Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-10-06
Further Remarkable Discoveries
:et P0nADcii.

During the eruptions of Vesuvius, which
destroyed the ancient city of Pompoii,
those who delayed too long in making
their escape fell victims, for the most part.
to the pernicious effects pf sulphuric and
carbonic acid gases, and were rapidly cover
ed by the showers of fine dust following
the eruption, which. gradually hardening.
formed perfect molds of the unhappy be-
ings who miserably perished, from which
admirable casts are taken showing their
forms, features, expressions and attitude,
when overtaken by death. At the begin
ming of the excavations little attention was
paid to these natural moulds, only few
having been partially cast and preserved,
the most remarkable of which were those
of a husband, wife and child; the hus-
band at the moment of death pressing
tightly to his breast nineteen pieces Of
gold and ninety-one pieces Of silver. which
were found fixed to his ribs the wife had
let fall coarse linen cover, in which were
found fourteen bracelets. gold rings, ear
rings, and jewels of less importance. 1t
was only, however, in 1868, that NJ. Flore-
Ii had the happy idea of filling those
natural moulds with peculiar solution of
plaster, by which process the victims are
reproduced in the integrity. The first
group reproduced was composed of a man.
woman and two young girls. who had
remained within doors until too late !;
when they attempted to escape by the
windows or terrace. they were suddenly
asphyxiated, and covered by the dust,
which faithful preserved the contour of
their forms. InlS63 a body thus reprodu-
ced was that of man who had fallen face
downward. whose countenance was the
very image of despair and suffering-his
clenched teeth and clasped hands eloquen-
tly expressing the agony he had endured.
Next in the interest is the form of wo-
man who had fallen on her back, whose
right hand leans upon the earth, her left
raised as if trying to ward off danger. To
aid her flight, she had raised her vestments.
Her form is tall and elegant, her admira-
bly, arched foot, encased in strong sandals,
being a favorite subject of study by artists.
On one of her fingers is silver ring, while
near her were found gold earrings. sill
YER mirror. and an amber statue represen-
ting Cupid. Her hair in the front forms
three rows of ringlets, and falls, plated
over her back, in the manner of the Vol
taire pesTuqacs. A remarkable group OF
three persons has been admirably cast,
which is in the highest degree interesting.
4 man of tall stature and powerful build,
with strongly marked features, prominent
cheek bones. heavy beard and mustache,
is the principal figure he held in his
hands the earrings of the two young girls
who followed him, and the key OF his house,
and looks the beaxidcal of an old Roman
lecionary. Over his head he had thrown
the corner of his mantle for protection
against the noxious gases or the fallen dust
and cinders, the expression of his face and
that of his two daughters being sugges-
tive Of suffocation. Their is something
touching in the spectacle of the two sisters
who followed their father in the precise
attitude as they fell, supporting each 9th
er, breathing the same poison, and dying
entwined in each others arms. Both of
the figures are of beautiful forms and
proportions. There is something mex
pressibly sad in the agony between life
and death, as they vainly attempted to es-
cape from the doomed city. With. the
means now at the disposal of NJ. Florelli,
he will be able to form museum repres-
enting the race. beauty, costume and un-
happy fateAof the inhabitants of Pompeii,
which will henceforth be of inestimable
value to students of art and history
Appleton's journal.