Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-08-24

TO survey the scene around us. The
clouds hung on the foot OF the mountain,
and only permitted us to see the gloomy
cone on which we STOOD The genus of
desoIation may be said to reign over this
dreary realm not sign oil vegetation
relieves The eye, wearied aud sad With
the horrible and bleak expense that en-.
vironed us How melancholy are the
feelings excited in such situation How
much more SO are the recoiIections ii re-.
calls | felt as if we alone stood Oh the
ruins of the universe--as If chaos was
come again; nor can think Of it without
emotion. A long and distressing walk on
the broken lava brought us to the place
where we had slept. Our last descent be-
gan here, and when once at the foot oil the
upper part of the mountain, we rapidly
went In seven minutes, the same distance
that we we're an hour 10 ascending the
day before.-Tbe fathers received us
kindly at the hermitage, where We break
tasted on bread and wine.
The clouds had now dispersed, and we
enjoyed view Of the superb bay Of Ma
pies. must say, (nor do / know how
far prejudice influences my saying SOY
that it is inferior to the bay Of New
York. The famed places that skirt its
shores, give to il reputation aud a clas-
sic interest that New York Cannot boast
aud as long as Homer, Virgil, Horace add
Pliny are read--so long will this bay be
the most interesting in the world. Ipde-
pendent of these writers, the fertile soil
that envelopes the foot Of Vesuvius, with
its burning craters, the number of cities
and villages destroyed by its dreadful
workings, viii ever attract the@lover of
landscape aud the student OF nature. The
cities over which we walk-the palaces
over which we sail-the lakes, half swai-
lowed-and mountains elected in single
night-all add TO the interest of the place.
Such were my thoughts as my mule came
down the base OF the mountain, al the lit
tie village of Ricina, from whence we had
descended the day before into Herculane-
um. The theatre alone is now shown
some persons having been los; in the ex-
cavations, they are closed to the public
and through the inadvertency of others,
We are deprived of pleasure and instrttc-
tion. To Pompeii is miles, aud we
took Kind Of chaise for the day The
Neapoiitan chaise, or cabriolet, is very
small gig, into which two very small per-
sons may squeeze (; one of them drives,
and the coachman stands behind to whip
the horse, which is exclusively his pre-
negative, and the passenger cannot pre-
vent him from making the horse run all
the distance. Pompeii, as it is shown to
visitors. is more interesting than Hercu-
laneum; since it is part of city exposed
to light, and open to day. We walk
by daylight ia the streets; enter the
houses aud temples, and visit the forum
aud tombs, the same as any ancient town
but cannot forget, that since the year
10, till within a short time, the ashes Of
Vesuvius have hid it from the day. The
temple of Isis is the most complete; few
houses have the second story the first
are perfect, and are easily known. Thus
several cook-shops, a bske-ho a sur
geon's or druggists, milkman's, &c are
at once recognized by the signs painted on
the walls, and frequently the name is
seen too. One of the streets must have
been superb; it yet exhibits the marks of
carriage wheels. The workmen and
guides are very strict; wanted small
square piece Of marble which served as
floor TO one Of the courts although it laid
loose on the ashes, yet they replaced it;
nor had bride far beyond its intrinsic
value, any effect. They gave me to I'M
derstaud that both their necks would an
swer for il.
81 wrote to you from Leghorn-We
went from thense to Pisa, Lucca, aud
Florence the latter is beautiful aud
interesting place, 10 the vale of Arno, one
Of the most luXuriant in the world. From
Florence to Rome is 200 miles we ar
rived in the Holy week, and saw the
ceremonies of Easter. The religious GER
emonies were the most splendid I ever
saw. The pope, 20 cardinals, 80 bishops,
and lots Of deacons officiated--about
$4,000 persons we're in ST. Peters during
the service. We got by chance with the
ambassadors but though luck favored us
10 the cathedral, il left us TO shit for our
selves at the door, and we mingled in
crowd of 80 900 persons, who knelt TO
receive the benediction Of his holiness.
The illumination Of ST. Peters, and
the fireworks, were superb beyoad de-
scription. They are said to have cost
..a .hnn ono ,niIl;nn of dollars and sfijK
his holiness cannot clear bis dominions of
bauditti; he is too poor Part Of the
way from Rome TO this place, guard
houses are built every quarter Of mile.
and we had frequently soldier on each
side of the carriage TO protect us from
cassI -