The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-06-29
Eruption OF yEsUyIUs VOLCANO.

ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS VOLCANo.
A correspondent of the London Times, under
date of Naples, May y, details another extensive
eruption of Vesuvius, which had just commenced,
and it was feared would be more than usually de-
structive:
The Rosna guide informed that lava was
flowing through the valley of "Atrio del Cavello,
and that the ordinary path to ascend the cone to
the crater was cut off, and he brought us forward
over a path seldom travelled, and of most difficult
nature; we however, proceeded, the cloud OF smoke
increasing as we went all sides; we had to part
with our horses and proceed foot and had not
gone over 800 or 400 yards from where we left the
horses, when we came up to an enormous mass OF
hot lava rolling EDWARDS towards the Somma, and
we now become were In the immediate
ciehborhood of considerable eruption; ankle
ty now became great indeed, and pressed forward
and presently arrived at wonderful scene. he
entire of the lower part Of the great of Vesu-
vus appeared on fire, and thick masses of smoke
were thrown up, mixed with red hot stones and
fakes of lava; travelling most rugged way ct
old lava we made our way up to the point whence
the stones, lava and smoke seemed to rise in
greatest quantities, and we arrived on rise just
over the greatest fssure
It is difficult to explain feeling on beholding
this wonderful and unexpected sight; we here
found several guides, and from them learned
that about o'clock A. NJ, that morning, number
of small craters and assures had suddenly opened
and lava had commenced pouring out.
1t was now nearly o'clock, and we went quite
close up to the largest crater which we were ena-
bcd to do, as the wind blew steady and strong
down the valley, and thus we got within eight or
ten alds of the next open; from this We counted
FIVE or six distinct fountains of fire. the largest put
ting forth volumes of smoke stones and lava from
another literal fountain Of burning matter
elected and from all lava and smoke poured forth
! =. rh,lo If
lava uniting into regular stream Of red burning
liquid pouring down the inclined side of the alley.
We remained here observing this wonderful
sight for over hour, then determined to ascend
to the top of the great cone. After most severe
walk by path seldom travelled, the last streaks Of
daylight gilded the distant horizon.
1t was now sufficiently dark to sec accurately
the trace of fire from all the assures we had lett
below, and standing upon projecting piece Of lava
the entire lay at our feet; the eruption evidently
the increase, and acres upon acres seemed
putting forth in fire. The stream OF lurn;rg lava
now in the twilight Jecame awful y 81 lie, md
rolled along at rapid pace to he DO ton OF the
valley, up 70 the very sides Of the Monte Sonma.
We were perfectly amazed at sight 10 pencil
could portray or pen describe.
Our guide now urged Us to descend; the lava
was running exactly towards the path close to
Monte Somma on which we had travelled, and it
down the valley towards the sea, would, in the
event Of a change of wind, leave only path of
return in most impossible condition.
We therefore FASTENED to descend the cone as
we'll as we could, the Indignation lending us a
partial glary light The descent difficult and
dangerous sand up to our ankles, ntermixed with
large Jumps of old lava. Every moment
in fear of tumbling headforemost down the precip-
tate descent We however. got safe to the bottom
Of the cone, and had now to PISS the narrow space
between the burning lava and Monte Somnla,
which here represents face OF perpend cuar rock,
perfectly inaccessible, and we became quite aware
the torrent Of lava mi ht intercept passage
totally; We could not possibly get up the side Of
Monte Somma
| must confess felt here considerably nervous,
and saw the double danger Of the lava stopping
our path and that Of change of wind, which
would certainly have smothered us in an iIs5Jftt;~
and as pressed on the rugged road,
saw the eruption increasing momently. In
place the lava rolling down the valley in an
enormous burning wave, perfectly red-hot and only
few yards from us, and at point of exit we
could see little or no room to pass; and, although
the sight was one Of wonder [ never expected to
witness, yet we obliged to press along snarly
for our departure through the fiery gate, and when
we did arrive at the point Of exit, not ten feet
manned between the side of the rock and the burn
ing of lava. Our guide, however, pressed on
brskiy, and We passed the ordeal, not without
feeling, must say, exceedingly uncc mfortable
from the great heat and the near approach of this
fearful burning mass and having pas cd, we rested
to see the wonderful sight, rapidly increasing
The guides do not seem to know exactly what
to make Of this eruption. They all seem to agree
it will increase greatly, perhaps extend all the
lower valley and at the rate it was going it would
not be long covering vast district There has
been no flow Of lava since 1865, and the upper
mountain has been very quiet for some time, and
this new flow may or may not be extensive; the
torrent of lava at place could not be less than
five or six feet high, and rolling along at the
rate of five six feet in minute, and the united
stream of red matter could not be under eight or
ten yards wide, and this ran on like very rapid
river until it was mpeded by the old lava lying on
the side Of the valley.
BISHOP ATKINSON'S APPOINTMENT
July 18th, Charlotte
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