The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-07-25
Wonders of Pompeii.

as the saying is. This city has been rem
dered familiar to Americans by the late
novelist, Lord Lytton, in that incom-
parable work, "The Last Days of POM
peii." A railroad runs from Naples to
the city, which has been about exhumed
from the ashes; and delightful ride
of about forty minutes takes us along
the beautiful Bay ofNaples, in full view
of its blue, limpid waters, and carries
us over the ruin of the twin city in the
dreadful destruction, far-famed Her
culaneum. The remains of Pompeii are
all under the control of the government,
which charges an admission fee6f two
francs, for which amount visitors are
also furnished with competent guides.
The gateway by which you enter is only
few minutes walk from the railway
depot, and you are at once within the
precincts of the Silent City.
Eighteen hundred years ago the city
was full of life. Nearly thirty thousand
people promenaded its streets, and it
was scene of Roman luxury and vo-
luptuousness. Its situation on the sea
made it most fashionable place of re-
sort for the wealthy Romans, and the
Emperor Claudius had his pleasure
house there and the great orator,
Cicero, residence. 1t was likewise a
commercial seaport, and lively traffic
was carried on by it's merchants. But
in August, A. D., 79, Vesuvius belched
forth mass of burning lava, ashes, Gin
ders, hot water and mud, and the town
was totally buried. Since that period
other eruptions have heaped up other
volcanic matter on the site of the city,
and for nearly seventeen centuries
Pompeii remained dead to the world.
About one hundred years ago the en-
tombed city was discovered, and imme-
diate action was taken to excavate as
much of the ruins as possible.
The work has been going steadily on,
but not more than one-half of the city
has yet been exhumed. Still many
acres have been dug over, and miles Of
streets have been brought to the light
of day. The buried portion is still COW
cred with tons upon tons of stones,
ashes, cinders and hardened mud, to a
depth of from ten to twenty feet above
the tops of the houses. Over this are
two feet of rich soil, which is exceed
ingly productive and covered with fine
trees.
The government employs every win
ter abodt two hundred people, compris-
ing men, women and children, in ex-
cavating this part. The men dig; the
women and children carry away the
rubbish in baskets. The exhumed por-
ton of the city lies open to the bright
sun, and is slightly elevated above the
level of the surrounding country.
This city is now a perfect picture of a
Roman city two thousand years ago.
The streets, pavements, temples, images,
theaters, dwellings, columns, arches.
fountains, forums, shops of various
trades, musical instruments, weapons Of
war, implements of labor, marble and
bronze statues, mosaics, frescoes and
drawings, dining-rooms, bedrooms and
kitchens, with their appropriate furni.
ture; food for the hungry and medicine
for the sick; glassware, vases and pot
terry; gems, medals, coins, fruits, flowers
and shrubs, are all seen as on the terrible
night when the city was doomed to 8
sudden destruction.
The streets are narrow, some not being
more than eight feet across, but they
are straight and regular. The pavement
is composed of large fat stones or blocks
of lava, and the deep ruts cut in then
by the Roman chariots are clearly per
ceptible. AT the crossings are large
stepping stones for the use of pedes
trians, so as to keep their feet from thu
mud. Everything in the street wa
silent and deathlike. There were NJ
human beings in the houses, no prom
enaders in the streets; all were deserted
The dwelling houses are generally small
and one storied. They are built of ston,
and brick, plastered on the outside will
mortar. An open court is in the center
and the different rooms are arranged
around in the Oriental style. Most o
, the roofs are destroyed, having beel
crushed down by the weight of tn
ashes. In the dining-rooms the tablet
, are of stone, and many are covered witt
petrifed food. Beds and couches are il
the sleeping-rooms.
In one of the kitchens were found
fowl put in the skillet and stew-pal
containing small pig for roasting--al
, prepared eighteen hundred years age
, Many beautiful mosaics were found o.
2 the floors, and elegant frescoes on tn
t walls, and they looked as bright an
| fresh as if they had only been finished
7 few years. The frescoes, pictures
, mosaics and sculptures, and even jew
e elry discovered in some of the houses
e show a terrible depravity in morals
a Many are SO indecent the public are nc
1 allowe4to look at them. In the Hous
of the Vestals," upon the doorsill, is th
word "Salve," welcome. A mosai
with the representation of fierce do
and the inscription, "Cave Canem,o b.
:. ware of the dog, is near the threshold {
r the House of the Tragic Poet"
In the streets are many shops whic
l. still have the signs over the doorway
Y In one there. is some marble part
/ sculptured, with the artists tools lyir
, around; in another, medicines an
% surgical instruments; in third, ma
e BILE counter, with stone liquor jars b
e hind it, and the stains made by the W
$ glasses on the counter prove that this w
" a drinking saloon. Then there is s
is eating-house. Meats and delicacies a
Is on the counter; fireplaces to keep Il
d soups and messes warm are still in Il
4 room. The same building contains
70 grist-mill and bakery. In the baker
s. shop batch of loaves was found, Whit
of had been in the oven since the Oath
a. August, A. D. 70. The mill was turn
d, by horse power.
Sc The various temples that have be
in exhumed contain idols made of marb
I'd silver and gold. The Temple of Isis
Sc eighty-four feet long and seventy-fi
n. broad. The ashes of victims were foul
It on its altars. The skeleton of a prie
d. sitting at table on which was spread
meal, is here, while near the door is q
n other priest, holding in his skelet
to hand hatchet, with which he h
Sc tried to cut his way out of the temp
o. Three hundred skeletons were disco
be cred in the temple of Juno, all crowd
se together and buried beneath the ash
r. At the very hour. of their destructi
sr- the priestess was offering sacrifices
ey the queen of gods. The forum occup
es- the central portion of the city.
en- each side are rows of columns and 10
mt porticoes which show the outlines
m this spot. Pedestals on which forme