The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-08-24

Inae boiled under her and struggled for free
dom. 1t was not time for anaTIsemert3 Tor.
nhed men and women ran for the sea: tina,
also ned back affrIghted from its shores, so tina,
even Phny could not land before the city but
was forced to proceed toStabig. The below
ing mountain, the sulpbureous air, the quiz.
erlng earth, would not let CITY even so dis.
solute as Pompeii gather to places of nnblic
| amusement. CONSERVATION reioned in every
street, and drove the frighted Inhabitants ava v
from their dwelling. This is Doubtless the
reason why so few bodies were found. Those
That persisted were slaves or those who carried
| till some falling column or wall blocked I'D their
path, and the descending cinders blinded heir
sight as they CROPPED about for way of egress.
Fear and darkness flor day was turned into
nlghi,) might have enthralled others beyond
the power of moving. And was standing on
the same pavement those terror stricken cit-
zens stood on 1000 years ago and was looking
on the same mountain they gazed on with such
! earnest inquiry and fearful forebodings. Then
| it rocked and swayed and Numbered before the
pent up forces that threatened to send it in fag-
| ments through the heavens. Now silent and
quiet it stood on its firm base. Yet to me it had
morose and revengeful look, as if it were con-
scious of the ruin at its feet.
The excavations are more extensive than
supposed, and the effect of the clear light ofthe
sun and the open sky on the deserted pave
ments is peculiar and solemn, A visit to it is
an episode in a mans life he can never forget.
An old column or broken wall left of a once
populous city interests US. We stand and muse
over the ruined pile till it becomes eloquent
with the history of the past. If one single
complete temple be found, how it increases
| the interest. But to wander through the whole
city standing as It's inhabitants left it in their
sudden fear, increases tenfold the vividness of
| the picture. The little household things meet
ing you at every turn, give speciality to the
whole. AS Istrolled from apartment to apart
ment; | almost expected to meet some one
within the door. / felt like an intruder as |
passed into the sleeping rooms Of others-as if
were entering the private apartments OF
those who were merely absent on ride or
visit. The scenes were familiar, and it ap-
peared but a short time since the eyes of
those who occupied the dwelling rested on the
same objects. In turning the corners of the
streets it would hardly have surprised me to
have met the inhabitants just returning and
looking on me as stranger and an intruder.
1t required an effort to convince myself that
these streets and these dwellings were throng-
ed and occupied for the last time nearly 1000
years ago. 1 assure you the struggle was not
to call up the past, but to shake it 0f-and
when finally stood at the gate and gave a
hone in the light of the sitting sun, feeling
of indiscribable sadness stole over me, and /
rode away without the wish ever to see it
again.
But the view of the bay, and the careless
laughing groups we met at every step, soon
restored our spirits. The streets were filled
with loungers, all expressing in their manners
and looks the Neapolitan maxim, "dolce far
niente," (it is sweet to do nothing.) You have
heard of the bright eyes and raven tresses and
music-like language of the Naepolltans; but l
can assure you there is none OF 1t here, e.
among the lower classes. The only difference
| can detect between them and our Iadians is
that our wild boods are the more beautiful of
two. The color is the same, the hair very like
indeed, as to the "soft bastard Latin" they
speak, it is one of the most abomlnable dIalects
I ever heard. know this is rather shocking
to ones ideas ofItalian women. am sure
was prepared to view them IN favorable. nay,
even a poet cal light; but amid all the charms
and excite.nents of this romantic land, could
not see otherwise. The old women are bags,
and the young women dirty, slip-shop slatterns.
Talk about 'sbright-eyed Italian maids )! A.
mong our lower classes there are flve beauties
to one good looking woman here. 1t is nom
sense to expect beauty among population
that live IN filth and eat the vilest substances
to escape the horrors of starvation. Whole
some food, comfortable apartments, and Clearly
clothing, are indispensable to physical beauty;
and these the Italians, except the upper clas-
SEES do not have. The filthy dens in which
they are crammed, the tattered garments IN
which they are but half hid, and the haggard
faces of hundreds OF unfed women and children
that meet me at every step, as enter the city
at night, overthrow all the pleasures ofthe day,
and [ retire to my room angry with that pollt-
ical and social system that requires two-thlrds
to die of starvation, that the other may die OF
surfeit. The King of Naples has tine palaces
while thousands of his subjects have not one
blanket. .
Mentafk of travelling when the mind is ma
| tured. but advise every one who wishes to
eniov italy to visit it before he has ever
thought of the irregularities and miserles OF the
world. Let him come into this beautiful cline
while the imagination holds supreme sway and
life is a golden dream. He then will see but
| its temples and arts, hear but the voice OF the
mast. and grow enthusiastic on soil where
every stone is monument and every wall
history. 1 could weep when see the havoc
tyranny and avarice make OF the happiness o.
man. Why is it these thousands around me
should weep and suffer and die, that one lazy
Prince may gofgeously furnish nne Palacss n Ia
enters but FIVE times year! why snoulo
,.azzaroni multiply to be cursed by every stran-
Ger, merely that few lazy mobiles may luIn
/ Whole country mo beautiful villas to gallop
| throughs Italy abounds in lovely scenery
aod Is rich in classic associations; but ne mus'
he stupid observer or a heaEtless one VINO
rsn see and feel nothing else. As wander
through the grounds of princely noble: en-, en-
/ inv the beauty and taste that surround me. un-
Iii mounting some point OF view look cow
country filed with half fed d. msU, and oat aae'
There stands glorious statute but under !
1 lies 1 4 live sufferer. There is a magnificent
church but on lis ample steps are heaps Of rags
that each envelope living, suffering man. IN :,
Bnt / will close by quoting the language OF a.
1, as Who go alter conversing with me for :
long time on this subject. drew long Sigh am
said We must wait our time. 'la pazlsn,zna re-. !
confidenza sono sempre 81 ritornello gel Irou
bsd orr.a patience and trust are ever the bur
dan Of the Troubadour. Yes-patlence am
confidence; for the ridicnlous aaree g Oh. nsn =
will have an end and humanity yet shake Q
- rans and Law aside its shame. and assert an
take rs long withheld rights. Yours &C.,