Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-06-01
8:serIIaneuns.
The Late Eruption of yesuvius.

The Late Eruption of Vesuvius.
The Naples correspondent of the London
Daily Telegraph writing under date of
April 30, gives the following graphic ac-
count of the eruption of Vesuyius
On the third night the spectacle had
further diminished in brilliancy, but those
who were not absorbed in spectacular en-
joyment could discern indications of in
creased volcanic energy. The immense
tongues of flame, though they had lost
some of their dazzling brightness, shot
higher up than before. The lava and
scoriie were also carried to q greater
height.
The former was ejcctel in larger volume,
which ultimately showed its increase in
the accelerated flow of the lava streams.
The subtercan thunder, which early in the
week had made itself heard but dmly, like
the sound of heavy artillery at many miles,
distance, now grew more audible, and ap-
peared to be approaching nearer the city.
All through this ill-fated night the premoni-
tions of catastrophe followed hard upon
each other. Yet of what did happen no
one could have the slightest warning. 1t
was an incident unprecedented in the
treacherous, capricious history of Nesu-
yius.
The sympathetic sky was full Of omens.
Its crystal clearncss had departed, and in
place of it feecy clouds were driving across
the heavens. From n thousaud-tiuted eff
fulgence they declined into dullness, then
into a heavy threatening darkness. Moon
and stars paled their light ere they were
yelled by the haze which oyerspread the
sky. But the surface ofthe bay continued
smooth and CLASSY, uurufiied by even q
summer breeze. As the shadows of smoke
and flame cast upon it from the mountain
became more somhrc il partook of their re-
Elected gloom otherwise it was apparent
ly unconscious Of the Titantic struggle
which was rending the bowels of the earth
beneath and around it.
DESTRUCTION OF LIFE.
As day was dawning fearful horror oc'
curIod on the side of the mountain neXt
! the city. OF late years access to Nesuylus
has been greatly facilitated by the short
railway which skirts the bay and connect:
! Naples with Castelamare, town on tht
opposite corner. This faces the mountain
| throughout its whole distance, and in it!
vicinity will be found mos; OF the villages
whose names always obtrude themselves
during the progress of an eruption. On'
of these, Resina, is tavorlte point 10
making the ascent from. 1t is not far fron
Prof. Palmierie,s observatory, and il en-
Joys the more exciting distinction OF lyin:
in the line of a great current OF lava
Thousand of visitors have assembled tn
hill nightly from Resina, driving up as ia
as to the observatory, and then walking t
the bed of last years lava. On Frida.
morning many such excursion partie
were assembled directly under the cone
They had begun to disperse with the iirs
indications of sunrise, but hundreds sti
fingered on the spot. Without singl
movement to warn them, the earth opene
under foot, and the dead lava which the
had been treading upon as curiosity turr
ed again to molten fire. Those who wei
, not engulphed in the chasm as it burr
, forth attempted to flee for their live
. Happily the feet and sure Of foot wei