diseases, (though part are no doubt impostures) for a great distance, and generally ac complish by this indomitable perseverance the object of their desires. Travellers are glad to free themselves from the uproar, at whatever

rate.

About twelve English miles from Naples stands Pompeii, certainly the most remarkable remnant of antiquity that now exists. So much has already been said respecting these ruins, and so much that is worthy of remembrance, that it may seem a work of mere supererogation to enter into a detailed account. The road has become so beaten, and has justly been a matter of such intense and minute curiosity, that we have scarcely an alternative in our power. be satiated: it must recur again and again, with augmented delight, to an object which plays so luxuriantly around the imagination, and seizes, in its powerful grasp, the best and most fascinating visions of the heart. For this reason, although it would be useless to describe systematically a place which a multitude of celebrated antiquaries have laboriously, and, for the most part, accurately dissected,

But the mind here will never

yet I cannot withstand the temptation of adverting in general terms to the impression which the sight of Pompeii made upon my feelings; and of endeavouring to interest the reader, not merely with the place itself, (for that interest he must long ago have experienced,) but with the pilgrimage of the humble individual who now ventures to obtrude on his attention.

It does not appear generally known, or, at least, it has not been generally noticed, that the honour of discovering these singular ruins is due to the proprietor of a vineyard which then stood on the spot. He was about to plant an additional number of vines on an unoccupied division of his farm; and the first blow of the mattock, while it repelled and impeded his efforts, stimulated curiosity, and at length gave birth to a town! This happened a little more than sixty years ago.

It is to be lamented, that the traveller now has not the advantage which was at first open to him. The paintings, the houshold utensils, the skeletons of those who were consumed in the bursting out of the mountain, are all removed. We see, indeed, the places they

occupied the impression of certain drinkingcups, the ruts of carriage-wheels, and the marks of a cord upon the margin of a well, nay, the very scrawls which the soldiers of a Roman legion made to amuse themselves during the hours of their watch; but that which would have given life to the inanimate and deathly stillness of the place,-which would have aided the excursions of imagination, and embodied the winged conceptions that dart through the obscurity of past time, and fix themselves in all the vivid colourings of truth-these are wanting. They have been removed to the museum at Naples: and though nothing assuredly can deprive them of the charms with which such high antiquity has encrusted them, it is easy to understand the loss occurring to the imagination, as well as pleasure to the heart. It has been alleged, that were they to retain their original situation, they would be purloined: and it has been said, on the other hand, that a guard of soldiers, whose time at present is occupied by gambling and debauchery, would easily secure the smaller antiquities of Pompeii from depredation. But this may be questioned the constant atten

tion requisite would speedily weary the inert Neapolitan; and a guard of Austrians could be but for a limited period. Besides, there would not be wanting those upon whom bribery has its effect; and thus would vanish in a moment what no event might hereafter replace. Moreover, the action of the air upon many of these frail relics, snatched, and barely snatched, from destruction, would operate materially. So that in a short time, that which the fire was unable totally to ruin, exposure to the elements would effect. Still there have been discoveries made here which would receive little injury, would be guarded with little risk, and add powerfully to the feeling with which we consider this remarkable depository of Roman magnificence. Let the drinkingglasses, which are liable to be broken, remain in their present custody; let the cameos, gems, and engraved stones, the wheat, barley, acorns, and grains of all descriptions, which have been found here, be preserved in Naples, together with whatever else may be considered fragile, whether from its nature or diminutive size; but surely the skeletons might have retained their post, ornamented with the least

valuable bracelets with which they were discovered the earthen amphoræ would have received no detriment, nor would many of the statues have been worse for standing as they were found. Part of the kitchen utensils, such as kettles, pipkins, baking-pans, frying-pans for eggs, &c. &c. might have been left; and out of 635 weights, measures, scales, steelyards, lamps, and chandeliers*, surely a few dozen might have been spared for public gratification, as they were originally disposed. To these might have been added, the original seats; and one particular room carefully locked up and examined through a glass case, or by express permission of the government in writing without this obstruction, containing the whole apparatus of a lady's toilette. In Pompeii were found, says the Abbe Romanelli, “bracelets of gold, ear-rings, necklaces, chains of gold, rings set with precious stones, gold and silver bodkins, galloons of real gold, tooth and ear-picks, scissars, needles, ivory spindles, and all manner of trinkets; nay, those very same

* "Il numero di detti oggetti ascende a quello di 635," says "La Guida per lo Real Museo Borbonico."