Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-22
The Eruption Of Eesuv,us.

The terrible eruption OF Mount Fesugius,
which commenced on the 26:h OF May, was
still active at the latest adVices. The follow
Jog extracts from the CORES pondence Of the
London Times, show the character and pro-
gress of the eruption
NAPLES, May 3l.--Siace Saturday The
eruption has proceeded with constantly IN
creasing violence, aud mas prGsented a, nigot
a more and more magnificent spectacle. 10
u,y last letter | menli1ned that there issued
from the great basis OF fire 10 the Afro
single stream OF lava, which, after u t'r;uous
course, WAS descending the cec!!SIty o. tie
mountain. This stream has continued IT.
Course, varying in breadth accord Nc 10 the
accidents OF the grOund, ard seems now TO
direct t-elf to point between PORTER and
Tore del Greco, but much nearer the latter
than the former. Il approaches close to the
scattered firmhouses which lie above the
towns at the foot OF the mountain, many Of
which i; can scarcely !atl u destroy.
Ia the afternoon oi Saturday aud Sunday
two other streams u lava broke out Of The
great basin, and are descending the monu-
tain toward the neighb rhucd OF P0rtici-
raynes, which run nearly parallel TO the
ridge on " hich the observatory aud the Her
mitagG stand These buildings have been
hi hertO saved from Gubmersiun by the lava
by their great elevation, the tiIid naturally
following the direction Of the lower ground
ut either side Of them.
Last night, the spectacle was peculiarly
grand and IMPOSING. The lava was poured
in increased quantity along each Of the
streams already established, ana being in q
high state Of iucaude.cence, presented Pc
cu.iar!y splendid appearance.
AT about eight O'clock All immcnRo torrent
Of lava br.ke over the ridge which Coz
fines The basin Of Crater-, III The direction Of
tic SDDma; it flowed down the decliSiIy OF
the Svmma as az immense torrent Of liquid
iite, and with such extraordinary Tapidity that
ia less than an hour Il had descended through
a considerable portion Of the mOuntaiD. Its
progress was then retarded, partly by the dl-
minlsbod steepness Of the ground, and part
~ by transverse TGylnes winch must be filled
before the fluid can advance. Nothing could
exceed tho spiendVr Ol THIS torrent Ui LIQUID
fire, forming the fourth principal stream ot
lava; but the most extraordinary burst Ut
spiendUr which has been presented since
the COuimCncement OF the eruption, took
place soon alter 9 o'clock, when all the
! mounts seemed to be simultaneously called
into violent action, and to yumt forth such
torrents OF lava that the entire mountain
seemed one blaze Of fire; the varied cOlorS
produced in different parts owing probably
in part to ELECTION, presented a beautiful
aud striking appearance. The lurid light
/ 4, I'D I,Dr -
rendered visible the subiacent country, the
coast and the bay.
Ua each night several thousands Of persons
Of all r.uks, from the peer TO the peasant,
urged by curiosity, repair to the scene OF
this extraordinary spectacle. The darkness
being complete, and the route 10 many parts
! difficult, each party Is furnished with torch,
and the view Of these hundreds Of torches
| fitting abou: between the streams Of lava is
most curious, presenting tue appearance OF
multitudes Of tiretlies.
The hermitage which is close to the great
basin Of cra'ers and rivers OF lava is ap-
preached by Il tolerabIy good carriage road
and as may be supposed hundreds OF yehi-
Giles of every description, from tde csleche OF
| the millionaire TO the humble coricoO are
collected there toward midnight. Donkey
parties abound, Of which ladies do not fear
to form part.
JUNE l.--The state Of the mountain last
night was nearly the same as on the proceed.
ing night. the eruption, perhaps being
little less violent. The great streams Of lava
already described continue 10 flow slowly in
the same direction.
Part Of the extraordinary spendor Of the
spectacle Oh Sunday night was due the burn
ing Of forests, over which the lava passed.
The Neapoltans congratulate themselves on
the circumstance af the lava having been
directed into so many different streams for
it, as in former eruptions, it had all been
thrown into enc channel, the destruction
which must have ensucd would have been
tremendous.
The lava begins where !, did in 1853.