art, but
believe in very perfect degree. I large
bottle OF clear glass, with handle, resembling those
which are used for spirit or brandy with us There
were several small phals of very nice and difficult
workmanship, on account of their minutcness and
singular shape. The glass very clear consider
ing that it was extremely dirty, not having been wash
cd since the discovery. The guide who Showed me
these things, man of some learning, made me re-
mark that there mark of the place to which
the blow-pipe had been attached, as in our modern
manufactures and yet no appearance OF its having
been ground or cut, which are the present modes of
getting rid of this imperfection.
The fact is undoubtedly so, but leave to the learn
ed to decide, whether they had different mode of
blowing, or whether they cut SO nicely, as to give
the natural and simple rotundty Of blown glass or
whether (Which think most probable) the blowpipc
was attached to the present mouth of the bottle in
stead OF the bottom saw an elegant glass salt cell
Ter, filed with what fancy the remnants of salt
and several pieces of gasscooured blue, white, and
green throughout which prove that the anccnts had
that art OF colouring glass, which the modens so
highly value
On the whole, my visit to examine these novel dis
coyerics, gave me much qualification and if the des
cription of part of them shall afford you half
hours relaxation and pleasure, shall be happy
Yours, &c.