Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-18
OVER A VOLCANO.
$4,000 Persons in Peaceful
Homes Upon vesuvius.
The Faith Of the Simple Peasants in
San Gennaro.
The Historic Mountain and the Story
of Its Outbreaks.

The volcano VeSuviuS rises on the
mainland about fifteen miles from the
city of Naples and about five miles
from the coast. 1t is encircled by a
railway at the base, and up to the
height of 1900 feet is covered with
cities, villages, farmhouses and vine
yards. At least $4,000 people live in
the midst of continual danger, to
which they seem entirely Indifferent.
1t seems strange that a section ex-
posed to such constant peril should be
50 densely populated, and thousands
among those who brave it must have
witnessed the terrible destruction
from the disturbances of 1872. There
were eruptions in 1895 and in 1879
| which destroyed the roads but did no
other damage, although they were a
loud warming to all who occupy the
great amphitheater within the range
of volcanic catastrophe. Last May
the machinery of the railway that car
| ries 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 tho hIo cnhar1o,,c parr1a T.acrin1a
Christi Clears of CHRISTI. The lava is
intensely fertile, which is one reason
for the Indifference to the danger. The
material thrown out from the bowels
of the earth is composed OF elements
especially adapted for growing grapes.
But the volcanic soil is equally pro-
ductive of other crops.
The greatest security, however, is
assured by San Gennaro, the patron
saint Of Naples,f who has repeatedly
averted earthquakes and relieved the
anxiety of the heightened people. The
remains of this Saint repose in one of
the churches, where there is also
crystal vial containing a quantity of
his blood. Upon certain anniversaries
the priests take this crystal from the
and, in the presence of
thousands of people, as many as can
crowd into the church, miracle is
annually performed which indicates
whether danger is to be apprehended
during the coming year from the vol
cano and whether the crops are to be
good or bad. The sacred relic is first
conducted at the head of procession
to different sections of the city, in or
Ipr. That a rpcSihJo
may share in the alteration. At the
end of the march high mass is cele-
brated by the bishop or archbishop or
some prelate of distinguished rank,
while tire crystal vase stands upon
the altar. Then ct the close of the SER
vice comes the momentous test. The
bishop holds the sacred vessel with
both hands above his head, and if the
blood of the saint congeals no danger
need be expected and the crops will be
good. If the blood melts and grows
warm the people are frightened, and
WREN it boils, as it sometimes does,
they fall upon their knees with means
and walls of anguish and alarm and
entreat the intercession of the saints.
Frequently this boiling occurs, and
the result is similar to that of re-
ligious revival among Protestant COM
muniticS. Crime and vice are re-
pressed: the contributions collected at
the churches are larger, and the peo-
pie behave themselves in an eX-
cmplary manner until the danger is
over. in order to Conciliate the saint
for Sar Gennaro controls the volcano,
and no eruption can take place with
out his consent.
AS sort of an insurance certificate,
ar 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 how often
the good saint has averted from their
vineyards torrents of fire which had
crawcd to n point where it seemed
that not even divine power could avert
destruction. So great is this faith
| that the thousands of people continue
to live conscious of security upon the
| ground where thousands before them
| have persisted. 1t is true that there
| has been no great loss of life of recent
years, but rompei and HercuIaneum
We're entirely destroyed. and 3000 1000
and 2000 people have lost their lives on
three different occasions within the
last two centruies. The eruption of
1894 was the last in which many lives
We're sacrificed, although in 1872
twenty people were killed by their own
folly. being led by curiosity too near
the point of danger.
| Pompoii and Hereulaneum We're de-
| stroyCd on the 2ith of August in the year
-, when the country was devastated far
| and wide and buried under showers of
N hos - lfnnG ,.f
| then that the present cone of the noun
tain was formed. Previously it was "A
long low ridge not more than 2O00 feet In
height Now the peak extends nearly
1900 feet above the sea and has increased
from GOO feet since 1915 and from 1855 feet
since 1SG9. 1t is gradually growing, al