The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-01-20
RESPONDER NOE.
Letter from Europe.
NAPLES, ITALY, Dec. 20th,

MesSrS EdtorS,-The beauty Of the
view afforded by this city and its sur
roundings has not been exaggerated.
1t comprehends more, perhaps, in one
sweep of the eye than any other place
on earth. From vessel in the bay
one sees a magnificent amphitheatre,
the city being built on the ascending
tiers of galleries which rise from the
water, with Mount Vesuvius standing
at the right, holding his blazing, smok
ing torch three thousand four hundred
feet high. Above it all is sky cloud.
less and intensely blue. Along the
edge of the bay is one Of the finest
drives in Europe, where in the after
moons throng the wealth and fashion
of Naples. Except this grand boule-
ward, the lower streets will not bear
inspection, but are filled with sights,
smells, and sounds which shock the
senses. Higher up are found the
palaces of the nobility and the homes
of the rich.
At the left of the city is seen tun-
mel or d" grotto," third of mile long,
in the time of the Emperor Nero. AT
the nearer end is the tomb of Virgil !;
the further opening leads to Puzzuoli
(ancient Puteoli) where the Apostle
Paul landed when on his way to Rome
prisoner, and where he found breth-
ren who desired him to tarry with
them seven days.
1t was not very many years after
Paul's visit to the bay, that a memoir
able occurrence took place in 70 A. D..
on the opposite side at Pompeii. This
city was destroyed and truly covered
up with the debris Of volcanic erup-
ton. Here it lay undisturbed for sew
enteen hundred years, when eXcava-
tions were undertaken. POmpeii is
now mile or two from the bay,
whereas in ancient times it was a sea
port, and even now the stone-paved
landing place is seen in perfect state
of preservation. The irruption which
destroyed Pompeii also filed up the
harbor for quite distance and made of
it a fertile plain.
We visited this intensely interesting
place on a clear day. Naples was glis-
tening in the distance, Capri island,
and Ischia, where few years ago sew
eral thousand people lost their lives in
an earthquake, loomed up from the
sea, and few miles from us stood We
suvius, pouring out great pillows of
smoke which rolled away into the sky.
The city looks as fresh as if it had been
covered up last year, and uncovered
yesterday. 1t was not long subjected
to the destroying influence Of heat, or
it would not be the interesting place it
is today. First came the rain of fire
which consumed the combustible roofs,
and, it is supposed gave most Of the
inhabitants an opportunity to escape.
Then ensued a deluge of mud, which
filled up every space, and preserved the
city in a singularly perfect state. Eggs,
bread, nuts, prunes, and many other
things Of household use were preserved.
The frescoes on the walls are, in many
cases, perfect, and show what the peo
pie of that day delighted in. Some of
these frescoes tell terrible tale of
crime. Now that the earth has been
removed, one secs a city without an in.
habitant. It's streets are oppressiyely
silent. There are the tracks Of wheels
but no sound Of rumbling chariot; the
print of hands and feet, that are no
more, at fountains which have been
dry for eighteen hundred years the.
atres without actors or audiences
temples with no priests nor worship
pers; market places, shops, baths,
without sound or shape Of human