Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-11-17
Eruptions of Vesuius.

! 1ue pLeeeuI eIu Ht4OA VI %hOuH'
suvius is, from all accounts, the most
severe manifestation of the kind that
has occurred for more than thirty
years. Beginning about fortnight
ago, with premonitory symptoms Of
earth tremors and the emission Of
steam, smoke, and sulphurous fumes,
the eruptions increased in violence un-
til it assumed a fury which threat
ened to devastate many miles of vine
yards, orchard. aud gardens in the
immediate vicinity of the volcano.
New craters have opened near the sum-
nit of the mountain, tha lava streams
have been larger than has been known
in this century, and the outflow more
extensive, while the pyrOtechnic dis
play is more expressive and magnih-
cent than any which has occurred
since the first grand outbreak, 1900
years ago, which was one of the most
stupendous disasters of any age.
Prior to the eruption Of a. D. 70,
in which Herculaneum, Pompeii and
great number of villages were de-
.troyed, Vesuyius was quie,cent. 1t
was a wooded mountain, with a crater
at the summit, underbrush and trees
clothing the cup-like depression down
to the lake in its depths. TIE region
was wild and sparsely inhabited, and
the mountain, with its steep slopes
and the dense underground which COW
sred its precipitous sides, was natu-
raj fastness that was utilized by Spar
tacus and his gladiators IN the early
stages of the great rebellion, and ter
minated by the slaughter Of the entire
rebel army.
The shape of the mountain and the
depression at the summit were 50 sug-
gestive of previous volcanic disturb
ances that Polybius, Strabo and other
ancient writers intimate suspicion,
amounting almost to probability,
that Vesuvius was once an active vol
cano, but it had not shown any signs
of disturbance in historic times and
was regarded in the first century Of
the Christian era much as the extinct
volcanoes of Southern France are by
the people living in their neighbor-
hood.
Since the famous eruption in a. D.
70, Vesuvius has never been COM
pletely at rest, though sometimes qui-
escent for periods of many years.
For some cause, which the scientists
are not able to explain to their own
satisfaction, tn. outbreaks of Vesuyius
during the last 200 years have greatly
increased in number, though their Vi
olence is not so marked as the earlier
eruptions. Since the beginning Of the
eighteenth century there have been
forty-three manifestations of volcanic
fury, each attended by more or less
destruction of life and property. The
eruption of l779 had as a spectator
Sir William Hamilton, scientist not
less capable than Pliny Of observing
the phenomena he beheld and Of re-
cording hi. observations for the IN
struction of the world. According to
Sir William. notes, the eruption OF
that year was one Of the grandest spec
tacles ever seen on the earth. white
smoke, like heaps Of cotton, rose four
times as high as the mountain, and
spread about to a proportional extent,
Into these clouds, stones, scorlae and
ashes were projected at least 10000
feet high. Columns Of fire shot forth
three times as high as the mountain
and great masses Of rock were thrown
out, one Of which, subsequently meas
ured, was lO8 feet in circumference"
Vesuvius is regarded by scientists
as a most instructive object lesson in
volcanic phenomena. For many years
the Italian Government has main
tained an observatory on the noun
tain, and with instruments adapted to
the purpose it is quite possible to fore
tell an eruption. Many lives and
much property have been saved in re-
cent years by this precaution, and now
when the instruments of the observer
on Vesuvius indicate an approaching
disturbance the news is telegraphed
down the mountain and circulated
among the people of the villages and
farms at its base. The present erup-
ton was foretold week before it oc-
Cured, the observer notingan unusual
disturbance and sending out the intel
ligence. That people should reconcile
themselves to live on the slopes Of a
volcano is one of the curios Of human
nature. 1t might be supposed that
after one experience Of disaster the