Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-15

.er DIys of PoMPEn, BY f. IL. D""e'
We nresent our readers with Chapter lio'ii
this work which will be published, in few days,
h., Oh. t4ar,ers of New York. The work is
bioblv commended by the English critics. bui- |
wer's novels, since the death OF OH !" a'e'
Scott appear 10 be the public favorites' we are
ourselves, not of the enthusiastic admirers oil DIS
writings, but pay willing tribute to his genius,
We will not. however, detain our readers from
the extract we have made, as specimen of the
new novel, The Chapter is entitled the "Flash
house in Pompeii, and the Gentlemen OF the
classic ring"
To one of those parts Of Pompeii which were
! tenanted, not by the lords OF pleasure, but by
its miuions and its vctms--the haunt oil gladl-
ators and prize-fahters-of me vicious ana me
nennyless-of the savage and the obscene-the
Alsatia OF an ancient cuy-"e are NJ" u"''-
ported.
II was a large room, that opcneded at once
IN the confined and crowded lane. Before the
threshold were a group OIL men, whose IRON
and well strung muscles, whose short and Her
chilean necks whose hardy and reckless coun-
! tenances indicated the champions N the arena
On shelf without the shop, were ranged Jars
of wine and OIL and right over this was inserted
in the wall a coarse painting, which eXhDlteu
gladiators drinking; ancient and so venera-
Bile is the custom of signs! WITHIN the room
were placed several small tables, arranged some
what in the modern fashion oil boxes, ana
round these were seated several knots OF men,
some drinking some playing at dice, some at
that more skilful game called "duOdecim scrip
! tp which certain of the laundering have mis-
taken for chess, though it rather perhaps, re-
sembled black CANNON OF The Two, and was usu-
allv though not always, played by the assiS-
lance of dice The hour was in the early fore
vi hpt DPrlaDS. than
seasonabe time itself denoted the habitual ndo-
| lence of these tavern loungers Yet despite the
situation of the house, and the character OF It's
Inmates it indicated none OF that sordld squalor
which would have characterized similar haunt
in a modern city. The gay disposition Of all
the Pompeians, who sought, at least, to crafty
the senses even where they neglected the mind,
was tp6ed by the gaudy colors which decorat-
cd the walls and the shapes, fantastic but not
inelegant, in which the lamps, the drinking cups,
the commonest households utensils were
wrought
.By Pollux," said one Of the gladiators, as
he leaned against the wall Of the threshold, "Ihe
wine thou sclles Us, old Silenus," and as he
smoke he slapped portly parsonage on the
Hack. "is enough to thin the best blood in ones
veins"
The man thus caressngly saluted and whose
barred arms white apron, and keys and napkin
tucked carelessy within his girdle, indicated
him TO be the host Of the tavern, was already
nassed into the Autumn OF his years, but his
form was still robust and athletic that he might
have shamed even the sinewy shapes beside
him. save that the muscle had seeded, as it were,
into flesh that the cheeks were sweled ana
bloated, and the increasing stomach threw into
shade the vast ana massive chesl WHICH lose
above it. -,
"None of thy scurriious blusterings with
me,n growled the gigantic landlord, in the gen
tie semiroar Of an insulted tiger; my wine IS
good enough for carcass which shall soon soak
the dust ofthe Spoliarium."
HCroakest thon thus, old raven" returned
the gladiator, laughing scornfuly; " thou shalt
live to hang myself with despite when thou
seest me win the palm crown; and when get
the purse at The ampitheatre, as | certainly
shall. nv first vow to Hercules shall be 10
forsHear thee and thy vile potations forever
more" .-..
"Hear to him-hear to this modest Pyrgopo-
linicesl He has certainly served under Bombo-
chidcs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES cried the host
Sporus, Niger, Tetraides, he declares he shall
win the purse from you. Why by the eternal
Gods. each of your muscles is strong enough
to stitle all his body, or know nothing OF the
arena!'
"Han said the gladiator, coloring with ris
ing fury; our Lanista would tell different $40
"What story could he tell against me- vain
Lydon?n said Tetrades, frownng.
"Orme, who have conqueredln hfteen nShtS,
said the gigantic Niger. stalking up to the ga-
diator.
{" Or me?" grunted sporus, with eyes of fire
Tush" said Lydon, folding his arms, and
regarding his rivals with reckless air of def
ance. "The time of trial will soon come; keep
your valor till then"
Ay, do" said the surly host; and if press
down nv thumb to save you may the Fates cut
my thread"
s'Your rope, you mean," said Lydon, sheer
ingly; " here is sesterce to buy one"
! The titan wine-vender seized the hand eXten'
ded to him, and grped it in so stern a vice that
the blood spirited from the fingers ends over the
garments of the bystanders.
They set up savage laugh.
81 will teach thee, you braggart to play
the Macedonian with me. | am no puny Per-
sian. | warrant thee! What man. have not
fought twenty years in the ring and never yet
lowered my arms once? and have not receiv-
ed the rod from the consuPs own hand as sign
Of victory, and as grace to retirement on my
laurels? And am | now to be lectured by
boy?" so saying, he flung the hand from him in
Scorn.