Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-24
TRANSLATED from the French, for the Craftsman.
A JOURNEY TO VESUVIUS.

ITdnStafedJ from tne rTeRc1, enc ITeysS1ee"s
A JOURNEY TO yESUVIUS.
set out from Naples at seven O'clock in the
morning; behold ne at Portiei., At first the as.
cent was by wide road, between two fields of
vines supported BY poplars. The poor habita-
TONS Of the vine dresssrs were on either side IN
the midst of rich clusters of the Lacryma Christi
Beyond this was srorched earth, withered vines,
intermingled with pines in the form of umbrsilas,
Ia few aloes in the hedges, iunumerable rounded
stones, and not single bird.
Arrived at the first plateau OF the mountain,
barren plain extended before me. l saw the two
peaks of Vesuvius; at the left the Somma, at the
right the actual mouth Of tie volcano. climbed
the hill, the sky was gloomy, and the clouds de-
scended upon the earth like dark smoke, or as
cinders driven by the wind. began TO d,stin-
guish the moaning Of the eims OF the hermitage:
The hermit came out to receive me; we enter
ed his cell, and he placed before me bread, apples
and eggs. He seated himself before me, his arms
resting on the table, and TRANQUILITY began to con-
verse while breakfasted. The clouds on all
sides were exceedingly heavy, could distinguish
nothing FROM the window of the hermitage.
There was no sound in this gulph of vapors but
the whisting Of the wind, add the distant roar OF
the sea upon the coasts of HerCulanum. Was
there not some thing remarkable in this peaceful
scene Of christian hospitality, placed IN a little
nook at the foot of volcano and in the midst OF
tempestf
left the hermitage al half past two re-
mounted the little hull Of lava at the left was the
valley which separated me from the Somma, on
my right was the plain ofthe cone. advanced
by mounting the crests Of the hillocks The
clouds left nothing more to see; heard but the
steps Of my mule.
Quilted the hill, and turning to the right
descended to the lava-plain which borders on the
cone of the volcano, and which had traversed
further below in coming to the hermitage. The
clouds in some place began to part, and discov-
cred at intervals Portici, Caprea, lscha, Pausi-
lippa, and the sea sprinkled with the white sails
of the fishermen. and tie coast Of the Gulph of
Naples bordered with orange trees
We reached the base Of the cones we quilted
our mules; our guide gave us long stick and
we commenced climbing the mountains OF cin-
ders. The clouds thickened, the obscurlty re-
doubled; we sometimes walked upon the borders
Of the abyss TO find less perpendicular descent;
the guide warned me to prepare myself. Behold
Us now at the bottom of the crater; | despair OF
being able to paint the chaos
Picture to yourself basin of a mile in circum-
ference and three hundred feet in height. which
enlarges in the form OF a funnel. the sides and
partition furrowed bv the fluid OF fire which this
abyss has contained. and which it-sull scatters
The iutting parts Of these burrows resemble the
masses of bricks with which the Romans sup
ported their enormous masonries. Large rocks
are suspended in some parts Of the interior, and
their debris mlngIlng with the cinders cover the
depths of the ABYSS.
here found that absolute silence which have
IL ,ha 4. ,C hon
nv breath have heard nothing but the throbbing
of the arteries in my temples and the beating Of
my heart. Compare this silence of death with
the dreadful sounds which have shaken this same
place, when the volcano vonited its hre and COW
cred the earth with darkness.
One may here indulge philosophical reflections,
and regard with pity human things. TiIQes vary,
and the destinies Of man have the q neon
sistancy. Life. says the Greek song, il % the
wheel of chariot. Pliny lost his life in contem-
plating from distance the volcano in whose era
ter was TRANQUILITY seated. What providence
conducted me herei BY what chance have the
tempests of the American ocean thrown me upon
the fields of Lavinias | cannot hinder myself
from dwelling upon the agitauons OF this ilfe,
where events, says st. Augustine, are full Of
| misery, and hope IS void Of happiness. Born up
on the rocks Of America, the first sound tna'
greeted my ear in coming into the world was that
Of the sea, and upon how many different shores
have behela the breaking Of the same waves
! find on this! My name is in the cabin OF the SAY
age Of Florida. and is in the book OF the hermi
| of Vesuvus When shall cast the staff ant
the mantle of the traveller at the door OF my faith
er? -.
Destructive Hre.--Yesterday, about o'clock
the services of our fremeu were put III requlsi