The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-08-28

sight of st. Peters. The four hours be-
fore the next train started for Naples was
spent in a drive up town past the Coli
scum which reared its tottering walls
high against the vaulted heavens. If
this is the impersonation of Rome, it is
sublime, majestic, yet terribly cruel, for
we cannot forget the 10000 innocent
captiyes that were slaughtered by Ves-
pasian, when this great theatre was dedi-
Gated. As we rode down the forum we
thought of Caesar, Cicero, and of the
tragic fate of the Gracchi. After climb
ing the Palladium hill and viewing the
city, we returned to the station, and soon
were again on our way south. Our first
station was Veletri, the birth place of
Augustus. Every inch of ground oyer
which we now pass is hallowed by classic
scenes. We were no more thrilled at
the sight Of 81. Peters than when old
Vesuvius, together with the morning
sun saluted us. We were soon lodged in
the hotel National and were making our
plans for the future. To be able to bring
your thoughts to point is said to be one
of the elements Of genius, but [ am no
genius. | am in the city of Sirens, where
nature dances in perpetual holiday.
The air, the sea, the land, everything
seems radiant in the brightest beams of
beauty, and at the close of the day we
long for morning. 1 have just returned
from Pompeii, where 7 have spent one
of the most delightful days l have yet
enjoyed. We left at four o'clock this
morning, by train, obtaining fine view
of the bay of Naples as we skirted its
boundary as far as Rosina then we turn
to the left around the base of Vesuvius
and i'll twenty minutes are at the gate of
the doomed city.
What wonder thiss we asked the lmpid well
. Earth of thee and from the solemn womb,
W hat yields thou? Is there life in the abyss
Doth new race beneath the lava dwell?
Returns the past awaking from the tomb?
The earth with faithful watch has boarded all.'r
There was once a city of 80 900 in.
habitants, now the streets are as silent
as the grave. I can give but glance at
the many objects of interest visited.
After entering the gate we assembled
hill on the brink of which stands the
museum. Here are kept the relics from
the city, as they are excavated; here were
several SCARED and scorched bodies one
man with leather box of money in his
belt. two men clasped together, one large
and one small woman, also negro in
the act of fleeing. all lying in the same
positions as they were found. There were
numerous earthen jars, stoves, bcdsteads,
ETC., etc. After lingering here for some
time we passed down the street toward
the Forum the walls of the building
are now about from eight to ten feet
high, and seem to be in as good state of
preservation as when destroyed, nearly
1000 years ago. On the left we entered
the large temple of Venus. the altar and
some OF the statues remaining. Opposite
this is the Basilica, which opens in the
Forum /; this was their court house-the
high seats in the rear are still found;
the stairs underneath lead to supposed
prisons. The Forum is nearly in the
center of the city, and is SOS long and 119
feet wide. We entered it on the south
west corner; on our right were three
halle. used as minor courts of justice; on
the east of the Forum we visited the
temple of Mercury and the Town Hall.
On the walls were found, when first dis
covered, notices of elections and recon-
mendations of certain men to Office. /
presume the election was never heard
from. On the north of the Forum we
assembled thirteen steps and entered the
temple of Jupiter; this is the largest
temple in the city and seemed to have
been general headquarters. There is
large space in front with az elevated
platform, where / presume orators stood
to address the Assem- bly, gathered in the
Forum. Some fine Roman columns
still stand and several relics were found
here which testify to the Importance of
the place. We next visited the 4" Forum
Triangular" in the center of which a
Greek temple was found where we saw
conveniences for sacrificing animals. We
then descended twelve or fifteen steps TO
a large open court hack of large theatre,
called the Gladiators Barracks; sixty
three bodies we're found in this enclosure.
1t is now overgrown with bushes, and
gathered bunch of flowers; the theatre
is in good state of preservation. 1t
would hold 5000 people We next went
to the Amphitheatre, quarter of mile
further east, over place not yet exca
waited. This was very large and ingen-
iously built. and capable of holding
20, 600 persons. This was first discover
ed After an hours examination of this
place we returned to Isis street, on the |
eft of which is the Isis temple-.he
smallest in the city. The bodies of FIVE |
priests were found IN the small |
apartments in the wall We then passed
Up this street to the Forum again, where