The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-18
house OF THE GOLDEN CUPvDs.
A Recent and Interesting Discovery In the
Buried city OF POmpeI.

IVY vs. "fp'h
The plan OF Prof. Waldstein for the ex-
cavation OF Herculaneum at international
expense has unfortunately failed owing to
the objections OF the Italian Government.
But II lie to be remembered that not all Of
Pompeii has yet been uncovered and that
excavations are now going on in that city
from which so nan treasures Of antiquity
have already been recovered. 1t is pos
sible that any day there may be heralded
the discovery Of some new treasure which
will either give a new sample Of ancient
art or q new key to ancient history and
Roman life since Pompeii was thoroughly
Romanized. Last year. says a writer
in the Springfield Republican. a remarkably
interesting discovery was made when the
so-called house Of the Golden Cupids was
uncovered.
N House OF the Golden Cupids, or
the New House. ia. as the guide will
tell you. the most recent excavation at
Pompeii and was opened in 1905. II men,
DRY is not at FAULT it is located In section
10 Of region six. near the corner where
the Vicolo Ill Mercurio intersects the
Strada Stabiane, and directly across the
street from the unexoavated region five
at he northeast corner Of the city. By
studying the crumbling bank left by the
workmen at this point the traveller readily
discerns the varicolored layers Of material
that spread a mantle over the Roman city
beginning with and subsequent to the
great eruption Of 70. That the excava-
ton Is a recent one is evident from the
fact that Baedeker Of 1904 makes no men
ton Of the New House," and a diliRent
search among books and periodicals APP
pearing since that year failed to bring 10
light m writings bearing upon il.
The New House does not differ mate
rally, save In size, perhaps, from the homes
covered. A few hours in the city permits
Of only a hurried inspection, and unless the
visitor is conscious OF the importance of
some particular excavation-as he was not
in this oase-description from memory is apt
TO err. Passing in from h street the yisi-
tor at once enters the peristyle, which has n
loggia running round its four sides. and
on which open doors leading TO tbe living
and sleeping rooms OF the house. A large
portion Of the peristyle is enclosed with a
growing there, as perhaps it did 2 1000 years
ago. Along the two sides Of the garden in
straight ines are several marble heads and
busts on pedestals; broken statues and
marbles, on the ground, and in the centre
a marble basin, probably the remains Of a
IDunIhAhs hp AOh AOkkLht 10 EcdCneu from
the peristy1e through the centre arch bv
means of four stone steps, or by two steps
from the side loggias, n it will be OBJ
served that suspended directly in the mid
die is a marble or plaster medallion fahked
by " masks. Beyond this are rooms
having remnants OF mosaic floors and wall
paintings In a fair state Of preservation
The golden cupids, from which the house
takes its name are in q room on the right
or east side Of the peristyle and are the most
carefully guarded treasures Of the New
House" The chamber had evidently been
used as a sleeping apartment-possibly for
o~hildren-and On three sides Of Il are inden-
tations OF perhaps ar inch in the plaster.
four or five inches in diameter, resembling n
ships portfolio. and are covered with elass.
AZ the pack Of each is a beautiful cupid In
gold leaf. Only one, however-that on the
left Of the ~entranoe-is In perfect condition.
The ono opposite is without It's lower half.
and the one at the end Of the room il slmost
totally destroyed. With the wall paintings.
traces Of which still remain, these mir
results OF some artists handlwork must
have delighted the eyes Of little Pompeiians
a. they sparkled In tho brilliant sunlight
before hat dark day 60 many centuries ago
whom the little Roman city was blotted out.
The iron gate leading to this room 10 always
looked, n only those accompanied by
recognized authorities on Pompeii, whose
standing gives them entry severywhere, are
permitted to enter.