Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-03
SINGULAR POMPEILAN STATUES.


SINGULAR POMPEI[AN STATUES.
During the cruptions of Vcsuvius, which dss
stroycd the ancient city Of Pompeii, those VINO
delayed too long in making th,ir escape fell vic
tins. for the most part, to the perncious ef-
feet of sulphuric and earbonic acid gasses, and
were rapidly covered by the shower of fine dust
following the eruption, which gradually Ear-
dening, formed perfect noulds Of the unhappy
beings who so miserably perished, from which
admirable casts arc taken, showing their forms
features expressions, and attitudes when over
taken by death. At the beginning of the cx-
cavations little attention was paid to the ma.
tural moulds, only few having been partially
cast and preserved, the most remarkable of
which were those of husband, wife, and
child ; the husband at the moment Of death
pressing tightly to his breast nineteen pieces
of gold and ninety-one pieces OF silver, which
we're found fixed to his ribs tho wife had let
fall coarse linen cover, in which were found
fourteen bracelets, gold rings, earrings, and
Jewels of less Importance. 1t was only how
ever, in 1868, that NJ. Florelli had the happy
itca of filling those natural moulds with a,,pecu.
liar solution of plaster, by which process the
victims are reproduced in their integrity.
The first group reproduced was composed of
man, woman, and two young girls who had
rcmaindcd within doors until too late. When
they attempted to escape by the window or
terrace, they were suddenly asphyxiated and
covered by the dust, which faithfully preserved
thus produced was that OF man who had
fallen, face downward, whose despair and
suffering, his clenched teeth and c!enched
hands eloquenty expressed the agony he
had endured. Next in interest is the form
OF woman who had fallen on her back, whose
tight hand leans upon the earth, the left rails
Cd. as if trying to ward Oft danger.
70 aid her flight, she had raised her vest
ments FIer form is tall and elegant, her ad-
mirably archcd foot, encased in strong sandals,
being tavorite subject of study to artists. On
one Of her fingers is silver mirror and an amber
statue representing Cupid. Her hair in the
front forms three rows of ringets, and falls,
plated, over her back in the manner Of the
Fotalre perruques.
"a remarkable group Of three persons has
been admirably cast, which sin tho highest de
grce interesting.
A man of high stature and powerfully built,
with strongly marked features, prominent
cheek bones, heavy beard and mustachc, is the
principal figure he held 10 his hands the car
rings of the two young girls who followed him
and the key Of his house, and looks the beau
ideal of an old Roman lcgionary. Over his
mead lie had thrown the corner OF his mantle
Tor protection against the noxlous gases or the
falling dust and cinders, the expression ou his
lace and that of two daughters being suggcs
tive OF sutfocatioD. There is something touch:
ink in the spectacle OF two sisters who followed
their father in the precise attitude as they tell
supporting each other, breathing the same pol.
son, and diving entwincd in each Others arms.
Both of the figures are Of beautiful forms and
proportions. .-Apphtons' Journal.
TIE MIDNIGHT SUN-SCENERY OF NOR
wAY.-A letter dated at Hammertest, Norway,
July 18th, is published in th, EVANGELIST Of
this week. The writer, who is Kew. DI Dan.
rl March says:
ut is midnight by my watch, midnight hy
the watches of my travelling companions, nli-
night by the ships chronomctcr, midnight by
our reckoning of time on our voyage, and yet
the sun is shining directly in the North, full
orbcd and as full OF light as when within an
hour OF setting 10 clear sky In AmtrIca. L
look down beautiful Fiord, between two walls
of dark mountains and calm, bright sea. and
in the utmost limit OF the view is the great orb
of day pouring food of golden light upon the
water, kindling the fleeing clouds above him
with all the hues OF rainbow, ,crowning the dark
ridges of the mountains with rosy tlnts, and
covering the whole face OF land and sea with
calm, sacred. awful beauty, such as never be
held in any other region of the earth. 1t seems
as if had climbed so high u? tho ridge OF the
round world that could see over into the Sc
crct chambers where the King Of Day rc;ircs to
his golden rest feel almost afraid to look at
the awful monarch while he is putting on his
robes Of hlightncss and preparing tn 20 forth
and shine upon the subject world L! seems as
il had intrudcd with rude aud impertinent
curiosity into the secret place OF the King oil
Light, and that he might punish the Intrusion
this strange sight of the mindnight sun be seen
to greater advantage The ship entered this
beautiful Fiord Just 10 time to give us the best
possible position for bcholding the two things
which, once seen, are never to be torgotton-
the sun at midnight and the sun directly in the
North.
The town of Hammerfcst is the most ncrth
crly town in all the world. have been up a
mountain this afternoon, and looked over the
North Cape into the Arctic Sea. am now
within nineteen degrees of the North Po'c.--
Irc scenery all the way from Bodo. and
indeed all the way from Throntjem, has
heen most wonderful 10 variety and beauty
The steamer does not 90 out 10 sea at all, but
island, always bringing US within view OF bold
headlands and Jagged peaks, and quiet and
green banks and meadows, and silver cascades
leaplng down the mountain sides, and snowy
peaks and blue glaciers, all mingled, changing
and multiplied in endless variety and success
sion. It's as il Lake Winnipiscogcc, and
Lake George, and KILLARNEY, and Comn and
Geneva, and Lucerne and Maggiorc, and
twenty Others, were all connected, and twisted,
and liuked, aud braided into every 1ossible
form. and steamer should take US through
them all. The Lotodon arc especially bcaui