The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-09-29
REALITY HISTORY.
Further Remarkable Discoveries at Pompei
From Appleton's journal.

From Appleton's journal.
During the eruptions of Vesuvius, which
destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii, those
who delayed too long in making their es-
cape fell victims, for the most part, to the
pernicious effects of sulphuric and carbonic
acid gases. aud were rapidly covered by the
showers of fine dust following the eruption,
which gradually hardening, formed perfect
moulds of the unhappy beings who misera-
bly, persisted. fiom which admirable casts
are taken showing their forms, features,
expression and attitude, when oYertaken by
death. At the beginning of the excava-
lions little attention was paid to these nat
ural moulds, only few having been par
TALLY cast and preserved. the most remask-
able of which were those of "A husband, wife
and child; the husband at the moment of
death pressing tightly TO his breast nine
teen pieces OF gold and ninety-one pieces of
silver. which were found fixed to his ribs !;
the wife had let fall course linen cover, In
which were found fourteen bracelets, god
rings, earrings, and jewels OF less import
anee.
1t was only, however, in 1863. that NJ
Florelli had the happy idea of filling those
moulds with particular solution of plas-
ter, by which process the victims are repro
duced in their integrity.
The first group reproduced was composed
OF man, woman, and two young girls,
who had rem2ined 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
faithfully preserved tie contour Of their
forms.
In 1868 body reproduced was that Of a
man who had fallen face downward, whose
countenance was the very immage of des-
pair and suffering-his clenched teeth and
crisped hands eloquently expressing the
agony he had endured.
Next in the interest is the form OF a wo-
man who had fallen on her back, whose
right hand leans upon the earth, her left
raised, as ii trying TO ward off danger. To
aid her flight, she had raised her vestments.
Her form is tall and elegant, her admirably
arched foot epcamped in strong sandals.
being favorite subject of study TO artists.
On one of her fingers is silver ring, while
near her were found gold earrings, a silver
mirror, and an amber statue, repre<enIsng
Cupid. Her hair in the front forms three
rows of Tlnglets, and falls, plated over her
back, in the manner of the Voltaire PERU
CUES.
remarkable group of three persons has
been admirably cast which is in the highest
degree interesting; A man of tall statue
! and powerful build, with stronZly-marked
features, prominent cheek -bones, heavy
beard and mustache, is the principle fig
ure; he held in his hands the earrings Of
the two young girls who followed him, and
the key of his house, and looks the Eeda sdGdl
OF an old Roman legionary. Over his head
he had thrown the corner of his mantle for
protection against the noXious gascs or the
falling dust and ctnders. the expression on
his face and that of his two daughters being
suggestive of suffocation.
There is something touching in the spec
tacle of the two sisters who followed their
father, in the precise attitude as they fell,
supporting each other. breathing the same
poison, and dying entwined in each others
arms. Both of the figures are Of besutifui
forms and propoFtions.
There is something inexpressibly sad in
the aspect of this group, moulded nature in
the agony between life and death, as they
vainly attempted TO escape from the DOOM
ed city.
With the means now at the disposal of NJ.
Florelli, he will be asle to form a museum
representing the race, beauty, costume and
unhappy fate of the inhabitants Of Pompeii
which will henceforth be Of inesLimable
value to students of art and history.