Litchfield enquirer., 1844-10-10

ready described others IT will be necessary ONLY tc
mention some points Of difference Those of Ma.
Piles are superior to those Of Malta or Syracuse -
they consist of three stories or ranges one above
the other, are quite lofty with fine wide passages
beautifully arched, and are ornamented with fires.
Goes. The places for interment are in chambers,
but the divisions instead of being placed side by
side are one above the other; they are much more
regular, built with more order and method, than
any we have seen, and are also still more extensive
Many of them contain bones and skulls, and there
is large pitt where are bones thickly mingled with
the earth, where they buried those who died of the
plague Leaving this we visited the different GEM
eteries. First is the new campo SANTA" beaati-
| fully laid out and handsomely ornamented with
plants and flowers, forming delightful resort for
the inhabitants for walk or ride, and commanding
views to be had from any part of Naples. There
! are very many elegant mausoleums and other mon
uments with profusion of flowers and shrubs to
beautify and adorn, Attached to this is a cemete-
ry for such Of the poor afford to pay for their
burial. 1t is large and spacious square enclosed
oOAAN
ment. Underneath is a huge vault divided into
cells. A stone in the pavement made to raise, is
the entrance into these huge graves, some Of which
are owned by associations, number of families.
Leaving these cities of the wealthy dead, we
drove to the old Campo Santa, where the paupers
or those who cannot pay for their burial are inter-
red. This is an enclosure exactly similar to the
IL 9.
vided into 1855 cells, answering in number to the
days in the year. These are each 16 feet square
and 20 deep, which will give you some idea Of the
! s ize of the enclosure.
These cells have each an opening in the pave
nent like trap-door. Every morning one is
opened and at eight in the evening the burials, in
number from ten to twenty, take place. The man
raised the stone to give us view of the interior ;
it had been closed just year, and nothing was to
be seen within but few bones mingled with the
earth on which they lay, and all the odor percepti
BILE was damp earthly smell. While we were
there body was brought, in gaily painted box,
from the hospital of the poor, and the man who
bore it his head after settling it down offered to
show it US, and suppose would lave gladly done
so for carlina, (about eight pence) but we had no
such desire. The boxes are made to open at one
end, which is placed at the mouth of the cell and
the bodies slide into it uncoifined and unknelled,
though priest reads the prayers and sprinkles
holy water over them. Quiekslime is then thrown
into the CELL when it is closed tO.be opened again
on the same day Of the next year
Before closing this long letter will mention an
:oI, howo
morning we availed ourselves of an opportunity
that does not often occur, Of steamer going on an
excursion to Capri, to visit the rocky looking iset
celebrated chiefly for the picturesque views afford
ed by its lofty cliffs and the ruins of the palace Of
Tiberius with other of his splendid constructions,
now, however, too ruinous to afford any certainty
Of their original nature. singular grotto. Disco
vered few years ago, seems to be at present the
great attraction. 1t is called the I" azure grot"
from the deep and peculiar blue of its waters, and
when the sun shines into it the reflection upon its
stalactited roof is very beautiful 1t was good
two hours sail, and there sufficient motion to
make many sick and all uncomfortable The day
was, however, warm and clear, and we had fine
view of Naples its bay and beautiful environs. As
soon as we reached Capri and were stationary. the
passengers all put off in boats for the grotto and
after rowing half an hour over tossing waves we
reached the small entrance of the ocean cave
The entrance was through long and narrow arch,
so small that only boats of peculiar construction
can make their way-but two persons can go in
them and these must place themselves in the bot
tom of the boat in horizon al position. great
degree of skill and address is necessary to pass
through, and we were sometime tossing about the
entrance, the waves dashing furiously against our
frail bark as we entered. Within is long, low
vaulted chamber, blue above and blue beneath, and
all the animate within were of the same true blue
In the su miner months there is boy who swims
in for the amusement and pleasure of visitors and
his appearance is likened to silver frog. For my
part was glad to beat retreat and get safely out
many got well sprinkled and one gentleman of our
party was completely drenched from his hat to his
boots, which was unfortunate as there was no pos
sbility of a change till our return to the Hotel.
Returning, we landed at the village of Capri, and
with guide commenced our ascent by narrow
mule path leading to the ruins after we had toiled
up to a pretty good height and supposed we had
neared our journeys end, we were told it was still
an hour farther and would take hour to descend.
This was disappointment, as the steamers return
would not allow US time to 60 on, sc without more
ado we retraced our steps, unable to see the palace
Of the Emperor ourselves with the tine
views our toilsome walk had obtained for US.
And now, my dear little ones, will only say to