The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-10-15

From the Notes Of an american Traveller j
Eurcpe," -pabtished in the Boston Daily I'D
CerttSer.
I Postum.
TINS was city of very high antiquity
ana great Importance. In the early day,
OF the Roman Empire, the temples of Pes
tum were visited by men of taste, as mag
innocent specimens of antiquity. After I'M
dergolng many vicissitudes, the city wa:
destroyed about 900 years ago by the Sara.
Gems. From that period till very recently
the place has been buried in oblivion. All
tne country about it is a desert waste
within few years, however, it has become
place of great interest, solely on account
OF the magnificent ruins, that still remain OF
Its ancient grandeur. These consist of 3
grand temples, an amphitheatre, and the
city walls Of the two last, little remains,
but the bare outline the three temples
stand uninjured, as the most venerable an
tlqulties in the world, -monuments that
have stood the test of more than 5000 years
They still hold up their majestic fronts, and
look as if time might beat upon them for
ever with impunity.
| The first in magnitude, is the Temple of
|
feet wide, and supported by sc immense
duted columns of ancient Grecian Doric.
Their height we estimated 30 feet, and 6
feet in diameter. The interior of the tenn
pie was also supported by another double
row of columns of the same order. but
somewhat smaller, eight of which now re-
main.
The next in Importance is the Basilica or
Court. tits considered to have been rather
place of meeting for the citizens, than a
temple. No altar or other remains of a
temple appear. 1t is nearly as large as the
other, and supported by SO futed columns
of the same ancient order of architecture.
The third, called the Temple of Ceres, is
about 100 feet long and so feet wide, and
supported by SO similar columns, 30 feet
high and four in diameter. 1t contains an
altar whereon victims were sacrificed,
facing the east, as did the Temple of Nep-
tune.
The pillars of all these buildings support
a beautiful entablature. When we consid-
err the number of centuries that have rolled
away,-the kingdoms that have sprung into
existence, and Disappeared empires
that have risen and gone to decay,-the
new world that has been discovered and
peopled in the west, and the numberless
vicissitudes undergone by men and things,
long since these buildings were formed
we cannot too much admire the skill of an
architect, who has so admirably combined
strength, durability, and elegance of proper
( ton, that these fabrics are looked upon as
models of excellence, in this improved age
! of the world.
PoMPEII.
The environs of Naples are all full of in
terest. Pompeii possesses attractions far
above all the rest. Other places are cele-
brated in history as the scenes of great
I deeds, as the magnificent abodes of the
mighty Emperors of the ancient world, or
I the peaceful retreats of the Philosophers.
( the Poets, and the Orators of antiquity. A
! few faint ruins mark the outline of what
once existed, and serve to spread IL charm
and deep interest over the scene, after lapse
of 20O0 years. But Pompeii exhibits q
whole city as it existed in ancient times. A
whole community is here presented actual
/ ly dug out of antiquity. We seem trans
ported back, as if by enchantment, to a
former age of the world, and see temples,
palaces, monuments, fountains, baths, houses
| gardens, shops, furniture, and utensils, Of
every description, precisely as they were &c
centuries ago.
The memorable eruption of Vesuvius il
the year 20, so completely buried Pompei
as to preserve it all for the inspection Of
modern times. Atmospheric air, which op-
crates so fatally in corroding every thing
material, was entirely excluded by the volca.
mic matter, and consequently, the most mi
mute objects have been preserved in all then
pristine character. Pompeii is attractive, no.
merely to the artiquary, and the pedan
profound in ancient trihes: it is full of in
terest to the simple mind of taste and re-
; fection,-to the philosopher, and the mar
of common sense. We cannot walk through
its recently opened streets without feeling
that we are on hallowed ground,
The city having been overwhelmed by
the fatal volcanic eruption of 49, the people
who were able to escape, fed and estab
lished new city at Tore del Annunziata
From that period, Pompeii was neglected
and forgotten. Centuries rolled by, and it
; location was utterly unknown. A vineyard
had sprung up over the desolate CITY,
About the middle of the last century, some
traces of it were accidentally discovered by
the peasantry, who cultivated the soil. This
led to further excavations, and excited I
spirit of discovery, which eventuated in dis
playing the city as it now appears. EXca
vations are still going on, but enough ha
been developed to reveal to modern eyes
an identical city of the Roman Empire. Il
ranging through the deserted city, ant
entering its houses, temples, and theatres
we are conscious that we walk the YER
streets, and tread the identical pavement
and floors, that have borne the greatest me-
of antiquity.
Among the prominent buildings, are Z o
8 magnificent temples. Those of Hercules
of Jupiter, Venus, Esculapius, of Isis, an
some others have been recognized. Mos
of them are of the Grecian Doric order
they are spacious and elegant, of quadri