The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-23
M j g CeIIaneo us.
For the Agts d MteMgencsr.
POmDeii,

A visit to Pompeii is one of the mos
satisfactory that can be made, not only or
account of the great interest which sur
rounds the ruins, and the important rela
ton they bear to our knowledge of the
domestic life of the ancient Romans, but
from the fact that the arrangements for the
comfort and convenience of visitors are SC
perfect that the ordinary fluctuations OF
sight-seers are unknown. The Italian gov.
ernment has taken complete charge of the
ruins, and, under its supervision, system
attic excavations are being made, and the
long-buried city is gradually being brought
to the light of day. Visitors are only ad-
mitted 10y ticket, the purchase Of which,
at the trifling price of two francs, about
40 cents, entities the holder to the services
of an experienced guide for the whole day,
if he wishes to continue his visit so long.
These guides are regularly uniformed and
numbered, and strictly prohibited from re-
ceiving any extra compensation for their
services. A cigar or bottle of wine, how
ever, has very encouraging effect on their
atfability. The authorities are very libe-
raj with students and artists who, by
special arrangement, are allowed to visit
thO iuiho ihtShhi'SlJ CluTRG. On
Sunday, too, the usual regulations are sus-
pended and any one may visit them with
out ticket, and without guide.
Contrary to the advice ofthe hotel porter,
who is usually on terms of intimacy with
those who have carriages for hire, we de-
cided to go to Pompeii by rail, and we
had no reason to repent of our decision.
The ride is by no means an uninteresting
one, as the train passes through the SUI,
burbs of Naples, skirts the coast and
brings beautiful views of the bay.
city and st. Elmo, besides other interest
ing points. The line passes all the way
through densely peopled region, the hab-
itations of which are neatly built on old
lava beds, and passes in a cut through a
huge lava stream, 1900 feet in breadth, of
the eruption of 1894.
After passing three large towns, one of
which, Tore del Greco, containing nearly
10000 inhabitants, is built on the lava
stream of 1851, we arrived at Pompeii.
A more interesting ride of fifty minutes
could not be well imagined. These peo-
pie don't seem to have the wholesome fear
of eruptions which actuates persons less
accustomed to volcanic action One after
another of the terrible belchings of Vesu,
vius swept away houses and destroyed life,
yet they return undaunted after the action
subsidies and build again.
The study of the ruins of Pompeii does
not add much to our knowledge of the his
tory, philosophy or architecture of the
Romans. We know all from writings and
other ruins that they could teach us in re-
gard to those matters. But they are about
the only direct connecting link between us
and ancient domestic life. Here is pros
porous city of 10000 inhabitants, sudden
ly covered up with ashes and pumice stone,
without an opportunity for change. And
direful as must have been the catas
trophe to those who were there at the
time, it has been the means of preserving
for us, Theoretically sealed, as it were, a
complete example of the civilization of the
time. The formation of the houses, the
shops, the bread in the oven, the amphore
for wine, the painting and sculpture, the
streets, the temples, the baths and theatres
are all there as they were buried, and with
these things in view and a reasonable
knowledge of Latin literature, it is not
difficult for one to imagine himself slipping
Falernian and talking politics with the
Pompeians.
Pompeii was an ancient town of Italy
supposed to be of Greek origin, and like
all other Italian towns, became subject tt
Rome as that warlike city stretched ou
her conquering arms. 1t prospered under
Roman provincial government, increased
in size, and became more cosmopolitan il
character. 1t was the home of wealthy
and refined society, among which Greciar
elegance was cultivated. Its walls con
tanned elaborate residences, and its su
burbs were dotted with handsome villas
The wagon ruts cut in the tlagstones show
that the streets were busy with traffic. A
fearful earthquake in A. d. So destroyed
part of the town, and showed that ole
Vesuvius, who had stood quiet and grin
for centuries, was not dead. The town wa,
rebuilt and Romanized still more. Six
teen years later, A. d. 10, the bowels o
the old mountain began to rumble again
and shower of ashes three feet deep warn
ed the people to flee. But many returned
some to secure yaluables, some to rob
when shower of ashes and pumice stont