The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-05-08
NAPLES, naRcu Q, 1899.
Eruption Of Meant HeSitOius.


several months in a state of total mac |
ton, on Friday, the ga February, show
ed signs OF renewed Yigour; on the fol-
lowing night il was in very great ac-
tivity, and on Sunday night, (lhe cath
Feb) the volcano exhibited very
grand eruption. A broad stream OF la
va descended the cone, and seemed TO
turn off man angle, and run down the
mountain towards Resina and Portici;
: the flames above the crater were lofty
aud continued-an unremitting discharge
of fiery masses, which were thrown up
in the air to great height, issued from
the mouth, and the groans Of the moun-
tain were heard in Naples, like distant
thunder. About ten O'Clock on that eve
ming the view from the city was particu-
larry striking-the wide river of fire ran
on in malestick slowness; innumerable
pale torches were seen coasting its sides,
on which some bold and curious persons
seemed every now and then to be tread
ing the flames were reflected across the
bay, and threw a strong glare on the
faces efthousinds of spectators, who had
gathered on the Molo, Sauta Lucia, and
other open places, to gaze at the mag
nilicent confiagration.
On Monday (25th Feb.) the eruption
was much less considerable; in the eve
ming, the Princess of Paranto, the Kings
wife, assembled 10 the hermitage of San
Salvatore. On Tuesday (26th) loud
rumbiing noises were heard IN Naples,
at very short intervals, during all the
day the quantity of smoke which issued
from the volcano was so great that the
sun was quite discoloured; its reflex was
of murky red tint, and the atmosphere
was heavily clouded Religious pro-
cessions were made in the little towns at
the foot of the mountain, which have SO
often suffered from their dangerous
neighbour. Towards evening, as APP
pearances promised a good nights work,
we set of from Naples to view the op-
eratlons nearer; the road to Resina was
coveFedwith people going and returning,
like fair; when we reached the spot
where strangers are on common occa-
sions surrounded by guides, and asses and
mules, to conduct them up the mountain,
we found THAT no animals were to be pro-
cured, and it was with difficulty we oould
get a stupid old man for ciceFone, who
rendered ms no other service than carry
ing torch. The ascent was thronged
with people, some pushing on eagerly
to the objects of their curiosity, and 9TH
ers returning and discussing what they
bad seen. Far below San Salvatore we
saw the stream Of fire rolling along
wide hollow, and approaching the path
by which we were going up--it was
then, however, at considerable dis
lance; its course was very slow. On
reaching the hermitage, we refreshed
ourselves as well as the crowd there as
sembied would permit we then continu-
ed, and Tor shortness traversed the lava
chiefly formed by the eruption of Janua-
~, 1921; we reached the foot of the
cone just where the stream was descend
ing; we found il about thirty feet wide
il was not liquid lava, but composed of
asLes, igaited stones, and old masses of
volcanic eIectlons, swept away in its
course and heated again these Jumps
roile,s over each other, producing
strange clinking noise; some Of them
were of very great size, and the whole
stream, though descending steep cone,
moved but slowly. Beyond this princi-
pal stream, midway up the cone, was an
opening, whence very large stones and
other burning matter were continually
thrust out this mouth fed scattered
stream, proceeding, (like the principal
onc) from the crater; they both united
with the main body in the deep holloy
below, and rolled on towards the road
which leafs from Resina up to I've her
ERitage. The. quantity of spectators
standing by the sides Of this burning riv-
er was astonishing We, with q great
many OF the more adventurous, deter
mined to ascend the cone--we there
fore passed little to The left of the
great stream, and began to scramble
through the deep loose cinders and
ashes which cover this part of thc
mountain, and render it at all times
most fatiguing climb. little path or
track formerly existed, in which the
guides had laid masses Of lava to facili-
tate the mountain, but it was Just in that
line thatthe present eruption descended,
and we were in consequence obliged 10
go up oyer the sand and cinders. in
which we stuck up 10 our knees, and at
every three steps lost one on an aver