Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08

Ancient Roman Scenes Revived in the
Forum of the Classic Town.


Forum of the Classic Town.
A series Of classic fetes recently oc-
CURED at Pompeii in imitation of the
ancient Roman spectacles, says the New
York Herald. The old town was recon-
structed for the occasion, in order to re-
semble, as nearly as possible, its ancient
glory, and on Saturday, May 10, the fetes
began. At ? O'Clock, ander teryid SUM-
shine, the old Forum of Pompeii was
thickly lined with spectators awaiting
the appearance Of the emperor Yespa-
sian." L0ng-drawn blasts OF trumpets
announced the approach of the process
sion, headed by ten PretOrians on horse
back, one of whom had true Roman
cast OF features, which well suited his
scrupulously copied costume. These
We're followed by youths carrying tri-
pods, from which rose clouds of incense,
and others bearing the images of Isis,
Bacchus, Venus and alarge bronze statue
of Augustus. The grCap of the Priests
of Isis, with closely shayen heads, naked
arms and shoulders, and flowing white
robes with heavy fringes, the augurs with
green wreaths, the band of musicians
crowned with flowers, the Emperor re4
clining on panther skin, in his silk cur
tanned litter borne by eight yellow capped
bGeA u . OtlG -lNhBH VI ECHdkNlS duI tuG
POmpeiian pOpulace, all slowly advancing
to the sound Of twisted trumpets, flutes
and tambOurines through the narrow
streets OF Pompeii, gave as realistic a pic
ture as could be possibly achieved under
the searching light of day. The crown
ing success, however, was the appear
ance of the EmperoSs tribune in the cir
Gus, surmounted by eagles and trophies,
decorated with statues and palms, and
aHadan nv tho fv~raffaa1 u Tho II mn
ror Vespasian, in crimson, white and gold,
sat with imperial dignity in the centre,
surrounded by priests and augurs, and
groups Of white r8bed Senators on either
hand. Beyond these again open galleries
were filled with Pompeiiansin robes of
every color, whose attitudes, assisted by
the beautiful Roman drapery that lends
itself so plainly to every position Of the
body, were really of such unstudiRd grace.
as one bent forward, another half Feclin-
ed, or a third shielded himself from the
sun with a portion of his robes, that each
group might have been a valuable model
to any historical painter. The whole pic
ture was splendid and unique, backed by
the exquisite outline of NesaYius, which
is now in all its glory Of spring green
mixed with the gray and purple tints of
ashes AID lava.
THE RACES.
The srumpets signaled the commence
ment Of the race, the Emperor threw
down his handkerchief End out rushed
four chariOts and careered round the long
circus, the drivers standing in attitudes
expressive of the utmost effort, their
bodies entwined BIZ the yellow Feins,
their bright cOlOred mantles floating in the
wind. At the second round the white and
red charIOts lost each, unfortunately, a
wheel, but the race was continued, and
won by the blue chariot, whose splendid
Z black horses were deXterOusly guided
round the difficult turnings. Then follow
ed horse races, wrestling matches and aero
batic performances, the winners receiving
palms and She plaudits of the Pompeiian
and modern spectators. After q pause
occupied in visiting the correctly restored
taverns, where an injudicious mixture of
antique and modern walters made the
latter look especially mean and ugly, the
wedding procession passed through Pom
pei. This spectacle was less successful.
only saved from failure by the chanting
of the beautiful nuptial hymn and the
music of the flutes; but the whole impress
sion of these classic reViVals was entirely
satisfactory, and, with allowance for hUr-
ried preparation and restricted means,
great credit is due both to the promoters
and the performers.
THE GAMES.
The games at Pompeii began on the
second day with a repetition of the
circenses. The performers had per-
fected themselves in the several parts,
and the picturesque effect of the
representation could not be surpassed.
The unpunctuality and delay were, how
ever. much worse than on the previous
day, while much of the pleasure was de-
stroyed through the spectators having to
sit unshaded beneath q sun which even
NeapOlitans considered exceptionally Sc
we're. After the circense and much further
loss of time the representation of the
funeral took place, concluding with a
burning funeral pyre. The whole of this
representation was also given with ex-
ceptionally learned accuracy, and the
funeral music, performed on instruments
ofancient shape constructed for the oc-
casiOn, was much admired. 1t was COM
posed for the fetes by Maestro Alberti. A
rather absurd incident troubled the funer-
al procession. A wasp's nest was dis
turbed and the owners, issuing out
against the intruders, caused some tenn
pOrary confusion.