The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-08-06
LIVING OVER A VOLCANO
THOUSANDS DWELL IN PEACEFUL
HOMES ON VESUVlUS.


from Lava Ia Due Largely to tho Trust
and Faith In tho Patron saint.
The volcano Vesuvius rises on the
mainland about 10 miles from the city
of Naples and about five miles from
the coast, writes w. T.. Curtis, in the
Chicago Record-Herald. Ii is encir-
clei by railway at the base. and up
TO the height of 1900 feet Is covered
with cities, villages, farmhouses and
vineyards. At least 10000 people live
in the midst of continual danger, to
which they seem entirely Indifferent.
| II seems strange that n section eX-
posed to such constant peril should
be so densely populated, and thousands
among those who brave IL must have
| witnessed the terrible destruction from
the disturbances of 1872. There were
| eruptions in 1895 and 1899, which de-
| stroyed the roads but did not other
| damage, although they were a loud
warning to all who occupy the great
amphtheatre within the range of vol
canic catastrophe. Last May the ma
! chinery of the railway that carries
people to the crater was partially
destroyed, but little lava was thrown
out.
From every window OF the white
houses which glare in the sun can be
seen the floods of lava which have so
often poured from the crater of the
monster and forced their way down
TO the sea, burning and burying every
thing in their track. Yet the peasants
continue working in the vineyards
within a few yards OF the significant
streams. producing that popular wine
with the blasphemous name, Lacrima
Christi Oears of CHRISTI The lava
is intensely fertile. which is one rea-
son for the Indifference to the danger.
The material thrown out from the
| bowels OF the earth Is composed of
elements especially adapted for grow
ing of grapes. But the volcanic soil
IS equally productive of other crops.
The greatest security, however. is
assured by San Gennaro. the patron
/ saint OF Naples. who has repeatedly
averted earthquakes and relieved the
anxiety of the frightened people. the
remains of this saint repose in one
of the churches. where there is also
a crystal vial containing quantity
OF his blood. Upon certain anniver-
saries the priests take this crystal
from the depository. The sacred relic
is first conducted at the head of
! procession to different sections of the
city. in order that as many people as
| possible may share In the alteration.
At the end of the march high mass
is celebrated by the bishop or arch
bishop or some prelate OF distin-
guished rank, while the crystal vase
stands upon the altar.
An image or picture of San Gennaro
is to be found in every cottage on the
volcano, within reach Of the danger,
and pious peasants will tell you how
| often the good saint has averted from
their vineyards torrents of fire, which
had crawled to a point where 1t
seemed that not even divine power
could avert destruction. So great is
this faith that the thousands of peo-
pie continue to live conscious of Sc
curity upon the ground where thou
| sands before them nave perished. Ii
is true that there has been no great
loss of life of recent years, but Pom
peii and Herculaneum were entirely
destroyed. and 5000, 1000 and 1000 peo-
pie have lost their lives on three differ
ent occasions within the last two cen
turtles. The eruption of 1894 was the
last in which many lives were sacri-
feed, although in 1872 20 people were
killed by their own folly, being led
TO curiosity too near the point of dan
ger.
Pompeii and Hercuaneum were de-
stroyed on the 24th of August in the
year 20, when the country was devas-
tated far and wide and buried under
showers of ashes and vast streams of
lava. 1t was then that the present
cone of the mountain was formed.
Previously it was a low ridge, not
more than 2000 feet in height. Now
the peak extends nearly 4500 feet
above the sea and has increased from
5000 feet since 1S45 and from 1855
feet since 1869. 1t is gradually grow
ing. although with every eruption a
few feet of the crater is usually
knocked off. Last fall the height was
reduced PAP feet.
The great naturalist. Piiny, who was
also a naval officer, was in command
of the fleet in the harbor of Naples
during the eruption Of 10, and lost
his life. His nephew. the younger
Pliny, gives a vivid description of tho
catastrophe in a letter to Tacitus, the
historian-how the earth was shaken
by internal convulsions and the day
| turned into night, the extraordinary
agitation of the sea, the dense clouds
overhanging land and sea and broken
by incessant flashes Of lightning and
terrific laundering; the terrible floods
of fire and ashes, and the terror of the
people, who believed that the end OF
| the world had arrived.
About once in 20 years these phe-
nomena reappear. although none has
since been so destructive. Near the