The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-20

The discoveries which are made in the uu-
covering OF the ruins Of Pompeii increase in inte-
rest from year to year. The present system of
excavation is more scientific, and the objects
which revealed 70 the eyes Of the modern
world are more carefully preserved than for
merly. The excavations at Pompeii commenced
as long ago as the year l74s, when Colonel
Alcubierre, who had been sent to inspect new
canal or watercourse, observed that it was con-
strut ted through ancient ruins. He obtained
permission from Chales III to make some
excavations, and in a few days he openeda house
In Pompeii. , he ruined city was then sup
posed To be Stable, and 10 was not till nearly
eight years aft bedscovery that il was identified
a. PVmpei. The continuous labJrs of the Nea-
poltsn Government, from that time forward
have uncoY red an extensive city, With the streets
and lower stories Of houses, the temples and
baths, the furniture and decorations, and ia
many instances with the skeletons of the ancient
inbahitttt.. Readers are familiar with the
deta Is of these stTaDge and interesting discove-
ries. The more recent excavations have added
gr atty TO the interest Of Pompe and Mr.
Giuseppi Fiorelli has achieved very important
Success, surprising, in some respects, all that had
beer doue before his appointment to the supern-
tepdpnce The Reuue des Detr Mondes late y gave
a remarkable sketch of the life and career OF this
very learned and accomplished Italian. He was
mab OF trtat ability, a scholar, at twenty three
wears of age Vice-Presideut of the Italian con
VtDtioD ui sardRs at Genoa, the subject Of perse-
cuiion by the Neapoli an Government, imprisoned
reduced TO earn his living by laying pavement
in The streets of Naples. He was appointed
Inspector of the Pompeiian excaya ions after the
establr hnent of the Italian Kingdom, and he
has justified the appointment By moro care
full system, he has succeeded in uncoverng
the second story and projecting balconies OF
houses feature hitherto unknown IN Pom
peii. This latter portion is built of brick,
supported by timbers, and the evidence thus
gained shows that the ma row streets of the city
wtre shaded from the sunshine much as oriental
pi .iaGn a a "A
Roman city. Pompeii was heretofore lit more
than lane; siree with ruin d wall of houses
on each side. Nov we can the city us iC was.
The careful preservation Of fragments, noting
positions in which found, and observing minutest
particulars enables SignOr Fiore Ii to restore the
ebtire house, instead of leaving it diiapida'ed
ruin ms her etofOre. But the most remarkable
discovery of Signor FiOrelli is 10 be mentioned.
In the eruption which destroyed the city the
ashes fell in some places with considerable guam
titles OF wafer, forming, in fact, a mud or paste
which hardened over many objects. This fact
had been noticed in one or two instances, and the
great show article of the museum had been the
impression of a female breast iu the hardened
mould.
But ForeIi has gone further, and obtained
casts Of the entire body in several instances. He
has found the moulds where the mud formed
around the bodies of the dying Pompeiians, aud
ponriDg pluster into the hollow he obtains fac
sisiile statue of the man or woman, just as he OF
ga she yielded to the terrible catastrophe. the eO.
quence OF these statues surpasses all description
there we're four bodies found in one street
daughter. The mother died calmly, lying on bel
side, perhaps sufucated. The daughter yielded
rot so easily. She was not sixteen years old
Her lu bs restored on the plaster cast, are in an
attitude of pain, her small fingers clenched in the
agODy OF the death struggle. She had thrown q
veil over her face, and bowed her head in her
arms 10 shied her face from the blast of the fiery
storm. The very fashion Of her dress is perfectly
shown in the cast and there is startling pecu
iuiiTy in the exhibition Of the smooth skin auC
r, unded flesh where there are rents in her gar
ms hfrp he nj crit d
as these. They are the reproduction out Of thu
dis ant past of the very agony Of death coming
on he Roman mother and her child. There is
NO "a lure in the copy. There il is-as the storm
of hes both caused and preserved Tin soliC
mou d, the human anguish that the casting nov
reveals. Looking az il, one hears the very moaI
of the young girl as she buries her face Ia he
arms, and lie ds TO the terror OF that awful nigh
on Pompti.
thus described by writer in the Edinburgh Re
Tielo.
"At some distance from this group lay a thirt
woman. She appears TO have been about twenty
five years of age and 20 have belonged 70 q bette
class than the other two. On one OF her finger
were two silver rings, and her garments were OF
finer texture. Her linen head-dress, falling owe
. her shoulders like that OF a mltron in Roman
statue, can still be distinguished She had IA Lei
on her side. overcome by the heat and gases; Du
terrible Struggle seems 20 have preceded he
last agony. One arm Is raised in desptir
the hands are clenched cOnvulsively. Her gar
ments are gathered up on one side, leaving
exposed q liInD OF ueautUul Nhape' - perfect
mOu d of it has been iormsd by the soft an
yielding mud, that the cast would seem 10 b
taken from an exquisite work OF Greek art Sh
had fed with her little treasure, which lay scat
tered around her--two silver cups, few Jewels
and some dozen silver coins. Nor had she, liz
q good housewife, forgotten her Keys, after hay
ing probably locked up her stores before seeking
60 escape. They were found by her SIDE.
"The fourth cast is that of a man of the people
perhaps a common soldier. He is almost o
colossal size. He lies on his back, his arms eX
tended by his side and his feet stretched ont, a
it, fncing escape impossible, lac had lain himsel
down 10 meet death like brave man. His dres
consisted Of short coat or erlin and tight-fttiu
breeches OF some coarse stuff, perhaps leather
Heavy sandals, with soles studded with nails
arc laced tightly round his ankles. On one hnge
is seen his iron ring. His features are strongly
marked; the mouth open as in death. Some o
the teeth still remain, and even part OF the nous
tache adheres 10 the plaster