Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-15
Jo.- Correspondence Of the Spy.
Of a Traveller =,

1t was full $50 NAPLES, June 18th.
|. dronDod - hours after our steamer b.,
,sf1rp her anchors in the harbor 90 Ne. la'
- we were permitted to land o,vna -. :. .s
e1''0n At the police Office and c,sta', - H'
! med 81 ssase and passports were CLOSELY aSs~
after seig the Ofic asHs' PFsny Gty VI qsto
permitted to go to our lodgings, the "Hotel de
Russie," very large and fine house, fronting the
Bay. On our way up to the Hotel, we were con.
stantly surrounded by scores of lousy beggars,
the most wretched looking creatures ever seen,
who kept up continual clamor for money.
The weather being calm and pleasant, with an
agreeable temperature, the sail up the placid and
loyely Bay, this afternoon, was perfectly delight.
| fY. With Vesuyius, and its ever. ascending col
umn of smoke, together with the numerous other
objects of exciting interest, in full view our sen
sations may be imagined, will not attempt to
describe them.
Naples, July 4th.-we have been very busy
since my last date in sightseeing, here; but our
time being limited to few days, where for weeks
or months we might be interested in viewing the
many curiosties, much will have to be omitted.
think the most interesting day we have ever
passed, was the one we spent in visiting the ruins
Of the ancient cities of HGrculaneum and Pom.
peii-the history of which, is fresh in the minds
OF all. 1t is impossible for me to convey cor
rect idea OF the sensations which impress the
mind while walking the streets of these ancient
cites-two thousand years ago, crowded with life
and activity, now SO quiet and deserted
Both cities were buried with the hot ashes and
burning lava of Vesuvius eighteen hundred years
ago. and it is only about one hundred years since
they were accidentally discovered, their exact
locality being unknown. Both places are nearly
ten miles from the mountain, near the sea, and
four or five miles anart Herculaneum was bu. |
ried much deeper than Pompeii. Its locality was
discovered while digging we'll: after getting |
down fifty or sixty feet, they suddenly came upon
the top OF large marble building. F0rther ex-
pioratons were Immediately made, and MANY
streets and elegant buildings were discovered
But, as the large town Of Portici is situated i'm
mediately over the buried city, it was not thought
safe or advisable to make many excavations from
the fear of caving in.
Pompeii was discovered by man while Mt
work in field. Not having been buried much
under the surface, some part of building became
exposed to view. Explorations soon took place
large quantities of scoria, lava, and ashes, were
carted away, and the result was, that large and
handsome city was again brought to the light af
ter so long burial. All the buildings were of
brick, or stone, or marble, and some of them yerv
elegant. The floors, particularly, were MANY of
them beautifully inlaid with marble of many col.
ore, altogether handsomer than any now seen in
our modern buildings. Most eff theinterior walls
Of the houses are frescoed and their colors are as
fresh as if done yesterday. The exterior brick
walls are generally covered with a stucco of va
nous colors, and beautiful finish, some OF which
IRE as perfect as if just completed, and still re-
aiming polished surface, smooth enough to
nearly reflect ones face. The rooms are usually
mall; from ten to fifteen to twenty feet square
With the ceilings eight to twelve feet high. Most
II the houses appear to have been but one story
hgh although. few are higher. Some of the
buildings are very large, and the architecture
rand and imposing. ltseems to have been an :
nclent custom for the owner to paint or engraye
is name in the stone cap over the front door of
IS house. Numerous names are still to be seen
yer the doors of the houses in Pompeii, and