Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-08


travellers, who were not injured by their
dangerous voyage.
A PoMPE1AN HOUSE.
THE CASA DEL CENrENARlo THE LARGEST
HITHERTO DISCOVERED.
The Naples correspondent Of the
Daily News writes: "The house which
was begun to be excsvated at the cel-
ebration Of the centenary of Pompeii,
and is, therefore, called Casa del
Centenario,' and from which l then saw
three skeletons dug out, has proved to
bo tho largest hitherto discovered, and
is Of peculiar interest. 1t contains two
stria, two trichnia, four alae or wings,
. calidsrium, frigidsrium, and tepid.
srium. II occupies the entire space
between the streets, and most likely a
fourth, which has yet to be excavsted.
The vsstibuleis elegantly decorated, and
its mosaic pavements ornamented with
the figure Of dolphin pursued by sea
serpent. In the first atrium, the walls
Of which are adorned with small theat-
rical scenes, the pavement is sunk and
broken, as II by an earthquake, and
there is large hole through which one
sees the cellar. The second atrium is
very spacious, with q handsome
perisyile, the columns-white and red
stueco-being 26 in number, In the
center is large marble basin, within the
edge of which runs q narrow step. On
the pedestal at ono sido was found the
statuette of the Faun which lately
described. The most interesting place
in tho house is an inner court or room,
on ono side of which is the niche, with
tiny marble steps, often to be seen in
Pompeian houses. The frescoes on the
walls are very beautiful. Close to the
floor runs wreath of leaves about q
yard wide, with alternately lizard and
astork. Above it, about yard distant,
droop, as if from oyer Q wall, large
branches of vine or ivy and broad leaves
like those Of the tiger.lily.all very freely
naturally, and gracefully drawn. At
each corner of the room a bird clings
to ono of these branches Then come a
space-bordered at tho top by another
row Of leaves-in which is represented o
whole aquarium, as if the room were
lined with tanks. There are different
sorts Of shells and aquatic plants lying
at the bottom ofthe water, and, swim
ming in or on il, all kinds of fish, jelly
fish, sepias, ducks, and swans, admirably
sketched with q light yet firm touch.
The ripples made by the swimming
ducks are indicated, and ono duck is
just flying into the water with a splash.
On each side of tho niche this aquarium
is enlivened by special incident. To
the left . large octopus has caught q
monstrous muraena Oamprey)-which
turns round to bite-in its tentacles; to
tho right o fine lobster has pierced
another murDna through and through
with its long harp feelers, or horns,
These creatures are painted in the
natural colors very truthfully. On the
left wall of the room, above tho fishes
arc two sphinxes, supporting on theil
heads square marble vases, on the brin
of which sits q dove. Behind tho niche
and on the loft side of tho room, run 8
little gallery with corridor underneath
lighted with small square holes in th'
border Of hanging branches. The wal
of this gallery behind the niche is dec
GRATED with woodland landscape il
which, on one side, is represented bal
running frantically away with q liol
clingipg to its launches on the other
q horse lying struggling on its back
attacked by leopard all nearly th
size of life. On each side of the door
way is painted, respectively, a graceful
doe and bear. The other rooms ar
also very beautiful; one with splen
didly elegant design on background
in another small fresco representing
man pouring wine out of an amphor
into large vessel. The bath rooms ar
large and elegant, the cold bath spa
cious and of marble. In one room
!: corner is dedicated to the lares All
penates, and in the fresco decoration
among the usual serpents, etc., l notice
the singular figure Of Bacchus Q
bacchante, entirely clothed with larg
grapes. In one of the mosaic pavement
, is a head Of Medusa, the colors yer
D bright and we'll preserved. As some (
! the rooms arc only excayated to With