Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-19
Vesuvius in the First Century.
From the Oonte1nporarp Rectem.

In the first century of our era, and
doubtless Tor many previous generations,
VeSuvius was what would now be called
an extinct volcano. Rising some 5000
feet above the sea, it formed a notable
landmark in one OF the falrest landscapes
Of the Roman Empire. Its slopes were
richly cultivated, save around the sum-
nit, where the loose volcanic cinders had
not yet been covered by the mantle of
vegetation that during the previous Gen.
turtles had been gradually creeping
up the mountain. The barren crest sur
rounded a deep crater, whose rugged
walls, tepestrled with wild vines, in
closed the level space In which Spartacus
and mis- 5000 companions encamped. In
telligeut observers had noticed the prOba-
bic volcanic origin OF the mountain, and
tradition spoke of it's having formerly
emitted ire. But to the surrounding ill.,
habltaEJs it gave no sense of insecurity.
the peasants planted their vines up its
slopes, and the weather. Romans travelled
to Dathe i'll the warm springs that still
issue not tar from its roots, and to enjoy
the baimy climate Of that favored
region. At last succession OF
earthquakes, some Of them OF con-
siderable violence, continued during
a period of sixteen years to shake the
Vesuvian Campania. some of the towns
damaged. A Pompeian inscription re-
cords that the Temple OF Isis in that
town had to be rebuilt from the very
foundations. The subterranean cOmmO-
ton eliminated in the great explosion
which in the year 70 blew out the south
ern half OF the upper part OF the cone OF
Vesuvius. Seen from the west side of the
Bay OF Naples in the early hours
oil the eruption, the cloud OF steam
F,.,. farx nj hat Ia
sued from the mountain rose in
huge column, which spread out
at the top like the branches OF an Italian
pine tree. in the immediate neigh
| OorhOod OF the volcano clDders and pieces
of '|Durning rock" fell IN CONTINUOUS
shower, gradually filing up the streets
| ana open spaces of the town, crushing in
The roofs, and driving the Inhabitants to
the telds. Violent earthquakes accom-
panyLng the successive VoicAnic dis
charges shook and shattered tue houses
and Kept the sea in commotion. So vast
| WAS the quantity OF ashes and stones
thrown out that the country Tor miles
around was covered with debris. For
three days the air continued so loaded
with fine dust that darkness as of
night oyerspread the landscape. When
DAYLIGHT returned the ilelds and
gardens had disappeared under deep
covering OF white ashes that lay on the
ground like snow. The main portion OF
the volcanic detritus was no doubt eject
ed in the earlier stages OF the eruption, as
may be inferred from the fact that the
BODY OF tue elder Pliny (who, after the
courtyard of tue house In which he had
been sleeping was nearly choked up with
fallen ashes and stones, mad retreated
to the telus) was found three days
after, lying where he had fallen, and not
concealed by the dust that had set
tied down in the interval. There is
no evidence that any lava was emitted
during the eruption. But the re hot
stones ana The glare from the crater upon
the oyernanging pail OF cloud probably
show that molten lava rose 10 The surface
IN the vent OF the volcano, while mucn Of
the impalpable dust mat hlled the air was
no doubt due TO the explosions of super
heated vapors by which successive
portions OF the rising column OF
lava were blown out. Though the
Inflated region was spared the de-
structiOn which would have been
oaus d by the outflow OF streams Of lava,
il was In some places near the base OF
VesuvIus invaded by rivers OF thick
pasty mud produced by the condemnation
of the dense clouds Of yapOr aud the ming
ling OF the water with the fine volcanic
ashes, These mud torrents swept over
Herculaneum, burying 10 10 a depth OF
90 feet or more. At Pompeii also the
heavy rain seems TO nave formed a SINH
lar mud, when ran down into the base
menls OF the houses and quickly envel-
Oped the human victims VINO nad take n
refuge there.