Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-16
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

Account of the first known Eruption of Noun,
vesuvius, and of the Death of the elder Pliny
in visiting it.-From Dupaty's Travels.
hin my last letter but one to your mother, my
ElIranC Charles, Imentioned the death of the elder
kRll(7 IA Ahat is to say, the first Button. ina.
S;ns apisI,nay have awakened your attention and
curiosity. but without enabling you to crafty Ell.
ther Were you little more advanced in the
study of the Latin language, would invite you
to crafty them youself by reading two letters OF
piny the younger, to Tacitus, on that fatal
event But as translation of these, my dear
boy, would be beyond your powers, it is my du.
ty to attempt one for you.
The following then is an abridgement Of PHI
ny's narrative:-
But first endeayor to impress your mind, my
dear Charles, with just sense Of the value Of a
letter in which the panegyrist Of Trajan, relates
TO the historian Tacitus, the death Of the great
philosopher Pliny, who fell victim at the be-
ginning of the reign of Titus, to the first erup'
ton of Vcsuvius.
You ask Of me the particulars of my uncle's
death, in order to transmit it, you say, with all
it's circumstances, to posteritv. thank you for
your intention. Undoubtedly the eternal re-
membrance Of calamity, BY which my uncle
DcTlSneu WIN bdbobof piUihioCu uhmot tdHtJ "
his name; undoubtedly his works also hatter
him with the same. But line Of Tacitus en-
sures it. Happy the man to whom the gods have
granted to perform things worthy of being writ
ten, or to write what is worthy Of being read
Happier still is he who at once obtains from them
both these favors Such was my uncle's good
fortune. willingly therefore obey your orders,
which should have solicited.
My uncle was at Misenum, where he com.
mandeh the fleet.
s0n the Esd Of August, at one 10 the afternoon,
as he was on his bed, employed in studying, at.
ter having, according to his cuetom, slept mo-
ment in the sun and drank glass Of cold water,
my mother went up into his chamber. She in
formed him that cloud of extraordinary shape
and magnitude was rising in the Heavens My
uncle got up and examined the prodigy; but With.
out being able to distInguIsh, on account OF the
distance, that this cloud proceeded from Vesuvl.
u.s. Ii resembled large pine tree: 1t had Its top
and its branches. No doubt wind proceeding
from the subterraneous cavities OF the mountain,
drove it violently forward and supported it in
! the air. Ii appeared sometimes white, sometimes
black, and at intervals of various coors according
as it was more or less loaded with stones or cin-
| ders.
| MY uncle was astonished; he thought such
phenomenon worthy of a nearer examination.
He ordered galley TO be Immediately made rea.
DIV and invited me to follow him, but rather choss
| to stay at home and continue my studies. MY un'
Gle therefore departed alone, and embarked VIII
his tablets in his hand.
sin the interim continued at my studies.
went TO the bath; | laid down, but could
not sleep. The earthquake. which for Sc
veral DAYS had repeatedly shaken all the small
towns, and even cities in the neighborhood, was
increasing every moment rose to so ant
awake my mother, and met her hastily entering
my apartment to awaken me.
We descended into the court, and sat dowI
there. Not to lose time, | sent for my Livy.
read, meditated, and made extracts, as | woult
have done in my chamber. Was this flrmnes'
or was it imprudence? know rot now; but
was then very young!t AT the same instant ont
of my uncle:s friends. just arrived from Spain
came to visit him. He reproached my moline
with her security, and me, with my audacity..
did not SO much as lift my eyes from my book
The houses however were shaking in 80 violent
manner. that we resolved to quit Misenum Ih
neope fsl3afenisakjp CONSERVATION, for fear some
s2 x = ds3I tt ia i,slf'got out of the town vi
n jst Z s {66n3 new prodisies and new
WIN Il Fshoee, which was continually ex
{l 5iS Pand covered with fishes left dry OF
u Jeaving every moment, and Eepell,,ng to
+ distance the enraged sea which Tell bac'
On itself; whilst before US, from the limits o
horizon, advanced black cloud loaded ~itl
lIoall fires, which were necessarily rending 1t
and daring forth large flashes of lightning 4
..The friend of my uncle now fec0mmenc
his opportunities. Save yourselves, said he,
is your uncle's will, if he be living, and his wi
if he be dead. We know not the fate OF my u
Gle, replied we, and shall we be concerne|
about our own! At these words the Spanlar'
took his leave
"At the same moment the cloud descended
and enyeoped all the sea; it was impossible an!
longer to discern either the Isle of Caprea or tn
promontory of Msenum. Save yourself, ny