Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-12-17
MOUNT vEsUvIUss---ACCOU OF
THE ERUPTION.


A correspondent of the London Times,
writing from Naples, under date of Novem-
ber 30th, 1867, gives the following account
OF the eruption of Mount Yesuvius:
GAS yet I have done scarcely more than
note the fact Of the eruption at VesuVius,
but so much has it increased since Wednes-
day last, and so marvelously beautiful is the
spectacle, that it merits a more detailed
report. Unlike those terrific displays which
we have had at times, and which cease with
one great effort, this Is lava eruption, in
creasing even in force and beauty, and pro
missing a duration Of some weeks, If not
months. If so-and it is the opinion OF
those most experienced in these matters
all the world may see it as soon as the
groundless fears as to the State of Naples
have vanished. For the first one or two
nights the mountain was modest enough In
Its demonstrations; tongues of fire shot up
to announce its internal agitation, and thin
stream of lava trickled down behind in the
direction of ottajano, which lies on the
southeast side of Vesuvius,
'5ome friends who went up there early
gave vague idea Of the scene, and spoke
of eight or ten new cratcrs, being no more
than so many fissures opened by the explo-
sive force of the mountain, andwhich change
in number and character from day to day.
For the last two or three nights, however,
the scene has been as grand as can well be
conceived; but, before giving details, let me
describe the actual state and appearance o.
the mountain. Since December, 1861, it has
been almost quiescent, with the exception
one or two sulky and uncertain puffs, anC
our clear blue atmosphere has ceased to b'
marked with the spiral columns of smoke
On the very summit has gaped the hug
crater, measuring nearly 700 feet in circum
ference, around which even children nigh
have played, being careful to avoid certai
sulphurous exhalations which were emitte
at intervals
''During the last two years cone ha
been formed by the matter gradually ejeote
from this sulphurous hole. We could scarce
- ly see its head above the walls of the larg
crater, but within the last week, like son
presumptuous STRIPPING, it has shot up aboY
its venerable parent, and this it IS whiC
- has been tuning and spluttering and storr
ing with all the arrogant impatience of you
since last Wednesday. It has sent forth {
immense quantity of lava, converting Il
10. surrounding crater INTO lake OF fire.
eSs re- first the high circling walls kept it with
bounds; but gradually it has risen and rise
until it is now flowing down in several
al rections where the abrupt and irregular W
i admits OF passage.
"The result has shown that it is lower
the direction of otaiano, on the southea
viii and those who do not care to make
sa osnt ascent may have a glorious view of it ir
J.. Sorrento. Still, there is nothing like mou
ing to the top, so let us be off; yet, bet
sill, suppose it to have been done, and
last night Giovanni Cuzzolino was
nnn guide, who, by virtue of having accompan
y. Humboldt and many OF the scientific
ally literary men of the age, expects his Q
ts,r. oon. name 10 be enrolled in literary annals.
NJ is, however, very safe and intellig
10 guide.
We "There was no incident TO mark until
got to the foot of the main cone, when
", heard the thunder of the mountain and
w the shocks as of an earthquake at e'
effort made to disgorge the liquid fiji
Ascending by the usual road, we were {
pelled, on approaching the summit, to
rally little round to the southeast, for two
"'''' sons-frst, to get on the blind side ol
= wind, which might have brought down
us an inconvenient shower of stones;
> secondly, to obtain better view of
main stream, which was fed, not onl
the great crater, but by another o
opened outside, about twenty feet In di
ms 20 ter. From this spot the stream of
win fire, full 20 to 80 feet in width, poured I
i'd for to the bottom of the mountain rapidly '
50 it met with no obstacles, struggling enc
cally until it carried evrything before
ITO the edge of the crater it was il
.,, sible to approach, the hest was score
; M and what would have been the consequ
r, had the lava boiled over and come
upon usP 1t was difficult, therefore, tc
oEL' any fair estimate of its size. but one
s-sm Sps } have supposed that 1t was not more Il