Litchfield enquirer., 1844-10-03

side OF the cone, throwing up fiery stones and
smoke like the larger one While seated quietly
and calmly the inside of the outer cone looking
with an intensity of wonder and admiration at the
mysterious workings of this singular phenomenon,
felt within me the workings of that quality which
men attribute peculiarly to females and call curios-
ity,but which I,quite willing to admit the property
am disposed to denominate laudable desire for
the acquisition Of knowledge. really could scarce
restrain my inclination to explore these inner re-
gions, and discover what was doing below there to
cause such a commotion above; but as have not
the fame of Pliny to leave behind concluded it
best not to tempt his fate by too an approach
to the yawning burning pit; so eontented myself
with gazing upon it from the secure position in
ing some of the eggs the guides had roasted in the
burning sands by, when if on purpose to dis
turb our delightful tranquility, the wind suddenly
changed, and blew the whole stream of sulphurous
vapour directly in our faces, that for few mo.
ments we were almost suffocated with collation.
of bread, eggs and fruit, and what was perhaps still
better draught of the real ssachrymore Christi"
(what drink for sinners, is it not the tears of
Christi" and what name for wine! but they take
strange liberties here with the Saviour and Virgin
Mother,) the gentlemen determined to descend to
the depths below, and have nearer view
of the doings there, remained above with
Major G., who was not quite we'll, and some of the
guides; in about ten minutes we looked down upon
our venturesome companions, the two English gen.
tlemen and Mr.. c., who were standing near the two
ori6ces midway up the cone. Between the base of
the outer and inner cone is channel or bed of la
va perhaps $50 feet wide, which they told us had
mostly formed during the last month. This was
filed with cracks and crevces, and twas over this
they walked to reach the inner cone. They put
their sticks into these crevices and they blazed in
simultaneously. Then putting pennies andencosing
them in the still soft and yielding lava they raised
it in portion Of the lava with their sticks, and
this feat performed returned to US with their tro-
phies. 1t looked venturesome as we regarded them
near 400 feet below u.s. the red hot stones apparent
ly falling around them, and when they reached US,
bearing the proofs Of their prowess the pennies
veloped in lava were still so warm that we could
not bear them in our hands. They said some of the
stones fell within three feet of them, and suspect
ing there was "mol aria' in the neighborhood
thought it advisable to withdraw, The inner as.
cent is quite fatiguing the outer one, and the
gentlemen required little time to recover their
breath and strength. We then with the two Eng.
lshmcn comaenced our descent Instead of going
oyer the broken lava by which we had assembled
our descent was made on the part covered with
ashes or sand mingled with blocds of lava. We a.
unused ourselves with rolling some of thsse down
the side of the volcanoes pealsandAos steep and pre-
cpitous is it, that they did not stop in their head
long course until some distance on the level at its
base. The descent is accomplished with ease and
safety if you 90 slowly but every step you sink far
above the ankle in ashes, and your feet being thus
shackled any attempt to go fast brings you to the
ground. One of the Englishman with us yielded
TO the force that impels you downward, and from
walking fast was soon obliged to run. He could
not stop himself nor could his greatest speed an
swer to the greater impetus that mpelled him on.
He was at last precpitated forward many feet fall.
ing upon his face among the stones and sand, where
he lay like one dead. cannot describe to you with
what anxiety we had watch his rapid career with
such rash and daring speed, expecting every mo-
ment to see him dashed to pieces. We FASTENED to
the spot where he lay, and on raising him found
his face dreadfully cut and bruised, and bleeding
profusely, as were also his hands, He soon reeov-
cred, and after little time was able to assure US
that scratches and bruises were all the injury he
had received, though there were enough Of them,
and his really handsome face was sadly disGgured.
He was quite sure he had seen more Uolcanos than
any Of US, and said there was any quantity of fire
where he first struck. We offered him our travelling
companion-a flask of brandy-with which we are
always provided, to in case Of sickness or acct
dents; with this he bathed his wounds, bearing it
like hero, but his friend would not allow of any
inward application, nor did we think it advisable.
They assisted him to rise, and after little while
he was able to proceed without assistance.
We did not forget in our descent to look upon the
lovely landscape below. Lovely it always is but
but though the pureness Of the atmosphere allowed
US clear and distinct view of the islands and
mountains stretching far away into the blue waters
of the Mediterranean the pretty villages scattered
over the amphitheaire Of hills which form the en-
virons, and the whole of the palace lined crescent
Of the Bay, all outspread below US, did not admire
it as much as other less extensive but more beaut-
full views which we gain from many points about
Naples, particularly from the heights Of the Scam
pc Santa" the new cemetery. Near the place
where we regain orr horses government is erecting
4