The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-30

lecture, It's Corinthian pillars and its
triumphal arches, they appiauded the
feats of skill and strength performed
by the Pompeiian athletes, but when
strong men ran away and women
wept. when frantic citizens yelled with
dismay and rushed heller SHELTER In
their vain efforts to secure reserved
seats, the spectators gazed with min
gled awe and admiration at .old We
suvius and aplauded his every belch to
the echo. Encouraged by the heart
less multitude, Vesuvius. who had
grown weary of frowning on Pompeii
for so many years, opened his mouth
from forehead to breast and poured
a cataract of liquid fire upon every
body in sight from the Pompeiian
small boy who was watching the pa
rade to the loftiest high priest In the
procession.
After the citizens had disappeared
from view. Vesuvius then began to
shake the temple of Iris. The ediflce
tottered In majestic defiance as it were
ana the city hall crumbled and fell a
heap or ruins. for rank corruption
running all within had infested it un-
seen: Presently from the roofs and
.portlcos Of princely palaces shot
tongues of flame. The establishment
or one Arbaces wealthy priest with
an unholy eye for Glaucus' lone, was
entwined with serpents. of fire. This
structure also tottered. was demol-
ished within.
Nydia, the blind girl, ran to and fro
along the pebbly shore of the Bay of
Naples, the picture OF distraction and
despair. She was indeed the most at
tractive and striking figure in the
whole pageant. For pageant indeed
1t was. At least 200 people marched
upon the broad street, attired in pic
turesque and brilliant costumes re-
f1ecting the gayety and prosperity Of
the ancient cite by the sea. The illu-
mination was most skillfully managed.
In the glare of the white and red rays
OF light, shed directly upon the city,
the set pieces representing the princi-
pal edif1ces stood forth for all the
world in bold relief, like massive
structures Of bygone age and people,
When at last the catastrophe came,
and the fierce flames enveloped the
imposing structures, the spectators
were impressed, as we'll as excited by
the dramatic climax Of the scene.
The performance begins with
pageant. in which Arbaces, a wealthy
priest, is the chief figure. Bulwer's
famous story is the basis of the spec
tacle. The grand procession, compris-
ing the Roman soldiers priest in white
robes, dancing girls, ladies, guards of
honor, crosses the stage and bows to
the officials Of the city, who sit under
canopy to the right in a building
overlooking the water. Part Of the
processing, including Arbaces, who
clad in purple and gold. walks under a.
canopy, awaits the arrival Of the gal
leys, which come into view at the left
They advance and from the second
galley alight lone and Glaucus, her
affianced. Arbaces falls in love with
lone and invites her to come to his
palace. Glaucus realizing the author
ity of the priest advises lone to 60
and the party thereupon enter the
royal barge and proceed to the palace
Then the scene is changed to night and
the beautiful city with it's villas and
temples appears brightly lighted with
lamps Of divers colrs. The procession
forms anew, and marches down to the
Egyptian temple, to worship the gold
en- calf. The high priest commands
everybody to bow down in alteration
Of the wolden calf. Glaucus, who is
a Christian, refuses, and draws his
sword. Arbaces engages him in COM
bat. At this eA3iting juncture, Nydia,
the blind girl, rushes in and over
throws the golden calf In an instant
all is confusion, but before further
violence ensues, Venuirus breaks forth
and the wrath Of the people gives way
to CONSERVATION.
The spectacle as a whole Is vastly
entertaining. The athletic programme
includes several f1rst-class acrobatic
and horizontal bar feats. The audience
was very large, but the aocommoda-
lions were ample and the street rail-
way service satisfactory. The pyrote-
chinic display following the spectacle
was greatly enjoyed comprising as it
did many novel features.