The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-20
The Eruption OF vcsuvfua.
lCorrespondence OF the London Tines !

Since Saturday the eruption has proceeded with con-
stany increasing violence and has presented NJ night
and magnificent spectacle. In my last letter
mentioned that there issued from the great basin Of fire In
course, was descending the decvity Of Tho mountain
This stream has continued IN coupc, varying In breadth
according TO the accidents Of the ground and
Greco but much the latter than the former Up.
prosches close the scattered farm houses which lie
the towns al the foot Of the mountain many Of which IL
In the Afternoons OF saturday and Sunday two other
streams Of Lava broke out Of the great bssn and do
scendng the mountains the neghboYhood OF Por
toi. These streams 20 follow tho direction Of
ravrcs which nearly parallel 10 the ridge which
the observatory and the bsrmsAse stand These buildings
have beep hitherto saved rom submerson by The lava by
their great elevation, the fluid naturally following tho
direction Of the lower ground a. either side Of them
last night the spectacle vas peculiarly grand and i'm
posing The lava poured In increased quantity along
each OF the streams already established and being In
high state OF incandesence, presented peculiarly spen.
About eight O'Clock immense torrent OF lava broke
the ridge which confines The basin OF crters In The
direction OF the somma. Il flowed down the dccIviiy Of
the eomma immense torrent OF LIQUID Gre and with
such extraordinary rapidly that In less than hour
had descended through considerable portion Of the
mountain Its progress was then retarded, partly by the
diminished seepnees q Vie ground and partly BY trans
ravnes, which must be nlied before the fluid
rent Of liquid IRE forming the fourth principal stream Of
lava but the most extraordinary burst OF splendor which
has been presented since tho Of the erup
ton took place afer nine O'Clock when all the mouths
kseemcd to be simultaneously called into violent
cton and N vomi forth ouch torrents Of lava that
entire mountain seemed one blaze Of dre the varied
coors produced in different parts owing probably IN part
70 reflection, presented beautiful striking appear
ance Tho lurid light dinased from this enormous burn
ing mass rendered visible the suhjseent country, the
on each night several Of persons Of all ranks
, r. S the per To- the Is.s.. urged ~ curiosity repair
being complete, and the route many parts dcu,
escu party Is furpsshcd with torch, and the view OF
these hundreds OF torches fitting about between the
OF lava most curious presenting the appear
spce Of multiiudcs Of nrefies.
The Hermitage, which close 70 the great basin OF era
tiers and rivers OF lava, approached by tolerably good
carriage road, and, - may be supposed hundreds Of
hcles OF every description, from the csleche OF the mil
boDare 10 the humble corcoo collected there towards
Midnight Donkey parties abound, Of which ladies' do not
fear 10 form part.
Jrss 1, 1858.
The state OF the mountain last night was nearly the
sane the preceding night, the eruption perhaps,
being little less violent rhe great Streams Of lava
artady described continue TO ow slowly in the same d.
Ps Of the extraordinary spleudor Of the spectacle on
Sunday night was due 70 the burning Of forests which
the lava passed The Neapotans themselves
the circumstance OF the having been directed into
many different streams for H. a. in former erupons,
had all been thrown into channel the destruction
which must have ensued would have been tremendous.
ybe eruption is splendid There are three streams Of
lava, which begin Just between vesuvius and Somms;
We went as near a. poesible climbed 10 the top Of
ridge Of lava which had begun 70 COOL bui required all
,os Nv n our prevent our burning our
scrvatory, whence the view OF the lava was splcndld
the middle was flowing as fast a. water; there was
rayed reflection In the smoke which - said was just
like the aurora boreas In Scotland The erups began
last Wednesday night; the lava begins where did In
1860 There were thousands Of people on the mouuaia
streams Of laws that on the Cssjeasre side OF the Her
m,tsgeS there was ceremonial suppose 70 stop the
lava There was saint and some priests IN attendance.
spain.
The Times correspondent says the Queen Is 70 preside