The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-30

Excavations ~ Pom >ph on an uhprece-
cented scale are contemplated by the ltal-
Han government aEd IL is expected that
within the next few YEAR the entire city.
o. which oniy a smaH fraction IS a. a
uncovered. viii be resurrected from tie
volcanic pumice and ashes that oyefle IL.
Recently fresh part Of the ancient town
has been disclosed by spade and plckax,
comprising many houses Of q beauty kitb-
6rto unoqUalsd, and this discovery has
lent fresh stimulus 90 the spirit OF re-
search. The architectural and artistic
treasures thus unCdrthed are being In
closed in plate glass. so as 10 protect
them against depreciation by yandsls
while exposing them 20 view Meanwhile
nothing Is given away OF sold to anyone,
not even 70 foreign institutions Of science,
because Pompeii is a unique show pace.
ana II is deemed proper that people who
want TO see its wonders shall come TO
Italy for that purpose The Naples Mu-
scum has thousands on thousands Of
cooking utensils derived from the kitch-
ems OF the buried burg, but IL will not dis
pose Of "a single pot or pam OF gold and
silver surprisingly little has been found
The most remarkable find" OF treasure
made In Pompeii up 10 date was in an an
cient farmhouse two miles north Of the
city. which was excavated a few years
ago. In room where there had been a
wine press was big vat, in which was
discovered the skeleton OF a man, togeth-
or with more than 1900 gold coins, half
dozen gold bracelets, a long gold chain
and an exquisite table service Of silver
There can be no doubt that the remains
were those on an unfortunate gentleman
who. flying from the Inflated town in the
midst OF the hailstorm Of pumice, was
obliged 70 seek refuge in the farmhouse,
and considered that the empty wine vat
offered the safest place for himself and
his valuables The silver service was
acquired by Baron RothschIld. who pre-
scented IL to the Louvre.
Skeleton with Gold Coins.
At the landing place Of the harbor. near
the city. many skeletons and quantities Of
gold jewelry have been found. indicating
that numerous persons were cut OFF in
trying to escape in boats Even vessels
OF considerable size must have been quick
ly tlled and sunk by the rain of volcanic
stuff, and thus this avenue OF flight vas
barred
one OF the finest mansions thus far cx-
cayated is known as the Villa OF Dion
edes having belonged apparently to a
gentleman Of that name. In the rear was
a garden planted with trees, Charred re-
mains OF which are found, and with a
fish pond in the middle Two skeletons
were discovered near the door of the gar
cen, representing, apparently, a slave and
his master. the latter having a large key
in one hand and bag OF gold and silver
pieces in the other. Doubtless they were
trying 10 make their way out when they
were overwhelmed, the key being that of
the door, which opened out of the garden
into the fields beyond
other members of the family evidently
sought safety in the cellar where eight
cen skeletons were found, some of them
those or children. one woman wore
three necklaces and several gold ard sill
yer rings. These people were suffocated
by ashes, which came in through the win
doWs In other parts Of the same house
were discovered fourteen skeletons of
men, also the bones of dog and a goat.
The bodies of the people who persisted
In the cellar were covered with moist
ashes, which, as they hardened, preserved
the shapes. n this manner Perfect molds
were made OF the forms of many Indi-
Viduals lug out in various places, ana
Toy the simple process Of filling them with
moist plaster of paris admirable casts
were obtained, slowing what the persons
looked like in life, and even how they
were dressed. Quite number of such
melancholy oftigies, representing both
men and women. are preserved in the
museum at POmpeii.
The Ancient City Of Pompeii.
Pompeii is believed to have had rather
more than 20,0O0 inhabitants The city
stood on an elevation overlooking the sea,
the whole of the Bay of Naples being In
view, while in the background loomed
grim Vesuvius, the destined destroyer.
Close by flowed the river Sarno, which
was crossed by a bridge. The volcano
was supposed TO be extinct. and its sides
were cultivated all the way up 10 the sum
nit. Grapes were largely grown, and
wipe-making was an important industry
IL the neighbOrhOOd, which likewise pro-
duced cabbages famous for their excel
lence.
l. was the city of the clan Of the Pom
pcys, founded by the Oseans, an ancient
Italian tribe, in the sixth century s. C.
o. earlier, afterWaTd conquered by the
Samnites. a rival tribe. and eventually alb
scrbed by mighty Rome. The culture OF
the people was very Greek; they Worship
ed various Greek gods and used the
Greek names for their weights and meas
ures. Being 20 beautifully situated. and
having delightful climate, Pompei was
a favorite resort OF wealthy Romans,
many OF whom had villas there. Cicero
had a handsome cottage as IL would
row be called, and the imperial family
maintained a palace close by. The villas
were mostly on the high ground back of
the town, toward Vesuyius, and facing
the sea
Small earthquakes were frequent but
moi much was thought OF them. ON the
NTH day Of February. in the year IS A. D.,
there came tremendous shock, which
was a warning OF what was 10 follow. 1t
threw down a large part Of the city. IN
Guiding the beautiful temples Of Jupiter,
Apollo, and Isis, but most Of the damage
was repaired BY the time of the great
catastrophe.
The eruption which was destined 10 be
so memorable began early In the morning
OF February a, 70 A ID. Spectators looking
from a great distance saw a mighty cloud
spread and oyerhang the city ike a vast
and ominous umbrella. There was stu
plenty OF time 10 get away in safety ana
doubtless a majority OF the people did es-
cape before the impending volcanic storm
began. Judging from the number OF skeI-
etons thus far discovered, II seems prOba-
bic that not more than about 2 600 persons
actually persisted. However. great many
who attempted to leave In boats may have
lost their lives
The Admiral Pliny. with fleet, was not
FAR away, and letters brought by mounted
cOuriers reached him as early as p. m.
that day, begging him 10 come as quickly
as possible with his ships and help 10
rescue the people. lie set sail immediate
~ and arriving within sight OF Vesuvius
az Bightfall, ran into the rain OF pumice
that Was then falling II was impossible
10 make a landing AT Pompeii. and so he
uisembarked a Stabiae, where Il was hail
;ng cinders at such rate that during the
night b. was Obliged 90 leave the room In
which be slept Tor fear lest the door
might b. blocked up. On the following
morning he died, being sufiocated by vol