The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-03
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the marble steps that go up to them worn
with the tread of the old-time frequent de-
votees; but none now ascend to worship.
Handsome houses and palatial mansions ar
rest the attention at every turn, but the mar
bic fountains in their courts have ceased 10
play, the statues that embelished them in
many instances, are broken, defaced or car
ried away, their garden enclosures are dives
ted of the plants and flowers that once made
them attractive; and their elegantly painted
rooms are all silent and forsaken.
Now and theu an inquirer like yourself
steps from some building, rnd looks the street
earnestly up and down, and then suddenly in
the direction of his feet as if to make sure
that ne has his own shadow for company
MS very presence rendering the loneliness
more impressive; and even the sparrows and
ravens as they emerge from their hiding
places, and fit from wall to wall seem to
utter their few notes in subdued manner. as
if awed at the mysterious silence that every.
where reigns!
That these thoroughlares were thronged with
busy multitudes, horses and carriages, at the
time of the city's entombment, is strikingly
manifest. Many of the stores, especially those
devoted to the sale Of wine, are arranged TO
attract customers-and the worn steps of the
latter class, show that they were as much 6-e-
quented in their day as similar resorts are In
ours whilst the deep wheel-ruts of diHe rent
widths worn in the stone payements, m"auy OF
them still stained with tSsn1ns the iron
tires. are sufficient attestati0n as 10 the num-
per and variety of the vehicles that were
driving to ana fro.
wandering along we are arrested by the
word Sal-re, at the threshold of a dwelling
house, wrought in mosaic. But to what are
we welcome-a deserted hall? And imgress-
ed with the sad farewell breathed from its
lonely walls, we scrbble the word Yale with
a piece OF plaster, just within, and depart.
In another place the guide points out the
spot, where the representation of a fierce
looking dog in mosaic work had been found,
with the words Gaze Canem! Beware of
the dog9 But you may walk in with impun-
ity, lor all That remains TO indicate that the
dog ever existed is the rust on the wall where
he was chained.
Anon we enter a building where there are
the bodies of three men, plump as in life, ly-
ing in the positions in which they were found
one with his face turned as in anguish down
wards, the others indicating the resignation
of despair; and in another quarter the guide
pilots you through deep, narrow wine cellar,
where seventeen ersons, old and young, were
discovered, just in the positions 10 which
they had been smothered by the falling ashes,
and where they had rem aimed nearly seven
teen hundred years-probably whole family,
including retainers and servants.
Many of the statues and mosaic pictures
found here, and some of the finer paintings
executed on the walls of the dwelling. houses,
have been removed to the museum at Naples
together with almost innumerable articles
indicative of the food, home-life and fashions
CT the Pompeiians, such as bread loaves, dish
es of nuts English walnuts among others),
beans, rice, barley, &C. Also culinary uten-
sis, even more various than those now in use,
and table ware of bronze, earthen, glass, and
even gold-with thousands upon thousands of
golden ornaments, such as finger rings, arm
lets, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, coronals,
earrings, &C., in many cases set with pre-
cious stones-and in elaborateness of design
and workmanship equal to those of our day
the whole representing value, one would
think, sufficient almost to pay off the public
debt of Italy; but too valuable, as vivldly il
lustrating the habits of the Romans in the
palmy days of their power, to be devoted to
any such purpose.
The excavations at Herculaneum, compar-
ed with these of Pompeii, are not extensive,
and visit to its subterranean burroughs, by
torch-hght, hardly pays one for the fatigue
and dscomforts endured.
Returning to Naples, one of the chief places
designated to the visitor is the museum; but
this is too big an affair for me to do in print, in
any space that newspaper could devote to
such subject; and / will simply state, that
besides the treasures alluded to taken from
Pompeii and Herculaneum, which occupy
many rooms, it contains specimens of statua-
ry numbered by hundreds, many of which
have worldwide renown, and acres Of fine
paintings, comprising some OF the choicest
works Of the old masters; and has library
attached of 250,O0O volumes and nearly 1000
papyri taken from Herculaneum.
The sanitary condition of the city has of
late been looked into by Victor Immanueps
government; and in consequence there is
marvellous improvement in the condition OF
the streets as regards cleanliness; and an Or
der has been promulgated forbidding begging
within its limits-so that the lazzaroni and
loafers pursue their avocation, If at all, only
in by-places; and you may wander for week
without being accosted by beggar.
The climate of Naples makes 1t a desirable
place of residence. The weather still contin-
ues warm enough to admit of windows and
doors being kept open throughout the day.
From this salubrity in connection with the
moderate cost of living here, the city is in
creaslns in its populetion, which at present
numbers over half million.
Yours, &c, S. B.B.
Gossip and GIenuiun.