Thibodaux minerva., 1856-02-23
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NuMRER SIX.

occupied, seeing everything within walking Or
riding distance
The day appointed for our excursion up Mount
Vesuvius, was lovely; and six o'clock found us
some distance on our way. Took carriages as far
as the village of Resnia, some miles dstant-the
depot for ginoles donkies, mules and horses to be
used in the ascent. Our courier soon had an ami
NAL provided for each of us, I choosing donkey,
| as l had never had the noyel pleasure of riding
one. Ny outfit was very poor; but at such times
much can be endured, and took my seat without
any assistance-not feeling very elevated, however,
as my donkey was very little taller than large
Newfoundland dog Some of the party had very
lively animals, fond of kicking and prancing, while
others We're decidedly musical, enter tanning the
company occasionally with as good music as ever
came from the mouths Of donkies and mules.
However my outfit seemed to excite more laughter
than the rest of the party. The donkey was so
comically small, and my guide so amusing, in HIS
way, seeming to understand the nature of the
beast, he beat him most numerically, and with an
emphatic "umph!" which the donkey appeared
to understand perfectly, and urged him on-occa-
sionally lifting him up the steep places. 1t was
truly rugged rocky path, but had no fear, as
my donkey very sure-footed.
Rested at the Hermitage, fine mansion - miles
from Resna by the path, and thrice that distance
by carriage road which winds round the noun
tain as far as this place. After riding three miles
further, reached the frthest point to be attained
by fourfooted beasts, whence the cone must be
ascended with the assistance of sticks or canes,
which are found there for sale. Some employ men
to pull them up, and others carried up in chairs
made for the purpose. We were soon surrounded
with crowd of ginoles for the summit, determined
on being employed. At last they became SO very
annoying, our courier lost all patience, and as
suming very threatening and infurated attitude,
his stick uplifted, and by threats of immediate
chastisement succeeded in dispensing them. felt
perfectly competent to perform the labor before
me; but it being thought advisable for me to have
one of them to go before and pull me up, took
firm hold of the leather strap which he had around
his waist. l found it little or no assistance, how
ever; and taking it quietly and slowly, reached
the summit in about an hour-feeling very little
fatigue.
Would that could describe the scene that met
my earnest gaze! So subime-so grand-so be-
yond the comprehension of us poor mortals! There
are three immense craters or mouths, with some
smaller ones; but it seems impossible to give even
a slight description of them, for it is only by seeing
for ourselves that We can have any idea of their
appearance. Saw the spot where traveller was
lately killed by mprudently venturing too far down
in the mouth of a crater. The sand gave way, he
fell in and was smothered before he could be res
cued. The ground beneath our feet was very hot,
and roasted eggs in the crack of small crater,
where by placing the quite near, a tremendous
roaring sound was heard, as if from the depths of
perdtion!
Regretted much that we could not have been
here two weeks since, when the mountain was in
a stream to the distance of eleven miles, But still
feel that I shall ever remember this day with |
infinite pleasure and satisfaction, although on ac-
count of the dense smoke which filled the craters,
We had very imperfect view of them. Occasion
ally when the wind blew the smoke aside, we were
able to see down many feet.
We had ascended the cone by climbing up the
stone lava; but going down, our path lay through
he sand and ashes-and twenty moments found
Is at its base. Having mounted our rested beasts,
We proceeded on our Journey but found returning
much more fatiguing. The winding pathway at.
orded some fine views of the sea, and the country
round; while the city of Naples in the distance
eemed mere village in size.
On arriving at Resina l discharged my faithful
onkey, which had rendered me such valuable
ervices, aud afforded us so much amusement.
We then visited Herculaneum which lies
eneath this village-one entrance to it being but
few steps distant. This city was destroyed with
OF lava, A. D. 49, It was first discovered by
iggging well, but owing to the extreme hardness
the lava, and there being habitations above, the
have been carried on slowly. We
escended into the theatre, which is considered the
rgest in the world, and said to have been capable
seating 5000 persons. 9
How truly astonishing it seems, visiting these I
lins beneath thriving, populous town, after SO
ANY years had elapsed, before the people were ,
ware of its existence.
After emerging from these regions of utter dark
ess, we took rail cars, and soon were within the ;
lins of Pompeii, (which lies on the opposite side r
Vesuvius, twenty miles from Naples,) wandering 4
rough private habtatons, palaces, temples, and u
eatres. The houses are without roofs; and in .
} instance did we see them of more than one O
ory. The floors are nearly all Mosaic-stin per- f
ct; and the paintings on the walls, grotesque and a
deous in appearance, retain all their freshness of
lor: The streets are very narrow and we'll l
we'd, but show the marks of age and wear; Q
wing deep ruts every where visible, worn by G
heels of vehicles into the solid rock. The pave
ent is superior to any have seen, either in the
or new world-having very heavy curb, and
epplng stones at many of the crossings Visited
re very large theatre and several temples. In
latter affairs are still standing, supposed to have
en- used for the sacrifices of the ancients. This
y was destroyed at the same time as Hercula- h
um-but with hot ashes instead of lava. 1t is v
Al.