Connecticut western news., 1910-08-11
Part II. ] Rome, Italy, June 8, 1910.

} Rome, ICaly, June 0, lSlO.
 Aboard U. s. s. New York.
 We left our ship Tuesday, June 2, at a. m. for Pompeii. As we stepped ashore from our small boat, we were at once surrounded by at least hundred men and boys of all ages, all wishing a job as guide. As was already acquaint- ed with one guide, I made my way through the crowds and at last succeed ed in reaching him. This was the same guide who took the party of us to Rome, and l highly recommend him as guide for any one. We formed a party of if teen. and started in cabs for the station. On arriving, noticed they were not all there; eight were missing. Our train left at 9 o'clock, and it was nearly that when we arrived, so could not wait for the others. ..- ..|...
 We thought they had been led to some other place by the. cabman. Our tick cts were purchased for seven and we were soon on our way to the city of the dead. One gets fine chance to view the surrounding country as the trains between the points are very slow. Be- fore reaching the station at Pompeii one notices on either side great bodies of lava, this being the path of the last eruption, that of 1906. We arrived at Pompeii at S:15, and purchasing our tickets for ad- mission to the city, we descended long flight of steps and were then upon one of the old Roman roads. Here can be seen the depth of the ashes which bur jed Pompeii.
 Our limit of staying was very short, so we were taken only to the principal points. The streets, bordered by pave ment, are straight and narrow. seldom more than 24 feet in width. the narrower lanes being only IA feet wide. They are admirably paved with large, polygonal blocks of lava. At intervals, especially at the corners, are placed high stepping stones leading from one sideof the pave ment to the other, intended for the con- venience of foot passengers in rainy weather, also to prevent furious driving. The horses would be obliged to slow down, and pass over one of the high ob- long stones, or else pass between two of them, and thus pulling the wagon over them, the latter being very uncomforta- bls for the driver. The wagons Ewere about 411S feet wide and have left deep ruts in the causeways ..#..-
 Along the streets are many public fountains, decorated with the head of 8 god, a mask, or similar ornament. Here the people came for their drinking water and on the edges of the fountains can be seen hollows worn out, where their hands rested while drinking These fountains are all connected by 8 lead pipe, and the faucets used were very similar to the modern types. In the streets are frequently seen notices paint ed in red letters corresponding to our modern posters OF billboards. The houses were slightly built of concrete, brick, or brick-shaped stones, and sometimes, par ticularly the facades, doorposts, or com mon pillars are of blocks of stone. The busiest streets may be identified by means of the shops, which were let to merchants and storekeepsrs in the same way as the ground floors of the Palazzi in Naples are occupied by shops at the present day, The great number of these shops affords proof of the importance of the retail traffic at Pompeii. Where there are no shops the streets are very monotonous.
 The absence of glass windows, which even during the last days of Pompeii, were employed to 8 limited extent only, forms one of the chief differences be- tween an ancient and a modern dwell ing. The ancients, therefore, must have concentrated their domestic life in the interior of their houses, which present to the street blank wall with few small openings, and these covered with an iron grating. The dwelling-houses of Pompeii vary greatly in size. and have obviously been very differently fit- ted up, in accordance with the nature of the situation or the means and tastes of their owners.
 Most of the houses of the wealthy class are entered from the street by a narrow passage sometimes preceded by vestibule, and leading to the large court, which is surrounded by covered 
 passage, with the reservoir for rain water in the center. The roof sloped in- ward and had a rectangular opening in the center, which afforded air and light to the court and the adjoining rooms. Taking our first side street to the right, we came to the house of the Golden Cupids. This was discovered in 1895. and is at present the finest house in Pompeii. From the Abrium one goes