Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-17
THE GREAT BARTHQUAKE.

LOVELY AND PEACEFUL EVENING TURNED TO
A MocKERY-A SURVIVOR DESCRIBES his Ex.
pEBIENoE-K1NG HUMBERT's VISIT TO THE
RUINS.
The London papers by the latest mail con-
tain some additional particulars Of interest in
regard to this awful disaster A despatch
from Rome to the Times has the following
There was no sign whatever at Ischih on the
2Sth inst, while the sun shone brilliantly up
ON it, giving the slightest warning of the fear
full catastrophe impending. The evening is
described as one of the loveliest and most
peaceful which 1t is possible to imagine. The
Gulf Of Naples was like mirror not a bit
of air was stirring not a sail was to be seen.
As darkness came on the canopy OF heaven
was brilliantly studded with stars. The many
visitors with which Casamicciola was crowded
were gaily enjoying such another balmy Italian
night as Shakespeare has pictured in the 'Mer-
chant Of Venice Many had gone to amuse
themselves in the theatre, while others were
enjoying concert given in one of the hotels
called the Piccola Sentinella, and there, As
with prophetic irony, pianist was playing
Ohopins Funeral March In less than a
quarter Of minute death with one stroke laid
his hands on thousands, and this scene of
happy, careless enjoyment was changed to
one of desolation while the sounds of gay
laughter gave place to the shrieks of the dy-
ing One whole family escaped by having
taken a boat half an hour before to enjoy the
starry evening on the water near the shore
They suddenly heard q roaring noise the
water became agitated Casamicciola was in
stantly wrapped in dense cloud they heard
shrieks and groans from within the cloud, and
terrified laid hands TO the oars and rowed out
as far as they could"
Many of the survivors owe their escape to
having been at the time in the theatre, situat-
aA 1T fnrNn lot Oh IL
1t was a slight, temporary structure of wood
covered with canvas. Signor Giovanni Cash
nj of Arezzo who was present in it, passed
through Rome afterward, and the following
is taken from the description given by him to
the Captain FracRssa 1T was about 9:1j
when my friend proposed that we should 20
to the theatre. At the half hour the curtain
arose, but scarcely were the first words Of the
comedy spoken when we felt tremendous
shock, and was thrown several feet forward
and fell headong Imagine, at the samo
time roaring noise, like that Of heavy
railway train rushing at full speed on to an
iron bridge While the shock lasted the ground
rose and fell like the sea during a storm. /
cannot tell what Immediately followed: eve
rything weighs upon me still like an incubus
like horrible dream. | remember only that
we were heap of human beings tumbled to.
gether that the petroleum lamps had been
thrown down and we're setting fire TO the seats
that for a moment wo endeavored to extin-
guish the fire. and then out we rushed in a
torrent. ! next remember holding on to the
trunk Of tree and on looking upward saw
that its branches were filled with human be-
ings. Pieces of wood were piled together to
light bonfros along the shore as a signal for
help. | saw all around an indescribable mot
ley crowd-women in their night attire only,
old men in their dressing gowns, and naked
children. During the night half.dressod wom
en- were rushing madly about among the ruins
with torches in their hands, calling loudly for
their dear ones. Every now and then a squal-
id, unknown figure. with eyes wildly staring,
would rush up to one, asking: Have you
seen my husbandy Have you seen my SOM"
The Standards correspondent at Casamic-
ciola telegraphed, August ?, the following ac-
count of King Humbert's visit
The king arrived to-day and made an in
spection OF the ruins, attended by Siguor
Depretis, Mancpi and Henaa aud several 9TH
er officials and deputies The crowd which
followed them was comparatively quiet and
self-contained. and in general the only sound
heard was the half-suppressed sobbing of the
women, who at times pressed forward with
outstretched arms, crying "Maesta Maesta!"
as if they expected the mere presence Of the
king to bring immediate relief. The effect
throughout was singular and touching.
His majesty displayed the greatest sym
pathy with the terrible distress Of the people,
making a careful examination Of the ruins, and
being especially impressed with the awful and
most extraordinary havoc caused by the shock
in the upper town. He listened patiently to
the story of all who approached him, and re-
piled with kindly and benevolent words to the
hysteroal complaints of the group of old men,
women and children who remain among the
ruins as if unable to quit the place Of their
former dwellings. One old woman, on seeing
him approach, uttered piercing Shrek rose
and rushed toward him and threw herself on
the ground at his feet, crying Thanks,
king"
AT one point the king, walking on ahead
of his party, with his arms folded after his
usual manner, passed close to some walls still
standing in a dangerous condition. General
Mezzacapo, alarmed lest an accident should
happen, but afraid to interfere, said to Gen
Pas loud enough for the king to hear, and
in the hope of drawing him away; 1t is
scarcely worth while to 60 on We have seen
all there is TO see. The king turned sharply
round and said 4 command you to come
on From Lacco AMEND the king still clam.
bering over the ruins. went up to Forio d Is
CHA, distributing as he went bread and cloth
ing among the people, and also money until
he had emptied his own and all his ministers
pockets. At o'clock, after nine hours spent
on this charitable expedition, of no ordinary
fatigue, he returned on board the Explorntore
despatch boat and steamed for Naples, follow
ed by many blessings