Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1852-02-04
MOUNT ETNA.

This is the largest and most ex,raordina-
~ volcanic mountain in the world 1t is
1854 feet high-(th of Vesuvius is only
3,979)-and measures lS0 miles in circum-
ference at the base, and in its various regions
has three separate zones or climates. Over
its sides are scattered no fewer than II cities,
towns and and villages, occupied by abou,
l $4,000 people. To ascend it from Ca,ania
is a journey of "a miles. This journey is
one Of great fatigue, and very few travellers
are disposed 10 undertake it. This noun
tain produces all the necessaries and luxu-
ries Of life. The frs. region is the mos.
fertile, and affords corn, oil, wine, silks,
spices and delicious fruits. The second
yields beautiful forests and focks of game,
besides tar, cork and honey, and the third
snow and ice, while its caverns are stored
with marbles and mineral productions, such
as cinnabar, mercury, sulphur, alum, nire
and vitriol. Its timber keeps the Sicilians
warm in winter. and its ice cool in summer.
The sale of snow and ice collected from its
cone averages $4,000 per annum. The
tree Of hundred horse, so called because it
is supposed TO be capable of sheI,ering one
hundred horses beneath the canopy of its
boughs, is situated in one of the spacious
fields Of the lower circle. The. dense forests
are occupied by wild beasts, and the lo(ter
heights by tina. bird Of liberty, the eagle
"The bird that laves
Her sounding pinions in the suns first gush,
Drinks his meridian blaze and sunset flush
Worshps her idol in his fercest hour;
Bathes her full bosom in his hottest shower; -
Rides with the thunderer in his blazing march ;
And hears his hghtnings o er yon boundless arch"
The rays Of the rising sun strike the top
Of the mountain seven or eight minutes be-
fore they shine on Ca,ania al this time the
shadow of the mountain extends over the
whole island and even into the sea- The
view from the summit Of Etna battles de-
scripton. AT this elevation the diameter OF
the horizon commanded by the human eye
is estimated at 500 miles, which is equal to
circumference Of 24O0 miles. No wonder
.ha, the Emperor Adrian and philosopher
Plato were willing to undergo the toll Of
mounting to this altitude to enjoy the graft
fcatlon Of such prospect.
A French traveller, speaking of the effec,
Of the rising sun from the heights of E,na,
says that it was as if the universe had been
observed suddenly sprnging from the night
Of non-existence. The coast of Africa and
Naples, and all The intervening islands are
under the range Of observation. The massy
body Of the mountain is seen entire, and The
whole Island Of Sicily, with its rivers, cities
and hamlets in full relief, including the flow
cry fields of E,na, and the honied hills Of Hy-
bla. In the spring, when the trees begin to
flower, the island appears as if powdered
with blossoms. From such height the
people in the Wales below, seem but as grass
hoppers.
| But Elna is not always passive. II is
subject to errup.ions and earthquakes, and
when they take place, the land and the sea
become troubled, and the inhabitants are in
despair. When such mountain does speak,
it speaks with power. 10 calamity of this
nature, God is mans only refuge. OF the
earthquakes, one Of the mos. remarkable
described in history is that which happened
in 1893. Its motion was perceived in Ger
many, France and England, bu, Sicily was
the chief sufferer. 1t extended 10 circum-
ference of $500 leagues, and no fewer than
! 6fly-lour cities. with an incredible number
Of villages, were either destroyed or greatly
damaged. The city of Ca,ania was COM
pletely overlhrown. The sea suddenly be-
gan to roar, Mount Elna 10 send fourth grea,
spires Of fame, and soon after shock en-
sued, with noise as if all the artillery in
the world had been at once discharged.-
! The birds few about astonished, the sun
was darkened, the beasts ran bowling from
the hills; and although the shock did no. con-
,inue above three minutes, above sixty thou
sand of the inhabitants of Sicily perished in
the flames. When it was over Ca.ania could
not be found.