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

uQms ~ was DOT ume iOF amusement, Ter
rifed men and women ran for the sea; that
also fed back affrighted from It's shores, 50 that
even Pliny could not land before the city but
was forced to proceed 10 StabiR. The below
ing mountain, the sulphureous air, the quiz.
ering earth, would not let a city even so DIS
solute as Pompei gather to places Of public
amusement Consideration reiqned in every
street, and drove the frighted inhabiants away
from their dwelling. This Is DOUBTLESS the
reason why so few bodies were foudd. Those
that persisted were slaves or those who iarried
til some falling column or wall blocked up their
path, and the descending cinders blinded their
sight as they CROPPED about for way fegress.
Fear and darkness for a day was, turned into
nighL) might have enthraled others beyond
the power Of moving. And was standing on
the same pavement those terror stricken citl-
zens stood on 1000 years ago and was looking
on the same mountain they gazed on with such
earnest inquiry and fearful iorebOdings Then
il rocked and swayed and Numbered before the
penl up forces that threatened to send il in fag-
nenis through the heavens. Now silent and
quiet il stood on lie firm base. Yet to me il had
a morose and revengeiul look, as lift were con-
scious Of the ruin at lis feet.
The excavations are more extensive than
supposed, and the effect ofthe clear light ofthe
sun and the open sky on the deserted pave
ments is peculiar and solemn, A visit to il is
an episode in a mans life he can never forget.
| An ola column or broken wall left ola once
populous city interests u.s. 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 its inhabitants left it in their
sudden fear, increases tGniold the vividness Of
the picture. The little household things meet
ing you at every turn, give speciality to the
whole. AS strolled 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 a ride or a
visit. The scenes were familiar, and it ap-
pesred 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 i would hardly have surprised me to
have met the inhabitants just returning and
looking on me as a stranger and on intruder.
Il required an effort 10 convince myself that
these streets and these dwellings were ghrong-
cd and occupied for the last time nearly 1000
years ago. assure you the struggle was moi
to call up the past, but TO shake Il Gland
whom l finally stood at the gate and gave q
farewell look to the lonely city that family
4 hone in the light Of the sitting sun, feeling
Of indiscrlbable 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 filed
with loungers, all expressing in their manners
ana looks the NeapOlitan maxim, "doce far
niente," Gt is sweet to do nothing.) You have
heard Of the bright eyes and raven tresses and
music-hke language Of the Naepolitans; but
can assure you there is none Of it here, j. e.
among the lower classes. The only difference
/ can detect between them and our lRdians is
that our wild bloods are the more beautiful Of
two. The color is the same, the hair very like
indeed, as TO the Ssoit, bastard Latin" they
speak, it is one Of the most abomnabe dialects
ever heard. / know this is rather shocking
to ones ideas ofItalian women. am sure |
was prepared to view them in favorable, nay,
even poet cal light; but amid all the charms
and excite.nents Of this romantic land, | could
not sec otherwise. The old women are bags,
and the young women dirty, slip-shop slatterns.
| Talk about "bright-eyed Italian maids - A..
mong our lower classes there are five beauties
| 10 one good looking woman here. Il Is non
sense 10 expect beauty among a population
that live m filth and eat the West 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-
ses 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 al the pleasures ofthe day,
and | retire to my room angry with that poit-
ical and social system that requires two-thirds
to die Of starvation, that the other may die Of
surfeiL The King Of Naples has fine palaces,
while thousands OF his subjects have not one
blanket.
Mentalk Of travelling when the mind is ma.
tursd, but advise every one who wishes 70
enjoy italy TO visit It before he has ever
thought Of the irregularities and miseries Of the
world. Let him come into this beautiful climG
while the Imagination holds supreme sway and
life is a golden dream. He then win see but
It's temples and arts hear bun the voice Of the
past, and grow enthusiastic on a soil where
every stone is a monument and every wall a
history. | 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 fine palaces b
enters but five times year! Why should
LazzaroD multiply to be cursed by every stran
ger, merely that few lazy mobiles may turn
whole country mo beautiful villas to gallon
through Italy abounds in lovely scenery
and IS rich in classic associations; but be mus
be stupid observer or a heartless one VIII
can see and feel nothing else. As | wande
through the grounds Of pTncely noble, l en-
J ioy the beauty and taste that surround me, IN
/ iii mounting some point Of view look dow
on a country filed with half fed men, and thel
could hang him on one Of his own oaks
There stands glorious statute, but under ,
lies a live sufferer There is maguIhcen
church, but on iis ample steps are heaps Of rag
that each envelope living, suffering man
/, But win close BY quoting the language q a
italian, who after c0Hvefsing with me Tor
long time on this subject, drew 3 long sigh an
, said We must wait our time, Ala pazienza !
conhdenza sono sempre 81 rtOrnelo del Irou
badour," patience and trust are ever the bui
den Of the Troubadour. Yes-palience an
confidence; for the ridiculous farce Of King
{ viii have an end and humanity yet shake o
its rags and lay aside is shame. and assert az
take is long withheld rirhta. Yours DC.