Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-16
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heau tnick ciouu was rushing precipitately to-
wards US. Mother, said l, let US quit the high
road; the crowd will stile us in that darkness
which is pursuing Us. Scarcely had we left the
Then nothing was to be heard but the iamenta.
tons OF women, the groans Of children, and the
cries ofnaen. We could distinguish through the
confused sobs, and the various accents of grief
the words, my father!-my son!-my wife,-
There was no knowing each other but BY the
voice. One was amenting his destiny; another
| the fate Of his relations; some were imploring
the gods; others denying their existence; many
were invoking death to defend them from death
Some said that they were now about to be Blu.
ried with the world, in that concluding night
which was to be etsrnal;-and amidst all this,
what dreadful reports! what imaginary terrors!
Fear exaggerated and believed every thing
sin the meantime gIimmering penetrated the
darkness; this was the conf1agration which was
approaching; but it stopped and extinguished;
the night grew more intensely dark, and the show.
er Of cinders and stones more thick and heavy.
We were obliged to rise from time to tire to shake
our clothes. Shall say it? In the midst Of
this scene Of horror, not single complaint es-
caped me- consoIed myself amid the fears Of
death, with the reflection thatthe would was about
to expire with me.
~ dispersed and vanished. The day revived,
and even the sun appeared but dull and yellow.
ish. such he usually shews himselfin an eclipse
What spectacle now offered itself to our vet
troubled and uncertain eyes! The whole coun.
try was buried beneath the ashes, as IN winter un.
der snow. The road was no longer to be discern.
ed. We sought for Misenum, and again found
it; we returned and took possession; for we had
in some measure abandoned it. Soon after we
received news of my uncle. Alas! we had but
too good reason to be uneasy for him.
81 have told you, that after quitting Misenum,
he went on board galley, He directed his
course towards Retna, and the other towns which
were threatened. Every one was flying from it;
he however, entered it, and, amidst the general
confusion, attentively observed the cloud; but
thick and burning ashes beat down on his gal
Les. already were stnnes falling ell arouAi- Anh
the shore covered with large pieces OF the noun.
| tain. My uncle hesitated whether he should re-
turn from whence he came, or put out to sea-
| Fortune fduors courage, Exclaimed he'll let as
furnstoWards Pon,ponianus. Ponponianus was
at Sabine. My uncle found him all trembling;
embraced and encouraged him, and to comfort
him,by ahis security, asked for bath, then sat
down to table and supped cheerfuIy; or, at least,
| which does not show less fOrttude, with all the
appearance Of cheerfuness.
4 Is In the meantime Vcsuvius was taking fire on
4 every side. amid the thick darkness. 1t Is the
1yiaces which have been abandoned that are
aurnins, said my uncle to the crowd about him,
1f0snde ayor to quiet them. He then went TO bed,
aanitfrll He was in the profoundesi seep,
whss ts b d oie house began to fill VITA cn-
def6B and Isl lie psssases were nearly closed up
! TheS f6n to him, and we're obliged to awake him.
He rises, Joins Pomponianus, AID delibera'es
with him and hisattendants, what is best to he
done, whether it would be safest to remain in the
| house or ly into the country. Ifthey remain no "
might il be impossible to escape from the earth
which is opening beneath their feet; and if they
Hy, from the stones which are falling every
where? They chose the lattet measure; the null
titude following the dictates OF fear, my uncle
convinced by reason.
They departed instantly, therefore, from,
the town, and the only precaution they could
take was to cover their heads with pillows. The
day was reviving every where else; but there 1t
continued night, horrible night! the fire from the
cloud alone enlightened it. My uncle wished 10
sa,n the shore, Notwithstanding the sea was tre-
mendous. He descended. drank some water,
had sheet spread, and lay down omit. On a.sud
den, violent flames, preceded by sulphureous
odor, shot forth prodigous brightness, and made
every one take to fight. My uncle, supported
by two slaves, arose; but suddenly, suifocated
by the vapor, he fell--and Pliny was no
more"
1t is a remarkable circumstance, my son, that
some naturalists walking amid the ffowers' on
i the summit Of Yesuvius. the very day before TINS
Eruption, were discussing whether this mountain
y volcano.
Nhar narrative, my dear Charles! it displays
,ou. at once, the FIRST known eruption OF We.
s;u. one of the most amentab'e scenes, one
= the most deporable deaths, one OF the most
fSptrenid instances of a passion for knowledge,
one Of the finest wits Of antiquity; and it might
still further teach you what is the tenderness Of
!. a mother, could you not learn that from your
own.