Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-05-08

streets, which is supposed to have been con-
nected with the Appian way, the direct
route from Rome, is bordered with tombs,
many of them built by people who were
destined never to occupy them. They
are handsomely built Of white marble, and
are well preserved. On this street is a
tavern, built without the walls, for the ac-
coinmodation of travellers who reached the
city after the gates were shut. Here too
is the famous ''vila of Diomeies" one of
the largest of all, and evidently the prop
erty of a rich man. 1t com nande view
of the sea, upon which the garden opened
The unfortunate owner in trying to es-
Icape, was only able TO reach ths gate,
where his skeleton was found, still grasp
ing bag of gold: by his side was the
slave, with the keys of the gate, which he
was never more to open. In the cellar of
the villa, were found the skeletons Of the
v lie and daughter of Diomedes, upon whom
were rich ornaments of gold and jewels
They had probably in their freight, taken
refuge here, but finding the place would
not afford the shelter they sought, had re-
traced their steps; and were found crowded
together near the door, suffocated probably
by the storm of ashes and cinders which
was rapidly burying the unfortunate town.
There has yet been nothing discovered
which throws any light upon the literary
tastes of the inhabitants of Pompeii; but
from the ststuary, paintings and furniture
which have been found, they appear to
have been refined and luxurious people.
In the great Museum at Naples, are suits
of rooms expressly devoted to articles
found at Pompeii. Many of the bronzes
are of exquisite workmanship, unequalled
in these days. The lamps are especially
graceful, and entirely different from those
of any other place. 1t is said that several
articles which have been thought new in
ventions in later days, have been discover
ed among the ruins of Pompeii. The
small bronze seals attract general atten
ton from The skill displayed in their man
ufacture. The chains are as beautifully
worked and even more flexible than the
gold ones of the present day; and the
weight, instead of being the heavy utilita-
rian thing it now is, frequently represents
tbs head or bust Of some deity. That
housekeepers had ''conyeniences" at Pom
peii, we know from the smooth slabs used
for making pastry, and the moulds for jef-
lies frott which our Own are copied. 1t
would seem, too, that there was some idea
of economy in the kitchen, for we see spe-
cimens of small portable stores, which will
do almost as aaany things with as little
fuel, as the most popular patent of mod
ern days. FreScocs and mosaics are tax
Ell from houses and places here, as we'll as
quantities Of jewery and finely cut pre-
ciUus stones. Artists color+, as fresh and
beautiful as if they had been but yester-
day used, are seen in the glass cases, and
loaves of bread upon which the stamp of
the baker is yet visible. These things
bring the manners and habits of the Pom
peiians distinctly to minds and it only
seems wonderful that a people so refined
and intelligent should be SO entirely for
gotten.
The Same eruption of Vesuvins which
overwhelmed Pompeii destroyed Hercula
neum. 1t is only four miles from Naples,
and over it are built the towns of Resiua
and Portice. You stop at a gaily paint
ed yellow gate, upon which is written
"ErcoIano" This is the entrance to the
principal excavation; moro has been ex-
plored, but it is somewhat similar to Pom
peii aninot near as interesting. This the
ire was discovered By digging a hole, in
the same way that the existence of Pom
pcii was made known to the world. Some
have estimated that it was capable of con
tanning more people than the famous San
Carlo at Naples. The theatres of modern
times seem to be built on the same plan.
The orchestra occupied the same position,
and the spectators sat in seats of different
grades, as they do now; but it is hard to
realize that this dismal place, so far under
ground, was ever filled with living, breath
ing audiences, who laughed and cried, as
the comic or tragic muse conmonded.--
Upon the stage were found statues Of mar
bic, which were removed to Naples. The
impression of mask, which was formed
while the lava was warm, is shown on
the wall of what was supposed to have
been dressing room. AS Herculaneum
was destroyed by a stream Of lava, which
rs it cooled, became hard like rock, it is
much more hopelessly ruined than Pom
peii, and much more difficult of access.
"Nor QUnE SO BAD"-The Beletonte
Democrat tells good story of Sam Bike,
who has been down the Susquehanna this