Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-11-14

stage, the numerous entrances, and the I
bases OF several statues which are taken
TO the museum at Naples. This is the
only part of the excavation that remains
open. the others having again been fill
led with rubbish. The noise Of the car
riages overhead in the street Of Portici,
was like deafening thunder.
In the hurry to get to Pompeii, which
is much more interesting, we ascended
to daylight, and drove on. Coasting
along the curve Of the bay, with only
succession of villas and gardens between
us and the beach, we soon came TO Tor
re del Greco, small town which was
overwhelmed by eruption thirty-nine
years ngO.~ Vesuv,us rises gradually
on the left, the crater being at distance
of FIVE miles. The road crossed the bed
Of dry lava, which extends to the sea in
broad black mass Of cinders, giving to
the country the most desolate aspect
The town is rebuilt just beyond the ush-
es, and the streets are crowded with the
thoughtless inhabitants, who buy and
sell, and lounge in the sun, with no more
remembrance or fear Of the volcano,
than the people of city in America.
Another half hour brought us to long,
high bank Of earth and ashes thrown out
from the excavations and passing on,
we stopped at the gate Of Pompeii.t A
guide met us, and we entered. We.
found ourselves in the ruins Of public
square, surrounded with small low CO.
lumns Of red marble. On the right were
several small prisons, in one Of which
was found the skeleton of man with its
feet in iron stocks. The cell was very
small, and the poor fellow must have
been suffocated without even the hope Of
escape. The columns just in front were
scratched with ancient names, possibly
those of the guard stationed at the door
Of the prison. This square is surround
ed with shops, in which were found the
relics and riches Of tradesmen, consist
ing of an immense variety. In one Of
the buildings was found the skeleton OF
new born child, and in one part OF
the square, the skeletons Of sixty
men, supposed to be soldiers, who, in the
severity Of Roman discipline, dared not
Ry, and perished at their post. There
were several advertisements Of gladiators
OF the pillars, and it appears that at the
/ time Of the eruption, the inhabitants OF
Pompeii were principally assembled in
the great amphitheatre at show.
! We left the square, and visited sever
al small private houses near it, passed
into "a street with slight ascent, the
pavement Of which was worn deep with
carriage wheels. 1t appeared to have
led from the upper part of the city direct
}, ly to the sea, and in rainy weather mus,
, have been quite n channel Of water, US
high stones at small distances were plac
ed across the street, leaving open place
between for carriage wheels. thin|
there is a contrivance of the same kin
in one of the streets Of Baltimore
i We mounted thence to higher ground
, the part of the city not excavated. 4
peasants hut and a large vineyard stanc
high above the ruins, and from the doc
the whole city and neighbo'hood are
seen TO advantage. The effect Of the
s.Vesuviu ius had for some time ceased 10 vomit fir,
and smoke as usual, q circumstance generally TN
presage Of mischief; and late in the evening o
Thursday, June 18th the inhabitants We're alarm
. ed by sudden aud violent shock Of earth
quake, which was thrice repeated continuing eacl
time about three minutes and us many seconds
, This first calamity produced general consterna
ton, nsomuch that the people fled from their hon
ses into the gardens, and thence to the sea-sid
where they passed the night in dreadful alarm
Next morning professions Of men, women an'
children, were seen barefoot in the streets Of Ma
rles, proceeding TO The cathedral to implore th'
protection Of st. Gennaro. From Thursday Il
Sunday, the weather was tempestuous, the air hot
loaded with vapours, and at intervals suddenl,
, darkened for some minutes; during which perios
5 there several slight shocks Of an earthquake
r attended by rumbling sound like thunder. Or
Sunday evening the inhabitants were again alarm
ed by morse like a continual discharge Of cannon
when, in a moment, burst forth volcano, not ia
the crater on the summit Of Vesuvius, but towart
, the middle Of the mountain, on the western side
Torrents Of flaming lava, Of portentous magni
tude, now poured down the mountain principal,
in two directions; one stream, Of about mile /,
breadth, bending lis destructive coarse towar,
Tore del Greco, q town OF eighteen thousand in
habitants. Al length, after three hours devasta
ton the stream of lava ran into the sea, forming
!, a bed OF near ffeen feet above the level Of the
water, and as much above the streets OF the town
The reflection from this torrent illuminated the
whole city Of Naples, (ten miles dlssant.) The
town Of Tore del Greco was completely buried,
some few tops Of the lofiic,t buildings excepted
while every part Of the country through which the
lava ran, became desert; the trees being thrown
down, the houses razed, and the ground for many
miles distant covered with cinden and ashes,
which last lay about one finger deep in Naples
tPompeii. as my readers know, was buried by
an eruption OF vcsuyius about thirty years aOe'
ha ~. r. g.. nd A., A..
e~ in vineyard over i, afler lying forgotten nea,
serenteen eenfwiesi The shower OF "cinder.
bot MAter and n.hesn which hurried IL setiled in