The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-08
FgTEs At POMPEIL
Ancient Roman scenes Revived in the Fo-
rum or the Classic Town.

Ancient Roman Scenes Revived in the Fo-
rum or the Classic Town.
A series OF classic ftteS recently occur
red in Pompeii in imitation Of the ancient
Roman spectacles. The old town was
reconstructed for the occasion. In order
10 resemble as nearly as possible its an
Gent glory: and on Saturday, May 10th,
the .fttes began. AT ? O'Clock, under
feryid sunshine, the old Forum Of Pom
peii was thickly lined with spectators
awaiting the appearance Of the emperor
Vespasian. Long.drawn blasts OF trum-
pets announced the approach OF the process
sion, beaded by ten Pretorians on horseback.
one OF whom had true Roman cast OF
features. which well suited his scrupalously
copied costume. These were followed by
youths carrying tripods, from which rose
clouds of incense. and Others bearing the
images OF Isis. Bacehus, Venus, and
large bronze statue OF Augustus. The
group OF the Priests OF Isis, with closely
shaven heads, naked arms and shoulders,
and fowire white robes witt heavy friuges,
the augurs with green wreaths, the band OF
musicians crowned wife flowers, Tue Enl-
peror reclining on panther SKIN. IN MS
silk-curtained litter borne by eight yell
low capped bearers, the groups OF sem
ators and the Pompeian populace. all
slowly advancing to the sound OF twisted
trumpets. flutes, and tambourines through
the narrow streets OF Pompeli, gave as
realistic a picture as could De possibly
achieved under the searching light OF day.
The browning success, however, was The
appearance OF the Emperors tribune IN
the circus, surmounted by eagles ana
.ro,hies. decorated with statues and palms,
and shaded by the typi;al awning. The
Emperor Nespasian, in crimson, wnlte,
and gold, sat with imperial dignity in the
centre, surrounded by priests and augurs,
and groups OF white-robed senators on
either hand. Beyond these again open
galleries were flied with Pompeiians
in robes OF every color. whose attitudes,
assisted by the beautiful Roman drapery
that lends itself so plainly TO every posi-
ton OF the body, were really OF such IN
studied grace, as one bent forward, an
other half reclined, or third shielded
himself from the sun with portion OF his
robes, that each group might have been
valuable model TO any historical painter.
The whole picture was splendid and
unique, backed by the exquisite outline OF
Vesuvius, which is now in all its glory OF
spring green. mixed with the gray and
purple tints Of ashes and lava.
THE RACES.
The trumpets signalled the commence
ment OF the race, the Emperor threw down
his handkerchief, and ont rushed four
chariots and careered round the long cir
Gus, the drivers standing in attitudes ex-
pressive Of the utmost effort, their bodies
entwined by the yellow reins, their bright
eolored mantles floating in the wind. AT
the second round the white and red'chOri-
OTIS lost each, unfortunately, wheel; but
the race was continued, and won by the
blue chariot. whose splendid black horses
were dexterously guided round the dif-
fcult turnings. Then followed horse
races, wrestling-matches, and acrobatic
perforrnanc IS, the winners receiving palms
| and the plaudits OF the Pompeiian and
modern spectators. After a pause occu-
pied in visiting the correctly-restorcd
taverns, where an iniudicious mixture OF
antique and modern walters made the lat
ter look especially mean and ugly, the
wedding procession passed through Pom
peii. 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 impression OF
these classic revivals was entirely satisfac-
tory, and, with allowance for hurried
preparation and restricted means. great
credit il due both 10 the promoters and the
performers.
THE GAMES.
The games at PompeIi began on the Sc
cond day with a repetition, OF the circenSeS.
The performers had perfected themselves
in the several paris, and the picturesque
effect OF the representation could not be
surpassed. The unpunctuality and delay
were, however, much worse than on the
previous day, while much Of the pleasure
was DESTROYED through the spectators hay-
ing TO sit unshaded beneath sun which
even Neapolitans considered exception
ally severe. After the circenSeS 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 eXcep-
,ionally learned accuracy. and the funeral
music. performed on instruments OF ancient
shape constructed for the occasion. was
much admired. II was composed for the
fstes by Maestro Albert. A rather alb
surd incident troubled the funeral process.
sion. A wasp's nest was disturbed, and
the owners. issuing out against the IN
truders, caused some temporary confusion.