Evening star., 1914-06-01
NAPLES TWILIGHT
WONDERFUL HOUR
Pink Glow Tints Island of
Capri. Boldly Visible Across
the Bay.
MlSTS ARE CLEARED FROM
SIDES OF GREAT VOLCANO
Noises of Impetuous Neapolitan
Traffic Form Rude Contrast to
Peace Over Waters.
Stan Correspondence Of The star.

Stan Correspondence Of The star.
NAPLES, May 12-High above the
street. am sitting on "A rallied window
ledge about eighteen inches wide and
six feet long, just large enough for a
small chair But great or small, this
perch suffices to command most de-
lirhtful view. The sun is just setting
behind the promontory that stretches
out toward Ischia. A pink glow IS
tinting the Island of Capri. boldly
visible across the bay. The long head
land which forms the southern natural
breakwater of this most wonderful
harbor, with Sorrento glimmering near
the extremity, is beginning to turn
lavender, and in the mountain shadows
a purplish tone develops as the light
wanes.
Straight ahead of me as I sit 10
double-peaked Vesuvius, its sides per-
fectly clear of the mists that have en-
shrouded them since early morning.
From the cone pourS the never-endlng
column of steam, just now somewhat
mushroomed in the calm air of evening
/ can see from time to time the Jets
rising from the outer edges OF the
great vent, to join the immense cloud
like mass above. North and south. ike
a transfixing shaft, darker toned layer
of vapor has drifted, spreading Tar be-
ma on the northeast and over.to Mount
ST, Angelo on the Sorrento peninsula.
Tells of Latent Power.
There is no menace in this aspect OF
the monster that has so often eXacted
it's toll of life and destroyed SO vast
q sum in man-made values. 1t betokens
the immeasurable force of nature and
tells of latent power for evil, nut
viewed from here it seems only sham
volcano, something pyrotechnic for
fiesta, and not doing very we'll at that.
The knowledge that it is Nesuvius and
that it still possesses a potency LOT
unlimited evil greatly aids the mind IN
picturing it treacherously qu1es
creature. likely at any time to demand
a sacrifice.
Lately much anxiety has been felt here
regarding Vesuvius. few months ago
1t began to show marked signs OF re-
newed activity. and when young Eng
lishman descended into the crater TO
take motion pictures he reported re-
markable condition, indicative of maleVo-
lent energy. But the dreaded eruption
has not occurred. and now it is Etna
that has Contributed afresh to. the seis-
mic records. by causing an earthquake
that has destroyed several Sicilian vii
lagos and taken scores of lives Mean
while Vesuvius pours out its usual vol
ume of steam, and presents the picture
i
familiar menace of possible devastation.
Capri Fades From Sight.
The light is passing. Capri has al
most gone from sight and the glow has
faded from the Vesuvius steam, which
has for some minutes been shading
through the most elusive tones of fire
opal. The transfixing spear of darker
vapor has melted The bay is as smooth
as ballroom L.oor, dotted with boats.
wflite-winged fishermen returning from
their days adventure with the nets, tiny
motor boats. rowboats. couple OF
Out there on the bay 1t is quiet and
peaceful. Not so, here on shore In the
street below me rushes the impetuous
Neapolitan trafhc, with much cracking
of whips and shouting by drivers IN
warning and expostulation. The wheels
clafter over the solid square-stone pave
ment with a great din Every rev sec
onds a motor car dashes by, the chau1-
fer reveling in the absence of speed
limit Along the tramway tracks which
border the bayside park. styled the VITA
Eazionale," rush automobiles, crowded
with men and women. making peflous
passage at rapid rate through the
heavy current of travel which crowos
even this broad thoroughfare.
In Place of Cars.
1t would seem that the Neapolitans
we're universal joy riders. to watch these
scorching, throb bing motors man
stands on the step between the mud
guards clinging tightly as the machine
plunges over the stones, when forced by
conditions to leave the car tracks. Occa-
sionally the motor haIts and passenger
aHRhta Then the mystery Of these
speeding, crowded autos is dispelled and
the reason for the unused car tracks ap-
pears. These motors. it is plain, are
running in lieu of the trains. which have
suspended service
Now comes recollection of a forgotten
news dispatch read with the aid of the
vestpocket dictionary while in Rome. to
the effect that the Neapolitan street car
lines were tied up in consequence of a
strike. Clear enough now appears the
phenomenon. observed in the course of a
stroll last evening after dinner, of a
large assemblage of automobiles of all
styles in the Piazza San Ferdinando.
near the royal palace, which seemed to
be the standing place of numerous speed
ing parties.
Expect to Run Again.
steal few minutes of this precious
To ho. IL