Minnesota weekly times., 1857-04-11

Foreign Correspondence Of the rtmes.
An American Lady IN Italy.
RoxE, Feb. q, '57.
Mr.. Editor,--When we separated, promised
to write you short account Of my journeyings
abroad. Foreign places of interest are made fa-
miliar to the American people by the varied and
vcluminous descriptions of travellers, yet as each
visitor sees through different medium, have
finally concluded to comply with your request.
Among all the scenes which abound on the
European continent, perhaps Pompeii possesses
more deep interest in its associations than any
other. We had been some days at Naples, hav-
ing viewed its beautiful bay, assembled Vesuvius,
and visited the capacious museum, in which are
collected the rare curiosities and treasures bro't
from Pompeii, before we started for that long
buried city. 1t was lovely day, and after
pleasant ride of an hour and three quarters, we
aiighted from our carriage, took guide and en-
tered. could hardly believe that all my past
anticipations were about to be realized-that l
was indeed to see the entombed Pompeii Of my
dreams!
went musing along until We came to the Am
phitheatre, which is at the extremity Of the city,
and at some distance from the Theatres. 1t was
capable of holding about 20 900 persons, greut-
sr number than the population of the city. Its
form is oval the greatest diameter 400 feet; the
architecture is perfect-a fine corridor, paved in
lava, and formerly ornamented with statues, but
the inches and inscriptions are still seen. Three
passages lead to the arena the smallest served
for the wild beasts, another for the entrance Of
the gladators, and the third for carrying off the
dead.
From here We went to the Tragic Theatre. Its
form is semi circular. like those Of the present
day. This Theatre is situated on side.hill, on
the summit of which is a long and spacious por-
tico, intended as a shelter for the spectators in
inclement weather. 1t could be used likewise for
gymnastic exercises and as promenade. Tho
pavement of the orchestra is Of Grecian marble,
arranged with the greatest regularity.
Next we bent our steps to the Temple Of Isis.
1t is built of brick. A we'll of pure water was
in the centre OF the court, which used to wash
the victims intended for the sacrifice. Near it
was the sacrifcial altar. In room adjoining
the temple were found utensils used for the cere-
monies. The skeletons Of priests, the ashes and
Goals on the altar of sacrifice, all the ornaments
which adorned the Temple, a great quantity of
lamps in bronze, and earthen candelabras repre-
senting the plant and flower of the lotus vases in
which were put the entrails of the victims-all
these We were shown at the museum, as also an
imnense bronze vase, inlaid with silver, which is
presumed to have been used by the priests for
washing their hands before Offering sacri6ces.-
In this room was found the skeleton of priest
sitting before table on which were the remains
of a repast, consisting of egg-shells, chicken
bones and ham. A glass and wne-vase were bro
ken, and near him we're utensils for cooking. In
this Temple Mr.. II. took his lunch, consisting of
some Indian bread which be bought of the milk
men. From this we passed to kitchen, which
was in the same state as when left. Adjoining
this was room in which was found leaning
against the wall the skeleton Of priest, hatch
ct being still in his hand. He had broken through
two walls in his flight, but did not have time to
pierce the third before he was overwhelmed by
the ashes and lava from Vesuvius.
In leaving the street of the twelve Grands
Dieux, we came to the Forum Civil. Here are
porticos formed by marble columns, with vast
surrounding three sides of large square in which
centred several streets formerly shut of BY iron
bars. The remains of q long inscription inform
the traveller that this great portco was called the
"Chalciclique." Fronting it were two triumph
ant arches, and on an eminence the Temple of
Jupiter, or Public Treasury. On the right of the
entrance may be seen LIE Temple d'Hercule',
La Cryptic, LIE Temple de Mercure, LIE Pantheon,
or Temple d'Auguste on the left, LIE Temple de
Venus, ct 10 Basilique, where were held the as
semplies of the people. In the Temple Of Mer-
curry were some fine specimens of statuary an
Apollo which was very beautiful, being about
three feet in height, of white marble, and in
state of perfect preservation. do not think the
sculptors of the present day have progressed, for
to my eye these statues are equally if not more
beautiful than those now executed. In the centre
was beautiful altar of white marble, ornament
ed with an unfinished bas relief representing a
sacrifice. In the Forum was pillar Of different
colored marbles, erected to Salust, as we saw BY
the inscription. The broken columns lying around,
the profound stiffness which reisued throughout,
make one feel sad, as one reflects on the desc.
late streets and ruined fanes of q once grand and
powerful metropolis.
We continued on through the silent and dc.
serted ways, occasionally meeting party who,
like ourselves, were exploring this buried oity.-
We next entered House called "Maison dc in
Grande Fontaine on Mosaique," 50 named from
q singular fountain of marble which stands in the
centre of the portico. This is covered with shells
and ornamented with masks, being built in the
form Of niche terminating. in q frontispieOe.-
The water falls over three steps into q marble
basin, which could also be used for the purposes
of bathing. Two grotesque masks of white mar
BILE, behind which were formerly placed lamps,
the light rejecting through the eyes and mouth,
must have had a curious and startling effect.
Another House near this, called 'sMaison de la
Petite Fontaine," which was excsvated in the
presence of Francois L., contained similar but
smaller fountain.
The houses all resemble each other closely, 80
that in entering one or two you see the whole
The habitations Of the lower Glasses, the shops,
&C., are ornamented with mosaics and paintings,
which give to Pompeii not only the appearance
of a city covered with paintings, but likewise an
air of nobleuess and grandeur. The outside
walls are covered with q hard and brilliant stuc.
co, often painted in lively colors. Most of the
L..sA = Il ~ ~