Minnesota weekly times., 1857-04-11

They were still bright and in good preservation.
The Baths are great curiosity, and were cie-
gantly fitted up, and we'll preserved.
lfcar you will tire Of my uninteresting descrip-
tion, but cannot leave this spot without speak
ing of the house of Diomedc, and the street Of
Tombs in which it is situated. just without tho
Porte d'IIerculanum. This house is considered
tho most interesting relic in Pompeii. We frst
passed through the gate and down the silent
street, visiting many of the sombs. which are very
beautiful and carved in bas-reliefs, one Of which
arrested my attention. 1t was graceful ship, ap-
parently just entered the port, her sails furled
and her anchors out, showing that the voyage OF
commerce was finished, as was the voyage of life
to the one whose remains it covered. We next
entered the house Of Diomede, ascending by eight
steps to the body of the building, which was ap-
propriated to the slaves. There are two entrances
master. In front is a room between the court
and the gallery, which is lighted two sides, and
must have afforded delightful promenade when
the season would not permit them to enjoy the
outer porticoes and terraces. At each extremity
of this gallery are two rooms, situated most eli-
gibly, overlooking the terraces and the gardens,
from which could be seen the Gulf of Naples, as
far as the Island of Cspri, which is distant "a
miles. We next entered bed room, containing
an alcove to be shut of by curtains. evidenced BY
the riggs which were found still in the ceiling I;
also several vases for perfumery, ect. This was
presumed to be the room of Julia, wife Of Dio-
mede, from the beautiful frescoes on the WALL
If l recollect Alright, Bulwer represents julia as
Diomede's daughter, but the guide spoke Of her
as his wife; all fiction however and conjecture.
The form of this room is singular, the windows
being in . semicircular wall, through which the
morning, noon and evening sun could penetrate.
1t opens on a pasture, formerly filled with Aow-
ers and shrubs. The bath room, which is attach
ed to every house Of any note, givies one very
good idea of the private baths of the Pompoiins,
but cannot give you anything like an accurate
description. 1t was in the garden Of this house
that Chevalier Tenore discovered pretty little
yellow flower with velvet leaves, to which he gave
the name of 'Gnaphalium Pompejanum,' because
it is only found among the ruins of this City. Noar
the gate of tho house which opened towards the
country, was discovered the skeleton of the mas.
ter of the house, and his slave; in his hand was
a key, and o gold ring on his finger, representing
u serpent with two heads. His servant carried a
cloth of linen, iE which was 10 pieces of gold and
SO of silver, in the vaults supposed to have been
used for storing wine, as there are still seen jars
leaning against the wall filed with ashes. 1t was,
- oe 81: IL II a.
persons at the foot of the steps, the print of
the throat, shoulders, and arms Of person are
distinctly seen against the wall, with two others,
which are not so plain. The hair was remaining
on most of the heads, and all the teeth were per-
feet. Near this were found collars of gold, Brace
lets, rings, money, ect.; also wooden comb
with teeth on each side. These things, with
many others, were shown US in the museum at
Naples, where all the relics brought from Pom
pei are collected. Nine other skeletons were
found on these premises, supposed to have be.
longed to the family. The last mansion before
leaving La Porte d'lIerculanum, is that of Albi-
nus, known from an inscription still legible. This
is presumed to have been an Inn or station for
Post Houses, as quantities of the bones of hors
tires of wheels, ect., werc found.
And now we bade adieu to Pompeii, after
spending most delightful and exciting day. The
half of the suriosities and beauties seen there
cannot describe to you. The desire of years has
been gratfed; have climbed vesuvius, and
wandered among the ruins of Pompeii, still am
not whole content, but would delight to again
visit them all. 1t is trite and true proverb, ''the
eye never wearies with seeing nor the ear with
hearing" l feel, however, that there a,e some
things which are snnuyante, and Que is a long,
dull letter. But you must excuse me; when
am going over my travels again am carried
away, and forget that others may not feel as in.
terested as myself.
Au reuoir, NJ. H.
i.A> L., L ,rk,o