Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-05-01
TRAVELS IN SICILY.
A VISIT To pONJpEII,

The public have had no recent description
of Pompeii. The following letter from Mr..
Weed, editor of the albany Evening Journal
who is now travelling in Italy, shows the
progress which has been made in the eXca-
vaions, and will be found exceedingly in
teresting
NAPLES, February 90, 1852.
The day chosen for our visit 10 the long
buried city of Pompeii proved auspicious.--
We had he benefit Of bright sun and a
balmy atmosphere. To us it was day of
deep absorbing interest. We fingered for
six hours abou, the now solitary edifices and
silent streets which, two thousand years ago,
teemed with dense population.
|, is twelve miles from Naples to Pom.
peii. The road runs along the Bay shore at
the foot of Versuvius for ten miles, and then
turns to the southeast through valley aud
near the river Sarno, which is supposed 10
have been its ancient boundary, though
there is now a fertile valley mile in extent
between the city and the river. In going to
Pompei you pass through Poriic and Terui
del Greco, towns that have been built upon
lava foundations, and are sue TO be destroy
ed when Vesuvius discharges iseIf in this di-
reclion and yet the inhabitants live on as
little concerned as we are with the idea,
that the world is, at some future period, 10
be destroyed by lire-,an idea, by the way,
which finds strong corrobora,ive evidence ia
the fact that internal fire are rending noun
tains and upheaviEg seas throughout region
hundreds of miles in extent.
The ancient city of Pompeii is plainly in
dicaled by ridge or mound extending from
the base of Vesnvius 10 its excavated amphi-
theatre, which is situated at its eastern en-
tremi'y. Not much, if any more than one
third of the city has been excavated, and
most Of this was done by the French, though
the work has been progressing moderately
under The Neapolilan Government. The
task is herculean, for the city lies buried I'M
der volcanic earth from ten 10 twenty feet
deep, and as the roof of the buildings were
all crushed, the apartments were of course
filled with solid earth.
Volcanic soil is very fertile. The uneyca-
waited Whatever is planted or sown here
produces abundanlly. Extensive and beau
liful vineyards grow and bear luxurianlly.-
These vineyards give us the Lagrime Christi
aud Faleruian wines, which, though most
delicious, are heating and fiery, as may
well be inferred from the nature Of the soil,
which produces the grape.
There are about fifty laborers engaged
now in excavation. We were allowed to
use the pick but no, to take away any of the
spoils, though; like other visitors, we did
obtain few slucco and Elrnscan ware
Whenever a Sovereign visits Naples the
event is signaIized By developing, in his pre-
sence the contents of house, and these are
given by he King TO his royal guest. Eve
rylhing valuable found at Pompeii has beer
carefully preserved here in The Museum, tC
which, as well as 10 Pompeii, strangers have
free admission.
The excavation display streets, institution:
dwellings, shops, &c, in much more per-
feet condition Than had supposed. These
are all satisfactorily identified. There il
neither doubt nor obscurly as TO the Pan
lheon, the Tribunal, the Temples of Iris
Bacchus, Jupiter, Hercules the theatres
the baths, the houses of Diomede, Pan2a
&c, &c. Not only the walls of these build
ngs, hut their different compartments, with
in some instances, elaborate iresco painting,
aIe seen. Entire streets have been excava
ted aud renumbered. Wine and oil store,
were identified by the jars aud other vessels
in which these liquors were kept, anC
which ale still in use here. In large bake
house, the ovens of which are perfect bread
with the name Of the baker stamped OF
each loaf, was found. In Diomede's wine
vault, the wine jars are still standing agains
the wall' close TO which several skeleton,
were found, one of which was supposed tC
be either the wife or daughter from the