Litchfield enquirer., 1871-06-15

SINGULAR PoMPEIIAN STATUTES. During the eruptions of Vesuvius, which destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii, those who de-. layed too long in making their escape fell victims for the most part, to the pernicious effects of sulphurous and carbonic acid gases, and were rapidly covered with the showers of fine dust following the erup tion, which gradually hardening, formed perfect moulds of the unhappy beings who so miserably perished, from which admira- able casts are taken, showing their form, features, expression, and attitude when overtaken by death.
 At the beginning of the excavations, little attention was paid to the natural molds, only few having been partially cast and preserved, the most remarkable of which were those of husband, wife and child the husband at the time of death pressing tightly to his breast nineteen pieces of gold and ninety pieces of silver, which were found fixed to his ribs; the wife had let fall coarse linen cover, in which were found fourteen bracelets, gol rings, ear rings and jewels of less importance. It was the happy idea of filling those natural molds with 8 peculiar solution of of plaster, by which process the victims are reproduced in their integrity. Thefirst group reproduced was composed Of man, woman. and two young girls, who remained within doors until too late; when they attempted to escape by the win dows or terrace, they were suddenly as. phyxiated, and covered by the dust, which faithfully preserved the contour of their forms. In 1868, 8 body thus reproduced 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 eloquent ly expressing the agony he had endured. Next in interest is the form of woman who had fallen on her back, whose right hand leans upon the earth, her left hano raised, as if trying to ward off danger. Tt aid her flight, she had raised her Vestments Her form is tall and elegant, her admirably arched foot. incased in strong sandals, be ] ing a fsvorite subject of study to artists l On one onerof her fingers is silver ring while near her were found gold earrings silver mirror, and an amber statute rep resenting Cupid. Her hair in the iron forms three rows of ringlets, and falls plait ed over her back in the manner of the Vol taire peT7uqUes.
 A remarkable group of three persons ha been admirably cast, which is in the high est degree interesting. A man of tai stature and powerful build, with strongl marked features, prominent cheek-bones heavy beard and moustache, is the prin cipal figure. He held in his hand the ear rings of the two young girls who followed him, and the key of the house, and look the bedw ideal of an old Roman legionary Over his head he had thrown the corner o his mantle for protection against the nox ious gases or tue falling dust and cinders the expression on his face and that of hi two daughters being suggestive of suffoca tion. There is something touching in th spectacle of the two sisters who followed theif father in the precise attitude as the! fell supporting each other, breathing thu same poison. and dying entwined in eacl others' arms Both the figures are of beau tiful forms and proportions.-Appleton' JourndL - a.-.f.