The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-07-20
VESUVIUS TO-DAY
Perfectly Quiet After the Eruption of April

There are many interesting excur-
sions from Naples. The city is stu
ated in historic locality. Perhaps
Vesuvius attracts as much attention
though not so many visitors as some
other places in the vicinity of Naples.
But that historic volcano has been in
such an ugly mood of late that tourists
desire to come in very close proximity
to it. Most tourists, this season are
content to behold it at a safe distance
and leave it serenely alone.
Your first impression on seeing YES
uvius is somewhat of a disappointment.
We are accustomed to think that it is a
solitary peak rising out of the plain
east of Naples. Indeed, so unimposing
did Vesuvius appear from our ship as
we neared the harbor OF Naples that
many of the passengers could hardly
be persuaded of the identity of the VOL
cano thinking that it was only one of
the many mountains which lie to the
east of the bay of Naples.
Vesuvius has companion peak in
Monte Summa which lies to the north
east of the volcano and is separated
from it by chescent shaped valley,
Atrio del Cavallo. This mountain,
which is about $500 feet high, is said
to have been formed by the action of
Vesuvius in the past ages. The con-
satan eruption has built up this addi-
tional peak.
Vesuvius itself rises out of the plain
Of the Champagne near the sea and
reaches height usually, of 1000 feet
Mt OF or
the recent eruption of the volcano, it is
p ak having been blown off or fallen
in. So now it does not appear much
higher than some of the peaks of the
spur of the Apprentices to the south of it
near the sea in the direction of Serren-
tC.
The sides of Vesuvius hitherto have
been covered over with furnishing vine
yards and seen at distance the slopes
OF the mountain even to the top appear
ed entirely clad in verdure. But many
OF these fine vineyards have been en-
tirely overwhelmed and buried by the
fresh lava. Still the destruction
wrought by the recent eruption is by
no means SO extensive as first general
ly was supposed. The destruction of
course, is great and a vast area of the
mountain side toward the sea lies deep
under fresh lava. But very much of
the surface lies untouched by lava and
many OF the fine vineyards are still
fourishing. At least-so it appeared
to the writer viewing it from the Royal
Observatory in the city of Naples.
is an iteresting study to trace
with the eye the various courses of the
lava In the recent eruption, and on the
sides of the volcano toward Naples and
the bay. Everything above the govern
ment observatory in which the scien-
lists were SO seriously threatened with
destruction appears to have been COM
pletely submerged. But at this point.
fortunately, the lava streams separated
leaving the observatory unsubmerged,
though of course doing more or less
damage to the building. To one unac-
quainted with the topography of that
region, it seems little short of an act
of Providence that the lava streams
should have divided at this point
which appears to be hardly half way
up the mountain and flowed round thus
sparing the observatory and the lives
OF the daring devoted scientists sta
toned there. The world was thrilled
by the story OF these brave men who,
like the Roman sentinel of old at the
destruction Of Pompeii by this same
Vesuvius stood at his post even in the
midst Of the impending death which
mOmentarily threatened him.
1t is sad, indeed to behold the recent
destruction wantOnly wrought by Ves-
uvius. Fortunately the loss of lifewas
small; but the loss of property espec-
tally in the shape of vineyards must
have been very great. Moreover, a
number of buildings were destroyed in
the villages on the slopes of the noun
tain toward the town of Tore del Freco
and Tore del Annungiata.
The country round about the base of
Vesuvius toward the sea is very fertile
and thickly settled There is success
sion Of towns along the electric road
from Naples to Pontice the modern city
built upon the site Of ancient Hercula-
neum, and 1t appears like one continu-
GUS city. Farther up the slope toward
Vesuvius and beyond these towns are
numerous villages and hamlets. 1t
was these villages and hamlets that
suffered especially in the last eruption
OF the volcano. Many of the farmers
and peasants had their homes and
farms entirely ruined, the people them
selves barely escaping with their lives.
The red hot lava came rolling down