Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-10
A POMPEIAN HOUSE.
THE CASA DEL CENTENARIO THE LARGEST
HITHERTO DISCOVERED.

HITHERTO DISCOVERED.
TIE Naples correspondent of the
Daily News writes "The house which
was begun to be excavated at the Gel
obTation of the centenary of Pompeii,
aud is, therefore, called Casa del
Ceptenario,' and from which then saw
three skeletons dug out, has proved to
he the largest hitherto discovered. and
is OF peculiar interest. 1t contains two
atTia, two tvichnia, four alae or wings,
Calidarium, frigidarium, aud tepid-
a!ium. IL occupies the entire space
between the streets, and most likely a
fourth, which has yet to be excavated
The vestibnleis elegantly decorated, and
its mosaic pavements 0rnamented with
the figure of a 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 if by an earthquake, and
there is large hole through which one
sees the cellar. The second atrum is
very spacious, with handsome
perisyile, the columns-white and red
stucco-being 26 in number, In the
center is large marble basin, within the
edge of which runs a narrow step. On
the pedestal at one side was found the
statuette of the Faun which ! lately
described. The most interesting place
in tie house is an inner cour6 or room,
on one 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
foOr runs wreath of leaves about a
yard wide, with alternately lizard and
ast0rk. Above it, about a yard distant,
dloop, as if from over a wall, large
branches Of vine or ivy and broad leaves
like those Of the tiger-lily-all very freely
naturally, aud gracefully drawn. At
each corner OF the room a bird clings
to one OF these branches Then come a
space-borderea at the top by another
row of leaves-in which is represented a
whole aquarium, as if the room were
lined with tanks. There are different
sorts Of shells and aquatic plants lying
at ID. bottom Oft the water, and, SWIM
ming in or on it, all kinds of fish, Jelly
fish, sepias, ducks, and swans, admirably
sle.ched with light yet firm touch.
The ripples made by the swimming
ducks are indicated, and one duck is
just dying into the water with splash.
On each side of the niche this aquarium
~ enliVened by special incident. To
the left large octopus has caught a
nonstrous muraena Qamprey)-vhich
turns round to bite-iu its tentacles; to
the tight a fine lobster has pierced
another ,uur@ua through and through
with its long larp feelers, o. horns.
These creatures are painted in the
natural coIors very trUthfnlly. On the
left wall of the room, above the fishes,
are Two sphinxes, supporting on their
leads square marble vases, on the brim
Of which sits dove. Behind the niche,
and on the left side of the room, run a
little gallery with corridor underneath,
lighted with small square holes in the
border OF hanging branches. The wall
OF this gallery behind the niche is dec
Grated with q woodland Landscape in
which, on one side, is represented bull
running Irantically away with a lion
cl.ngiog to its launches; on She other
horse lying struggling on its back
attacked by a leopard; all nearly the
size OF life. On each side Of the door.
W J IS painted, respectively, a graceful
GJs. au0 a bear, The other rooms are
aho very beautiful; one with splen-
d.'}E elegant design Oh black ground;
il another a small tresco representing a
9man pouring wine out of an amphova
into large vessel. The bath rooms are
large and elegant, the cold bath spa,
cious and of marble. In one room a
corner is dedicated to the lares and
penates, and in the fresco decoration
among the usual serpents, etc, Inoticed
the singular figure of Bacchus OF
bacchante, entirely clothed with large
grapes. In one OF the mosaic pavement,
is head Of lledusa, the colorS very
bright and well preserved. IS some OF
the rooms are only eXcavatea 10 within
two or three feet OF the floor, It i, posi-
bic that many valuable ornaments Oh
statuettes HAY yet be found, as every
thing indicates that this splendid hoNsc
belonged to some rich citizen
Charles Smith, a well known and pop
nlar bar-keeper In Natchez, vas shot ant.