The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-08
ERUPTION Of YcSuYiuS.

| NAPLES, Wednesday, May 2.-Eve ~ thing in
| Naples is, for the present. rxtlngulshed by one
| great lacr-the eruption Of Vesuvius. King, Min
rsters, and policemen in their several spheres, are
| all scorched and shriveled up into uohngness.
| | am disposed 10 think that a NeapoIitan might
girde round his waist, or beard, or
| wide awake, so all absorbing is The eruption OF
Vesuvus. We have been expecting and longing
for it for some time The wells at Resna had
been dried up. More than once since 1850, the
mountain has Numbered and smoked aud in the
beginning of the year portion OF the crater fell
| in. Great numbers of strangers have, therefore,
waited till very late in the season. in the hope Of
seeing this extraordinary spectacle, and have just
taken their leave, when the mountain, as in "des-
petto,'' breaks out.
The principal guide, who is Cozzaling, reported
on the morning Of the 1st May that he had just
assembled the mountain, and that arriving The
summit there were thousand reports of can
non, and then thrown up discharge Of red
hot stones. The rain, and mist, aud smoke how
ever, all ming led together, prevented near APP
proach or nearer observation, and we are, there.
fore, for the present, left TO our unaided observa
tons. During the whole Of yesterday nothing
was to be seen but smoke and cloud, which
veloped not only the mountain, but the whole
coast, and then swept away in immense volumes
towards Capri. In The centre OF the cloud how
ever, might be any sulphurous colored plain,
which, by a shade difference in The color, and by
the we'll marked outline, indicated that it was not
all smoke, but that lava was coming down.
AS evening the heavens were IN
bright glow, and the whole population focked
down TO the mole Of Lanta Lucia, to the mag
nificent spectacle 1t was one Of those undefnod
scenes which give the imag inarion full play. The
form of the mountain was indstinguIshable /; no.
thing was to be seen but clouds, smoke and fire.
Up 10 the very zenith the sky covered with
large dubious clouds black as ink, and irnged
with white underneath and half way down the
mountain. everything fire, while right in
the centre OF it shot up cone OF black smoke.
Still lower again dark clouds covered The noun.
tain, having, too as their centre-plece and con-
trast the river Of lsva which is running down to-
wards Resiua.
A few days since, was exploring with the MI
ners among the ruins, which still lie buried under
the modern city. Tie neighbo:ing mountain was
rumbling and smoking, and referring the inhab-
itants as it were. 10 The history OF the past, but
they took no notice OF it, aud ]. doubt whether
they now do so, except to calculate The! amount OF
profit it may bring 20 them; for an eruption OF
VesuVus is to them good as fire to The Lon
don thieves. During the whole Of las, night there
was perfect procession of carriages towards he
sina. | contented myself with remaining here ior
the first view. but probably shall 60 over tonight
and will send you further details by Saturdays
boat. The scene rendered still gTnnder Oy
an eclipse of the moon, which took place about
two hours and a hall after midnight.-Lonao"
NcarS.