The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-09
ETN A.

ETNA. r,..
A ATnRiLLlso STo.r.
Among the wondrous sights on earth, III,
volcano Of Eina will always hold just pro
eminence. Renowned by past and presen
history, sublime by its elevation, It's form an,
The awful secrecy Of unknown ierrors ,ha
lie concealed within lie bosom, the Stellar
volcano will always be viewed with III.
deepest and most solemn awe.
Twas with such feelings an6such thoughts
as these began 10 ascend tho volcano OF
The morning Of the 5ih Of May, ls49. I has
lei, Calania on the day before, in order Il
visit this wonderful spot did not wish Il
glance carelessly upon ii-no; Tor 10 m.
there was always something revereni. some
thing almost divine in connection with ,hi,
grand mass Of upheaved lava, which led me
10 look earnestly a, its rugged sides. wish
ed 10 ascend, TO view from its summit, the
faires, regions OH earth, 10 glance down into
those unfalhomabls depths, where fire, FIRE
in all Its terror, forever dwells, forever sirug
gles. a,
1t was with slow steps that assembled III,
cone, after the patient and hardy ponies had
been dismissed. had been an invalid and
the fatigue Of coming up the sleep and
rocky decliviiy might well have daunted me
But, after many restings and hal,ings,I was
able 10 attain the summit.
The summit, Good heavens can ever
forget the delirium, the transport Of Joy,
which the boundless prospect there, awaken.
ed within met Can ever forget the frs,
glimpse which | caught o! all the glories
aud the horrors Of Nature, mingled together
in such fearful union
Far away OIL one side spread the fertile
plains, the green meadows, and The gentle
valleys ofSicily. There were streams glanc.
ing and flashing In the sun as they wander.
ed to the sea, with ten thousand Iabyrin,hian
iurnings lakes whose CLASSY surface show.
ed moi ruffle nor ripple; there were ter.
races upon the sides Of hundred hills,
where The trellised vines pass along, all
green and blooming there were groves oi
orange trees, amid The dark green foliage Of
which the golden oranges peeped forth like
flashes of phosphorescent ligh, in a mid
night sea there were long avenues of cy-
presses, OF acacias, OF noble trees OF many
kinds, amid which kingly assemblages al
times could be seen the noble summit 0l
some stately palm. as il lowered on high
above the Others.
And the sea - the wide, the boundless,
the deep blue Medi,erranean-iher il
spread away, OIL Tho other side, as far as the
eye could reach, as Tar as thought could run
glorious as
"The dashng
Silver flashing
surges Of San Salvador"
But TO turn asiIe--and there beneath, .al
beneath, lies an abyss like that 'of which
Milton has sung IN sublimest mortal strains
I paused upon the brink and shuddering
gazed Jown-down The thick and funer
al volumes Of ioriuously y.ascending smoke
came seelhing upward, as from cauldron
II escaped through myriad Of crevices in
the rocky and precipiious sides, il poured
forth from behind projections, and united
with The vas, mass which came sublimely
upward from the unfalhomabls depths.
Here, upon the sandy, rocky edge, where
sulpher and crumbled lava, and pumice
stone, were all mingled together 10 form a
horrid soil, here sal and looked down.
From the scene beyond, from that glimpse
Of earth which made il seem like heaven ;
from that vision Of all that was most lovely,
and all ,ha, was mos, overpowering, 10 turn
and gaze into volcanoes deplhs-what a
change
Involved in a,housand thoughts sa, there
thinking myself alone, when asudden graf.
ing struck my ear. I was struck exceed.
insly, and turned around. The place where
I had been sitting was peninsula projec.
lion Of The cliff which formed part Of this
internal chasm.
Upon this narrow strip Of land, which
Joined il 10 The other cliffs upon The isihmus,
| saw mild looking, g,middIe.aged gentleman
approach me.
He was dressed in plain black clothes, and
in his hand he held n light stick.
81 beg yorr pardon. signor," said he, in a
polite manner, and with grea, softness OF
lone. beg yonr pardon for iniTuding my
self upon your company. Blu, il is not Cilen
that see any visitors so far up"
amy dear sir! ! Seq you will make no
excuse" replied Z" was just admiring
this scene below" l.us -
"Ah! yes tits a glorious sight"
Glorious ! say, rather, q terrible one"
"Tsuible, perhaps, 10 you; but do not
be surprised. if ! say 10 me II is lovely, alb.
solu,ely lovely"
As he spoke, smile Of bewiiching beau.
iy crossed his features. 49,
&c suppose your tastes nre different from
those Of many people, signor. have not
such feelings. Blu, may ask you II You
are often here ~ ...rI
"Ah! YES! 7 1.-Two here,n he replied,
waving his stick around. "I live here"
thought that he meant mo 10 under
stand iha, his home was on the mountain
where very many villas were situated.
"And suppose" ! continued, "tha'
You are very often on The summit {"
[" Oh, yes am here always"
always! What q s,runge fascination
!, has for you! ~ .. .-. 80. t
I" |, has! Il has % said the gentleman
"Oh (! fearful, ,'-and his voice grew low
and hollow" terrible fascination
was silent.
"i will tell you ;" said he sitting closely
by nv side, and turning his eyes full To-
wards me :" did no, wish 10 inform any
une. Promise me that you will no'."
I had iot noticed his eyes before but
saw now within their depths there cleaned
a strange and sinister light.
/ promised him. ant nj The same time
unea.ily drew back further iIom the edge.
Z" Well, then, sicnor." said he, u am
king here; rule Mount Eina"
"a Yeslo answered. little alarmed at
his words. and attempted to smile. afs-
eyes. I am king here. In me you see