Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-08-11
THE SCENE OF THE EARTHQUAKE.
[From the St. Louis Republican,

lErom the ST. Louis kepubucan.l
The island of Ischia, the scene Of the re-
cent terrible earthquake, IL located at the
fifteen miles southwest Of the Cape Of Miseno.
Its circumference, not calculating the in
dentationso OF the coast line, is estimated ut
nineteen miles. and the superficial area ut
about twenty-six square miles. Il not Of
volcanic origin, it bears abundant evidence OF
volcanic nction. Indeed, the most marked
Typographical feature Of the island, and it,
highest point, is Monte E~pomo-known to
the s1cients as EpomeuB-Which reaches an
altitude Of 1900 feet above the level of the
sea. The main summit, or cone, 10 surround
ed by twelve smaller cones, from one of
which, is 1892, came the last eruption. A part
Of the interior is occupied by q plain, between
which and the mountains are fertile valleys
noted for their inxnriant vegetation andpl
cultivated, as well as corn, and the olive and
other southern fruits are grown In profusfon.
Iron and sulphur are found In paying qunn-
titles, and brick, tile and pottery are largely
manufactured. The chief source Of revenue,
however, are the almost innumerable thermal
mineral springs, considered among the very
best in Europe. Casamicciola is specially
famous for its water, hot air and sand baths,
and Lacco has enough Of these to attract U
liberal patronage: The bathing season lasts
from June until September, but the fine ell
mate and charming situation of the island
draw visitors during the entire year. The
total permanent population is about 25,0Ao,
and the principal town-Ischia-on the east
coast, has $500. It is the seat of a bishop, and
has an old castle dating back to the fifteenth
century. The other towns are Forio, on the
west coast, $500 population; Casamiccola and
Lacco on the north, Panzx and Moropano.
The island was first settled by the Greeks,
who, though prosperous, were soon driven
away by frequent volcanic visitations. A
second Greek colony shared the same fate.
The Neapolitans then took possession and
held it until expelled by the Romans; but
Augustus returned 1t to the original owners
In exchange for Capri. Alter the fall Of Rome
It suffered much from various invaders, and
In 1893 was captured by Charles III. Of Naples,
since which time its fortunes have been
blended with those of the neighborlng city.
Its history il unimportant, and from the ear
Hest days 1t seems to have been, what it Is
now, a favoriie resort for invalids.
1schia has always been subject to earth
quakes; the latest-until that Of last Sstur-
d~ay-having occurred In March, 1881, de-
stroying many lives and q large amount of
property. The fact is that the whok of
Southern Italy, mpre RaFtteularly the rSgiou
around the Bay Of Napleae g constantly liable
to these terrific .eonvu6tons 4 ps1ufe; of
which Vesuyius is apparently the sentef and
moving power, thoughztn the Rffeseptagns
takes no Visible part IN the work tThsEs =
good reason to belieye that Naples ffoelf.| With
It's population Of nearly 10000, res e1pop .
thin crust Of soil which may anyidY besilt-
tered by earthquake or torn asapder by vol
csnic fires. A few miles distant from Che
city, in an opposite direction from Yesnsfus,
is the extinct volcano of Sohetara, which iii
tourists are expected to .visit-and psy for
seeing. A heavy stone thrown upon the
ground produces . hollow sound, showing IN.
mistakably that there Is some kind Of an open
ing beneath; and from q hole in the side OF
the crater smoke and steam are continually
escaping, ezc.pt 0hen Nsuusus is in eruption.
Then, and only then, Sofetara gives no sign OF
life. From which we must conclude that
there is a subterranean connection be-
tween the two; and if so, 1t must, in all prob.
ability, run directly under Naples. If, there.
fore, Vesuvius and Solfetara should ever com.
bine their forces-which 10 by M means i'm
possible-the fair Italian city could hardly
escape an awful calamity, compared with
which that of the Ischian towns is merest
bagatelle. Because Solfetara is practically
I extinct now, there is no assurance that It al.
ways will be, for, as the reader will 2remsm.
Der, Vesuvius was considered extinct until
the eruption which destroyed Hsrculsneum