The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-04-13
Editorial Cor. of the Albany Evening Journal.
-. Letters from Mr. Weed.
Naples. Feb. 90 1852


ried city Of Pompeii proved auspicious. We
had the benefit Of bright sun aud baImy at
mosphere, To us IL was day of deep absor
hing interest, We fingered for six hours about
the solitary ediices and silent streets which,
two thousand years ago, ieemed with "a dense
population. ~ f't" '1
II twelve miles from Naples to Pompeii.
The road runs along the Bay shore at the
foot Of Vesuvius Tor Ten miles, and then turns
to the Southeast through valley and near the
river Safno, which is supposed to have been
its ancient boundary. though there is now a
fertile valley a mile in extent between the city
and river In going TO Pompeii you pass
through Ponici and Terni del Greco, towns
that have been bult upon heavy foundations,
and are sure 10 be destroyed when Vesuvius
discharge rselfin this direction; and yet the in
habitants live on as little concerned as we are
with the idea that The world is, al some future
period TO be destroyed by ire--an idea by the
way, which finds strong coiroboraiive evidence
in the fact that internal fires are tending noun
! ,aios aud upheavine seas thro ughout region
hundreds Of miles IN extent
| The ancient city OF Pompeii is plainly indi-
Gated by a ridge or mound extending from the
base Of Vesuvius TO i,s excavsred amphithea-
te which is'situated al It's eastern extremity.
| Not much, IL any, more than one-third Of the
city had bee excsvsied. and most Of this was
done BY the French, though the work hes been
progressing moderately under the Neapotan
Government. The task is herculesn, foi the
city lies buried under volcanic earth from teo
to twenty feet deep, and as the roofs Of the
buildings were all crushed. the apartments
were OF course filed with solid earth. n'
Volcanic soil is very fertile. The unexca
waited portions Of Pcmpei highly cultiva
ted. Whatever is planted or sowp here, pro
duces abundsutly. Extensive and beautiful
vineyards grow and bear luxuriapiy. These
vineyards give us the Lagrime Christi and Fa-
ernian 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 arc about fifty laborers engaged now
ia excavations. We were allowed TO use the
pick but not TO take away any Of the spos,
though, like other visitors, we did obtain a few
specimens. among which were fragments OF
stucco and E'tnscsn ware Whenever SOW
ereign visits Naples. the event is signalized by
| developing. in his presence, the contents Of
house, and these are gwen BY the King 10 his
Royal guest. Everything valuable found at
Pompeii. strangers have free admission.
| The excavations display Sreeis, Institutions,
dwellings, Shops. &C.. &c., in much more
| perfect condition than had supposed. These
are all satisfactorily identified. There Is noith
ef doubt nor obscu,iy TO the Pantheon. the
Tribunal, the Temples OF Iris. Bacchus, Jupi
ter, Hercules; the Theatres. the Baths. the
houses Of Diomede. Psnza &c., &c, Sc
| Not only the walls Of iiiese buildings, but their
| different compartments. with. ip some instan-
ces, elaborate Fresco paintings, ATE seen. En-
liIe streets have been oxcavsed aud renum.
bered Wine and Oil stores were Identified
| by the Jars and other vessels in which these
| liquid were kept, and which are still in use
here. In large bake house. the ovens Of
| which are perfect, bread with The name ofthe
baker stamped on each loaf, was found. In
Diomede's Wine vault. The wine srs are still
standing against the wall. close TO which sever
al skeletons were found, one Of which was sup
posed 10 be either the wife or daughter, from
The rich necklace, bracelet and esr-iincs. that
adorned the person or The sufferer. Near The
gate Of the cry leading TO Herculaneum. the
skeleton OF soldier who perished on daiy,
with his armor on his arms by his side, was
found. The sentry box in which this Soldier
was found Is perfect.
The amphitheaire was a noble structure.-
| The seats we've Of marble. Near the arena are
dens or sells, in which the wild beasts with
which the Gladiators couiended were Gagged =
In one Of these. the skeleton ofn Lion was
found 10 this Amphitheatre il is said that
&c, 900 spectators could be seated.
irregular size and shape. but with fiat surface
in which were cavities evidently caused BY the
wheels Of vehicles. The sidewalks are raised
like ours and handsomely paved with pebbles.
and around Temples, &c, with Mosaic. 10
: front Of the Home Of the Vestsls. there is a
fine Mosaic pavement. with the word SALvE,
(wclcome,) on the sill at its entrance. Iu one
Of the largest and most elegant houses were
marble dining tables.
! The king keeps intelligent guides at Pom
pe for the two fold purpose OF showing visit
ors through the City and protecting It's treas
: ures. We we're fortunate, in addition TO the
information gwen by the guide, in having Mr..
/ Morris, our Representative to this Government.
who knows Pompeii as he knows his own city
! Of Philadelphia with Us. Having wandered
for three hours, which took us abo al two thirds
+ through the city, we sat down upon the broken
E wall Of the tribunal. in view Of the Pa;heoD.
: the Theatre, &c, to our lunch, moistening our
J bread with Falernian wine distilled from vine
J yards growing over city, whose inhabitants,
eighteen centuries ago. held this beverage as
fit for their gods Having discussed our viands,
we resumed and completed our pilgrimage,
passing out Of the City at gate which opened
upon an Appiap Way that led 10 Rome on ei-
thef side OF which, for some distance, were 'ombs.
4 ! wish il were possible to impart 10 friends even
a faint idea Of the solemnity and mpressiven ness
OF Pompeii. Though walking literally among
the lombs, al the aspects Of Pompeii are cheer
ful. The streets are clean, and all around you
is a Stiffness in harmony with the scenes and
i,s assoois,ions You look up on smoking We.
suvips, down which the butning lava ran. max
ihe fef itself channels which s,i remain.
Having thus explored Pompcii, we repaired
20 The rlusenn, where us recovered treasures
are deposited: aud here again, mingled amaze
rnent and admiration, with even increased in
tensity, are awakened. These measures (be-
longing in part to Herculaneum) 6li eight spa
}. cious Halls. each devored to classified articles
The room We visited frat contains kitchen fur
u niture Of every conceivable description, most
!, ~ 10 bronze, and bearing a strong resemblance
o 10 articles now IN use. In this department oI
domestic life, the Pomp eiians were not behind