Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-10-08
The Eruption OF Etna.

A letter in Malta paper of 25 of August, gives
the following particulars of the late eruption Of
the great fire mountain of Italy:
At s p. NJ. of the goth of August, party
of English, with three guides three muleteers
and servant, together with eleven mules, lief
Nicolini, with the intention of ascending Noun
Etna, and taking shelter at the Casa Ingles.-
AT eleven O'Clock the party, in excellent spirits
reached the Bosco, were they put on their ligh,
clothing.
Passing the Bosco about two miles, the huge
crater below Etna, called the Coloss glared aw.
fully, and shortly threw up large bodies of fire
and smoke. Immediately after Etna vomited forth
its fire and ashes and as the wind set towards
Casa lnglese it was not prudent to seekits friend
ly shelter, as in all probability it would be de-
stroyed; their course was therefore changed, the
Coloss being now the point to which it was di-
rected.
The weather, which had been very cold, was
increasing in its comfortless intensity, and when
our travellers had got above the height of the
Casa Intiles, in narrow detile, of which sand
and small lava was the component parts, they
were overtaken by a hurricane so violent, that in
IN instant seven mules with their riders were
blown over, and not only so, but to render the
scene more terrific, it was afterwards found
that they were blown to the very edge of the
crater.
For the gentlemen to descend in search OF
their companions was the result Of a moment
decision. AT this time the scene was indescrib-
ably grand-Heaven and earth presented one
magnificent glare of light--Etna above vomit-
ing its sulphuric flames, the Colossi below
benching forth its dense masses of smoke, lu-
rid from the furnace below, the huge mountain
pouring forth out from its interior prolonged
al.
mighty and awful majesty. Crawling on their
knees and hands, unable to face the violence OF
the hurricane, the gentlemen sought the ladies'
WHO were not discovered and collected together
till after search of thirty minutes They
were then placed under columns of lava, their
light clothing literally blown of their backs, and
pyramid of living beings was formed around
them for their safety and protection
As by magic the scene suddenly changed -
An earthquake shook the land. Up jumped the
guides, braWling their unmusical ardnti! anran.
Il! (get on, get on) the mules were immedctely
abandoned to their fate, the hurricane increased
in strength-the scene around was to majestic
for contemplation, too diversified for description
in ten minutes the little party had fallen from
sheer exhaustaon on the pointed lava. To face
the wind, charged with sand and small stones
was beyond power. In this manner two hours
passed away, and most anxiously did they look
for the approach of dawn.
Within this crater, which some of the party haC
courageously examined, 40 small furnaces were
burning awfulIy; these, as they reached Catania
seemed TO amalgamate, and one vast issue ap
peared to carry destruction to some villages anC
pasture lands, which are reported, has been Sc
| riously injured.
Often has the indomitable energy and courage
of the soft sex, when tested, been proved to be
greater than that Of man Nothing on this oc
casion could equal their more than heroism.-
On setting forth their return, the sharp points
of the lava presented no obstacle; courageously
did they undertake their six mile walk, regard
less of all inconveniances, and reached the Bascc
at 7 A. NJ, when after an absence of sixteer
hours, hasty djeuneuer was welcome event
After spending few minutes in this employ
ment, they continued their journey by mules
and reached Nicoln by 10, whence they start
| ed for Catania, which they reached at q P. NJ