Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-05-08
ANCIENT IMPROVEMENTS IN HOUSE KEEP
T1G-HOW PEOPLE LIVED 1900 YEARS

TdG-H0W PEOPLE LIVED 1900 YEARS
AGO,
The explorations OF the lava-burned ci-
ties of Herculaneum and Pompeii, have
efectually demonstrated that our people,
with all the modern improvements in
house keeping, can show no superiority TO
those in use in imperial Rome, and the
GREAT cities of the provinces. A Buffa
Iouian now in Italy, has recently visited
the disenterred cities of Herculaneum and
Pompei, and, through the Exi ress Of that
city, he gives very readable comparison
ala frstclass mansion of ancient Rome,
and one of our day. The Printing Press,
the Telegraph, and the Railway are the
three levers that have moved the world
Of modern progress far beyond that of the
anclents. Throwing this out, we are but
little ahead of the ancients in what are cal
led "the Improvements
NAPLES, Feb. l, l858.-Pompea and
Herculaneum About IA miles from the
noise and hustle Of the gay city of Naples,
lies he ng-forgotten city OF Pompeii. -
Earth had accumulated over its ruins, an
villages had been built upon them; but
the inhabitants were finally frightened
away by the many eruptions of Vesuvius,
snd left the spot fever. Thus the mem
DRY ofPompeii seemed for time to have
passed from the minds OF the people. In
the year 1853, countryman in digging a
well, came upon a chamber filed with
statuary AMI paintings. Curiosity was cx-
cited by lis report, land further excavations
were made; and although so long a time
has elapsed since the discovery, so slowly
does the work proceed, that it is now
thought that not more than one-fourth of
tAa city has been explored.
Pompeii was situated on slope Of land
extending from Vesuvius to the sea, and
though its inhabitants received repeated
warnings Of the insecurity Of their position,
vet the slight shocks Of earthquakes only
sered to brighten them for tllne,as they
Invariably returned to their homes, and
we're actually engaged in restoring their
city, when i'll the mouth of Aug, IN the
year II, the eruption of Vesuyius occure !,
which totally destroyed Pompeii. The
skeletons that have been found are com
paratiyely SO few in number, that it is
thought most of the .hIbitants succeeded
III escaping. The only one who does not
apper to have attempted flight, was 10
man sentinel, whom not even the certain
prospect of ii terrible death could hinder
from performing his duty; and so his arm
ed skeleton was found, beside the gate he
had so resoluLely guarded. Everything
about Pompeii shows how sudden was the
storm which burst upon them. The in
habitants seem to have hurried away from
the occupations of every day life. Loav-
ing all behind them, they thought only OF
saving themselves. In the kitchens OF
the houses, were found meats and vegeta
bles prepared for cooking,and fruits arang
ed for deserts. In the wine shops, until
quits lately, the stains of the glasses were
YsabIe on the marble counters. At the
bakers, bread was found ready for his Gus
toners, besides quantity OF dough still in
the kneading trough. The walls of the
houses only are stahding-the roofs either
fell in from the weight upon them, or
were burned by the hot cinders from Vesu-
vius. All the houses seem to have bean
built upon one plan, though they vary in
size and richness of ornaments. Each one
encloses a court, which was surrounded by
marble pillars. In the centre OF 1t was a
a fountain, and around this, flowers were
planted.
Curiously carved marble tables and
seats are found here, from which 1T is con
lsctured, that In summer evenings, the
family assemble here, when the air was
cool and refreshing. Around the court
were the family apartments, the walls OF
which we're beautifully painted. The
bright colors have been much faded since
they were exposed to the air, but enough
remains to show how brilliant they must
have been. The gayest colors were used
such as gold, and red upon a ground Of
black, and nothing can exceed the beauty
and gracefulness of the designs, still trace
able upon the discolored walls. The hou-
ses were only two stories in height, and IN
many instances the ground floor was used
as st the present time, for shops. Often
times upon the threshold was inscribed IN
mosaic, some word of welcome to the Wis.
itor In one house was found mosaic
representing fierce dog,chained to post
With the motto, Beware of the dog" Ir
many apartments have been 70 md certain
toilet apparatus, as golden pins for the hair
polished silver and steel mirrors, pots o
rouge, bracelets and rings, which prove
them to have belonged to the women o
the family. Each house possesseda bath
ing room, with arrangements for different
kinds Of baths, proving that after ali, oul
modern improvements" are not modern
inventions. The streets are paved with
large blocks of lava, in which are deep ruts
Worn BY the wheels of ponderous vehicles
on the Corners of the streets are large