Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-06-19

~ , N'HllDoI 3.
diously to the opposite side, large fiat
stones, three lofwhich take up the width
of the road, were laid at a distance from
each other. AS the carriages.in order
to avoid these stones, were obliged 10
use the intermediate spaces, the tracks
ofthe wheels are most visible. The
whole of the pavement is Id good con-
dition; it consists merely Of consideras
bic pieces Of lava. which, however, are
not,cuty as 1.-THE present. into squares,
land may have been on that account the
more durable. N
fhe enfrance into IUnnpea isfI1ro
WHAT'S now called tho Street Of Tonbs.
The part which was first cleared is
snpPoscd1to have. been the main street
/ ]ofPompeii; but this is much to be doubt
ed, as the houses on both sides, with
the exception Of few, were evidently
the habitations of common citizens, and
were small and provided with booths.
The street itself is likewise narrow:
two carriages only could go abreast ].
and it is very uncertain whether it ran
through the whole town; for, from the
spot where the moderns discontinued
digging, to that where they recon.
menced, and where the street is sup.
posed to have been again found. wide
tract is covered with vineyards, which
may very well occupy the place of the
most splendid streets and markets,
still concealed underneath. e.H
Among the objects which attract
particular attention, is booth, in which
liquors were sold, and the marble ta-
bic, on which are the marks of the
cups left by the drinkers. Next to
this is a house, the threshold of which is
inlaid with black stone, on which is
|inscriebd the word SALvE, implying a
solution in token of hospitality. On en-
tering the habitations, the visitel is
struck by the strangeness of their con-
struction. The middle Of the house
forms a square, something like the cross
passages Of a cloister, often surrounded
by pillars; it is cIeanly, and paved with
party-colored mosaic, which has ain a.
[greeable effect. In the middle is cool.
ing well; and on each side little
chamber, about ten or twelve feet
, square, bat lofty, and painted with a
| fine red or yellow. The floor is ol
. mosaic; and the door is made generally
, to serve as window, there being but
' one apartment which receives light
; lhrougha thick blue glass. Many Of
these rooms are supposed to have been
bed chambers, because there is an ele-
waited broad step, on which the bed
may have stood, and because some oil
the pictures appear most appropriate
to a sleeping room. The larger of
these apartments served for dining
, rooms, and in SINE are to be met suita-
bic accommodations for hot and cold
baths. . ....-... I'D. ......
One Of the houses belonged to a
statuary, whose workshop is full of the
vestiges OF his art. Another appears
| TO have been inhabited by surgeon,
t whose profession is equally evident
, from the instruments discovered in his
, chamber. A large country house near
the gate undoubtedly belonged to a
very wealthy man, and would, in fact,
still invite inhabitants within its walls.
1t is very extensive, stands against a
hill. and has many stories. Its finely
4 decorated rooms are unusually spa.
: cious; and it has airy terraces, from
which you look down into pretty gar,
, den, that has been now again planted
J with flowers. In the middle of this
| garden is large fish pond, and near
that, an ascent, from which, on two
sides, six pillars descend. The hinder
pillars are the highest, the middle some.
what lower, and the front the lowest:
they appear, therefore, rather to have
propped sloping roof than to have
f been destined for an arbor. A cover
] ed passage, resting on pillars, encloses
the garden on three sides; it was paint
ed, and probably served in rainy wealth
er as an agreeable walk. Beneath is
fine arched cellar. which receives
air and light from several openings
from without; consequently its Amos
, pAere is Sc pure, that in the hottest
, parts Of summer it is always refresh
ing. A number Of amphore, or large
wine vessels, are to be seen here still
leaning against the wall, as the butler
left them when he fetched mp the last
goblet Of wine for his master. Had
: the inhabitants Of Pompeii preserved
these vessels with shoppers, wine might
still have been found in them; but as
it was. the stream Of ashes running in,
, of course forced out the wine. More
than twenty human skeletons Of fugi-
i tives, who thought to save themselves
here under ground, but who experi>
, enced a ten fold more cruel death than
those suffered who were in the open