The Nevada Democrat., 1862-02-20
Eruuelon Of Mount vesuvius.

In our last, We gave short ACCOUNT VI
the eruption Of Mount Vesuvius, which
commenced on The 9th Of December. 10
late English papers, received by steamer,
we Bnd some interesting descriptions Ofthe
scene. A Naples correspondent, writing
December 10th, thus describes q night view
Of the eruption:
Last night the view which present. IL
self from nv windows was very grand; o
black column rose majesiically. and was
carried off by he wind far over the sea,
while forked lightning, as IL were, aud bril-.
liant lights such as Roman candles, played
about the crater. This morning the vol
umes OF smoke are rising and rolling one
over another 10 grand involutions, while
the eastern sun behind them gives hues
which II IL difficult 10 describe. Beyond the
pail which hangs over the sea il is impossl'
BILE 10 zee anything except when an open
ing Is made by gust OF wind. aod then one
sees a picture of Sorrento or Capri hung In
the centre of deep black cloud.
The Naples correspondent Of the London
Times, writing December 2lsi, gives an in-
teresting narrative Of the state of Vesuvius
on the 18th, when The mountain presented
splendid spectacle:
At every shot that was fred by the noun
tain there rose cloud Of ashes Ia the form
of pne.tree, which Gled off to the south as
another shot was led aud another cloud
arose. As the heavy-laden clouds escaped
beyond the power which had expelled them
and as the aqueous vapour was condensed,
we could see at intervals showers, nay,
storms Of ashes falling like avalanches on
land and sea, and still the black gorgeous
masses rolled on towards Capri, obscurlDg
the coast which lies opposite TO Naples.
Thunder aud lightning, or the roaring Of
Vesuvus, aud electric lights. were frequent
incidents 10 this awful scene; the latter,
shot up from the mouth OF the crater to the
summit Of the dark cones, played about its
invOlutions, and revelled. as II were, IN the
license of freedom 1.-The daylight could not
obscure It's brillancy. Towards sunset we
marked that effect of color which is only 10
be seen in southern Iatitndes, for then the
mass Of dark cloud which hang over Vesu-
vius and the entire bay was lit up with the
most delicate roseate tints. Then came on
grey eve and darker night, rendered still
more so by the electric dashes which con
tinued to dance above Vesuvius. On the
next morning vent down to Tore again.
AIas II is a city on crutcbes; many crpples
have fallen, and many are falling. PrOfes
s0r Palmieri. The great Vesuvian authority,
confirms the report of the elevation of the
soil; and hopes that the proprietors will
not rebuild until the depression which may
be expected has taken place. Yet, with a
faulty which appears like madness, the
people are with difficulty held back from
returning 10 their perlous dwellings. II is
the fact that General Della MarmOra has
been compelled TO station rOldiers there TO
prevent such folly. From all can gather.
the mountain was split from top 10 bot
tom. the fssure reaching far into the sea.
In few words will show this. There are
eleven craters above Tore del Greco, all
emitting sulphnrous vapors, and the largest
is from 70ft. 10 soft. deep, and lO0ft. deep.
From this point. on the 9th inst. after hea-
Wy rumblings and beaving of the surface,
the ground was split open, and fiery is-
sure was made almost to the outskirts of
the city, through which the same unseen
power passed, opening tue streets and lay
ing bare some parts Of the former buried
town, and then running into the sea. All
this isevldent TO the eye. You see the tis-
sure 10 all directions, and walk daiutlIy al
times lest YOU fall in, or lest some rickety
building may come down. Yesterday, the
goth, the Exmouth, which went out to try
her Armstrong;, returned by Tore del
GREGG: and made The circuit of a whirlpool,
now formed, which.must be about 360ft. in
diameter. 1t was boiling violently, aud
emitted strong sulphurous odor. A boat
soft. in length was let down and seut into
the centre of The whirlpool, when Il was
turned rapidly round by the volcanic force
beneath. The sounding gave % fathoms OF
water, and the plummet brought up sand
and sulphur. From part of the crcam'
ference tail. 50 TO call 1t. about 60ft. 10
width runs away in the direction of Sorreu-
to, aud is of beautiful light green color.
All the water here was tepid, bad strong
sulphurous smell, aud many fish have been
destroyed.