Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-02-09
IOR THE INTELLICENCGR. MUSEUM or ANTl1,Uf AT NAPLES
FROM GATHERS LETTERS m EUROPE.

FROM CAMPERS LETTERS W EURorE
 In lle haii to the lsl on entering the front door of the Royal Academy of Arts, and after passing Ju- per and Juno, still claiming the right to preside over tine guardian votarles, the vislant inds tie whole aniiy ithe Balbl two of them equestrian statutes in Greek marble-all dis sinerIcd from uereulaneun There IS no room for doubling the antiquity ol these specimens oi the arts. Here they are lust as they were taken from bed oflava, n ,chch then tqu eDi- 6atlned J0r some tirO MOnSd'd years. The mind re- poses on them with confidence, as a connecting link between the ancient and modern world. It is not a little humlllang to the pride oi man, prone to fancy the present age always the wses and to gard those that are past as comparatively barbaiOus to conten. plate these undoubted specimens of the fine arts. which the skill of the greatest masters of the present day could scarcely hope to equal So has it been with painting, with architecture with poetry with history, and eloquence. In the exhibonsof gepus. taste, and refinement it may be asked with empha. sis, what has the world gained since the Agustin age. of Greece and Romel In some of the above mentioned departments particularly in architecture. declenslon Is obvious; and every deviation from the Grecan orders has been departure from taste. IL IS enough to say, that Canoya, at the height of his lame, could not have fashioned finer horse than that on which the younger Balbus is seated.
 Let us now ascend a stately, handsome stair-way, and retrace our steps through tie labyrinth of the second story, with all convenient despatch, One
 
 Herculaneum and Pompeii, consisting ceieHy of household furniture, domestic utenals, and personal ornaments, presenting vivid picture ofancien man. ners Suppose the houses of all American city. to be buried in moment with all their contents to lie un- disturbed for seventeen hundred years and then to be opened wl all the articles of furniture compara- tiTely unin jured, and some idea may be formed of the nature of this Museum. So perfectly is the i'm age preserved that the rery bread is still seen ,rih he bdhors stump upon tt. The ten thousand little knicknacks of kitchens, parlors, bed chambers din- ner tables, and toilets here displayed, in almost as entire and fresh state as if they had been used yesterday. Time seems to have passed as it regards the contents of this cabinet and the lapse of nearly two thousand years to be annlhilated; combs, rings, jewels, and female trinkets without number attract the attention of the vsitan But il is impossible 10 specify, without entering into the whole circle of do- nestle economy, and making out inventories ofdwell- ing houses The large articles arrayed in groups along the middle of the roorns and the small ones are carefully preserved in glass cases lining ,te walls Several keepers are alwaysin waiting, and manifest good deal of patience well courtesey in sats- lying the curiosity Of strangers. Had it been possi- be, the contents of lie Museum should have been left in the localities, just as they were found on open ing the graves of the two cities.
 Without following the cicerones for the third or fourth time around the apartments, I will merely re- mark that the pride of knowledge as it regards the useful arts, is here eectuay humbled as the va riey of genius and taste is in the gallery below In the convenience and comforts of domestic fe-in lamps stoves and culinary utensials the citizens of Herculaneum and Pompeii were far in advance of the modern Italians, and scarcely inferior to any na- tion; all the metals used in the construction of furniture, and the workmanship is decidedly more finished than that of corresponding articles at the present day. The glass is as perfect as our own, and used for bottles and cups in the same manner. With respectto the uxuries oflife, tie refnements of the present age will not sustain n comparison with the past One ofthe cabinets is filled with canoes, naelos seals, jewels, ,gems and personal ornaments of all descriptions which surprise the spectator by the richness of the material and the exquisite beau ty of the workmanship. Among these is the magni6- cent couded agate, exhibiting the bead of Medusa, found in the tomh of Adrian