The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-15
Royalty N Crater.

Friday, June %. was a gala day Oh the
Vesuvian F1nicular Railroad. The nags
# Italy and Portugal we're TO be aeen all
dong the line and making a brave show
Il the station house. The national
nymns of both nations were being play
d by two royal big bands, while night
vas turned into day by aid OF electric
amps, and around the .tation a fragrant
dover garden had been improvised amid
he rugged masses of iava. AT eight
o clock 10 the evening twelve royal car,
riages brought the Queens of Italy d
Portugal, the Royal Premier. attended
~ a numerous suite, to the station OF
the Funicular Railroad. Their MaJestles
we're rece we'd by the directors OF the com
pany, the manager, Commentators u,
Auico and the Sindics Of Regina and
Tore del Greco, and after ~allghtlng.
rested awhile and partook of some light
refreshments in the buffet of the station
,nIch hau been tastefully decorated ior
The occasion. Shortly after their MAJ,
e~stie>, accompanied by the Princess and
he ladies and gentlemen In waiting, en-
tered the car. Commentators D'Amlco
COX charge of the brakes and gave the
rider Ter starting. and the rapid upward
motion began. Halt way up the royal
train CT, ssed with a descending car occu
pied by a band playing the popular local
lir. ''Funiculi- Funicula." Their Maj
sites, who had been admiring the mar
veluus panorama unrOlllng itself below
heir feet, expressed their pleasure at
these hal monious sounds on the all but
PERPENDICULAR mountain side. The sum
ult, 1880 metres above the level OF the
SEA, was soon reached, and having taken
,heir seats in two cushioned chairs borne
on the shoulders of the Vesuvius guides,
The two Queens approached the crater
The Queen of Italy was attended by
Commentators DAmico, while Slgnor
Piccioli acted as escort to her Majesty OF
Portugal. The Princess and ladies ID
waiting followed, while successive trains
brought up the rest of the royal retlnue.
The level of the crater being attained,
heir Majestles went on foot to the cen
ma cone. and halted on the verge OF the
crater. Ncsuvius took a brave part 10
The show, sending up a shower of red
hot lava with an effect of Undesirable
grandeur.
The Queen of Portugal was in costa
cies with the scene, and Queen Margaret,
while expressing to all her admiration,
amused herself by pushing her alpen-
stock rlr"uyh the thin crust oD which
>he was standing into the burning lava
rul the point took fire. Eggs
we've 90 ked on the hot lava and eaten
with evident pleasure by their Maj,stIes
and IL" loyal Princes, who fist, how
ever, demanded permission If their
mother The royal party remained on
the summit nearly two hours, during
which time the Princes amused them
selves In examining the deposits from
two small ~orltices which had only become
ract the previous day. Just then .
in the wind brought the Stones
up by Vesuvius rather too clio e.
and the order to return was given. The
whole extent of the crater was illumIuu-
ted by numerous flaming torches, and a
magu icent band enlivened the scene
with Il selection of airs. Queen Margaret
led the way, marking Time To one ot
Strauss beautiful waltzes.
The descent by the Funicular line was
accomplished no less successfully than the
ascent, and on their arrival at the plat
form OF the station their Majesties ex-
.rcssed to the Prince of Peidimonte,
President of the company. and to Cam
%mendatore DAmlca. the great pleasure
which the whole trip mad Afforded them.
And in truth, it would be hard to picture
a more attractive scene; IN one hand, ma
ture, In its widest and weirest aspect,
with the great volcano to light up the
surroundings on the other, with its latest
and most wonderful invention, the cleo
rric light, the steam engine and tele-
phone. ali were there testifyiDg to the
highest triumphs ofman over nature, and
below. to heighten the contrast. was
spread in marvellous scenery the Bay OF
Naples. Italian Times.