The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-01-20
MISCELLANY.
EARNINGS FROM VESUVIUS,

" ANN4"OC 2tcU1 OV1OOs
The Naples correspondent of the Lon
don Times writes to that Journal on
Dec. 10:
We have had no other alarm from the
earthquake since Monday, and the public
feeling is subsiding into its usual tranquil
state of security. For one or two days
every one, believe, was anxious and ap.
prehensive, for it is no triflc to be rocked
in your bed, to see your walls rocking
backward and forward, and to hear the
timbers creaking. Such sights would be
alarming anywhere, more especially in
Naples, which has suffered from a series
Of disasters, and which has not yet tor
gotten the awful earthquake of 1857.
On Monday night and Tuesday morning
few persons went to bed: or if they did
they threw themselves on it in military
style, completely dressed and ready for a
start. Many formed parties, as if seek.
ing security in society. but more were in
the streets, in cafe., or in carriages Of
any kind they could lay hands on. Thoes
who were less fortunate had to pass the
night on the pave exposed to rain, and
what for this country was bitter cold.
There was full expectation that the
earthquake would repeat its visit at the
end Of twenty-four honrs after the first
shock-it not unfrequently does-so that
from midnight until 1924 on Tuesday
morning apprehension became increasing.
" and painfully strong.
Conversation was on the wanc, snatch
es of Litany were chantcd here and there
almost soto voice. As o'clock ap-
preached there was dead silence, as If
tho enemy were upon them and thus it
was at 1915 when apprehension was in.
tense but the minutc.hand marked 3:24,
and the sense Of relief was great, for
nothing happened to create alarm, though
this did not suffice to satisfy those who
tancied that the dreaded visitor might
have delayed his coming, or that clocks
might be wrong. A few minutes more
restored tranquility to the most timid;
and by dawn Of day all went home chill.
cd to the marrow, many, it is probable,
having found the death from which they
fled. During the day preceding this
anxious night preparations were made by
persons which remind US Of the hurried
flight from Pompeii, indications Of which
have often been brought to light during
the excavations. Boxes were purchased
and jewels packed, and in some cases it
is said, even articles of dress. All that
was most precious was in readiness to
be carried off, and, says Journalist, one
lady sent off her 'adorato papagallo'
(adored parrot), to be restored if demand
ed, or: bequethed to the friend if she
herself were buried under the ruins of
Naples. 1t is unnecessary to say that
this general apprehension was OF ! most
exaggerated and unnecessary character.
Still no one can answer for his house
when its foundations arc heaving up and
down. and We cannot forget the horrors
OF 1857, when 10000 persons were des.
troyed by earthquake in the neighboring
provinces. and our bells rang. as it
were, funeral peals over Them. Later re.
ports now tell US that the shock was felt
IS far as Bari, and in every place it ex.
cited great alarm. In Salerno the PEG.
pie were in state Of fanatical madness
All rusncd to the cathedral, insisting or
bringing out the statue Of the patro.
saint, Saint Matthew, and the bells
being rung-a not uncommon practice in
tempest. The clergy, however, in
obedience to the civil authorities, would
not permit it, but the public feeling va.
too strong to be resisted, so that thu
statue was carried off on the shoulders o.
men. Wax tapcrs were seized, and, fol
lowed by many thousand persons, St
Matthew was borne in procession through
the streets. There was considerable few
that . dangerous collision might have oc'
cured, for by order of the Project, de-
tachment Of soldiers was sent out and
placed at tho disposal Of tho Quastor
After . long time, however, the people
wero persuaded that the saint had it'll,
connection with the earthquake, and :.
it did not repeat its visit, st Matthew
was taken back to the cathedral, and al
returaed TO their homes. .*5
4. u t<tiEas l3st EE%l % eff, :