Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-12
VISITING VESUVIUS.
Actual Condition Ofthe Lava Flow from
the Volcano.

Naples Letter to the Pail Mall Gazette.l
/ started with a friend to make the
ascent. 1t rained until we reached
the observatory, and then fortunately,
the day became delightful. 1t is a
weary climb up, though, through the
loose ashes, and one is tempted to halt
and admire the view pretty often be-
fore reaching the top. When we
had reached it we could see nothing
for the smoke and mist that filed the
big crater while far beneath US we
could hear the lava seething and FREE
quent explosions from the new cone.
We were advised at starting not to de-
scend into the crater but u guide
assured us we could quite safely do it,
so down we scrambled on to the lava.
The floor of the crater has risen in the
last few weeks from a considerable
depth to within about twenty feet Of.
a gapi in the side of the crater wall,
looking toward the old left-hand cone
of Vesuvius, and is still rising. AS
we stood on the comparatively cool
blocks ottawa, the fresh red-hOt stream
was slowly flowing out from the cracks
around us moveing on in a snake-like,
fascinating way, and breaking out in a
fresh place as soon as the flow stopped
elsewhere. Every crack showed the
lava red-hot a foot or so beneath US,
but the guides ran about on it and we
followed them, as FIVE were on the
level Campagna. At the upper end OF
the old crater-that is just underneath
the highest point of the old cone-is
the new cone, which has risen in the
last week or so a baby o n about
fifty feet in hight and perhaps 1916
yards in circumference at the
base, but a very noisy and fiery
cone, sending out continual puffs Of
smoke rosy with the flames which fire.
quently rise above its summit, aud
/, hurting into the air to a height of one
2 hundred feet or so Jumps Of red-hot
stone and lava, which, falling down Oh
/, to its sides, make them rise higher
every day. The wind Fortunately
blew the smoke away from us, Of
otherwise VIC should have been almost
if not quite suffocated where we stood
about thirty yards from the base o.
the cone; and we were able to enjoy
the wonderful sight, which, as a mar
who followed us down said, one coulC
: stay all day to look at. Accompany
ing the bursts of fame were holloy
reports, not loud, as | had expected
but %smothered, stifed explosions anC
: as ] climbed up the side of the crate
: so as to be able to look more into tn,
mouth of the new cone, I could Sc
e through the smoke a struggling confu
u sion Of flames, which found vent il
y the election Of the burning liquid
+ The crater walls are brilliant witt
2 yellow and orange-colored sulphur
g mixed With basalt and red lava an,
q white salts, forming a bright eontras
q to the leadened- colored lava whicI
! forms the floor and the black con
4 with its crown Of smoke. The guild
d told us the floor had risen an extra
a ordinary number of feet but, judg
Q ing from what We saw Of lava flowing
u it would take a month probably t
! reach the gap through which its ao'
u seems indicated unless it should buri
! out anywhere on the sideO If the mouT
2 tain. At present the stories that it
Is flowing down the outside of Vesuviul
n aud that Professor Palmieri is build
ing a dyke to protect the ~observator!
and so forth, are pure inventions.