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Suicide at Vesuvius.

A Frenchman, M. Louis Gauteret, of Clisson, du département de la Loire Inferieure, arrived, and stayed, at the Hermitage three days, and, like other visitors, he explored Vesuvius, and watched the rising, and the setting, sun. He wrote several letters, some to his family, some in the book; he appeared tranquil and easy, and when he had done all he proposed, he took his guide with him, to the fiery pit, and jumped into it!

The unfortunate attendant might have suffered much on suspicion only, but a letter of M. Gauteret was found declaring this act to have been his fixed resolve.

The Police have cut out of the book every explanation that he had left, and all that he had there addressed to every reader. There is a slight account, and confirmation, of the catastrophe by an Englishman who was present, the same day ; signed George Hare, Firfield, Bristol.

Pompeii.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

POMPEII-BARRACKS, OR MARKET-PLACE. THE ODEON, AND THE THEATRE OF TRAGEDY-TEMPLE OF ISIS, AND RELICS —AMPHITHEATRE-VARIOUS SHOPS-HOUSES AND VILLAS -ROMAN FEASTING—ITHYPHALLIC RITES-FORUM-TEMPLES BASILICA POMPEIANA — PIAZZA OF EUMACHIA VILLA OF DIOMEDES, AND SKELETONS-POST-HOUSE—TOMĖS -RELICS IN THE MUSEUM-CULINARY-EATABLE-ORNA◄

MENTAL, SACRIFICIAL, &c. &c.. GLASS-THE PAPYRIPICTURES, AND SCULPTURES, IN THE MUSEO BORBONICO.

POMPEII.-Some seven days since we explored Pompeii, and of this unique, and most interesting, city, probably founded by Hercules, let me now endeavour to give some account.

It is situated about 13 miles from Naples; is. founded upon strata of lava, and the road to it passes through Portici, Resina, and Torre del Greco; through towns all well known in the sad records of volcanic devastation, and by a path where the carriage rumbles over the subterraneous Herculaneum.

I have already noticed that Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption of Vesuvius on 24th August of the year 79, in the reign of Titus; and by showers of hot cinders, which being ejected from the crater at a distance of eight miles, fell, comparatively, lightly, and in some places not more than eight feet deep.

According to Seneca, Pompeii had been very much injured by an earthquake, in the ninth year of the reign of Nero; 16 years previously to the great eruption.

Nevertheless, thus it laid buried, and undiscovered, for so many centuries, and the present excavations, and almost complete exploration, are the results of only the last 70 years; having been begun by Charles III. father of the reigning king.

On alighting from our carriage, a Government Cicerone proceeded to guide us. The present Ferdinand is exceedingly jealous of this jewel in his crown; he is occasionally present to inspect the daily progress of excavation, and all the guides here may be relied upon as sufficiently conversant with the subject, and as duly authorized by the government.

The exterior walls of Pompeii are little more than three miles in circumference, and include five gates of entrance.

The first steps we took brought us into a spacious court. Of the portico that once entirely surrounded it there remain but some of the Doric pillars. On the ground floor is a series of small rooms, about fifteen feet square, running completely round it;-above these was a second range of rooms, and a sort of open balcony.

Though nothing remain of this upper story, yet there are sufficient indications of the complete design, and form of the whole building, and part of

Forum of Pompeii.

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the ancient balcony, or gallery, has been replaced by an exact modern copy. Owing to the discovery of some military relics, some rudely scrawled names, and bones of horses, certain scratches, and scribblings, on the walls, and of some skeletons, presumed to be those of culprits, their feet being confined to iron stocks; this court has been hitherto considered as the former barracks, or quarters, of a Roman Legion; but subsequent, and more accurate investigations rather induce a belief that it was a Public Market-place, a Forum Nundinarium; or Forum Venale; perhaps a Prætorium, or Court of Justice for the Prætor, or Mayor-that the lower rooms were magazines; the upper ones, the chambers for the merchants and sellers, shops, &c.-the open space the grand place for exposing all the commodities; and the room where the incarcerated skeletons were found, the Prison.

Near to this Forum are two Theatres. First, a smaller one appropriated to Comedy, Music, and Mimicry; also to the reading of Lectures, and Poetry. This theatre was roofed, and answers, in some respects, to the Greek Odeon. The marble pavement is admirably entire, and this inscription runs in a right line with the stage.

*Implying Marcus Oculatius Verus, son of Marcus; one of the Duumviri, or Magistrates, whose province it was to superintend, order, and control, public theatres and games.

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Theatres of Pompeii.

In this theatre are distinctly seen the Orchestra, the Scene, and Proscenium, with their respective doors of entrance; and in the body of the theatre, and the wide range of steps upon steps, are to be traced the various partitions, and distinctions, of seats for the different orders of the Roman people; the Consular Seats; the lower ranks for the more honourable; the higher for the women; the highest for the mob: Hence, probably, the saying of Seneca, in allusion to the Roman mob, or "Gods of Covent Garden,"-" ad summam caveam spectare." The issue of the tickets was confided to the Duumviri; and some are still remaining on which, according to the degree in life of the party, is marked the exact place he was to take in the theatre.

From hence we passed to the larger theatre, dedicated to Tragedy, always left unroofed, but, occasionally, in wet, or hot, weather covered with a coarse canvas, removable at pleasure.

It is to be remembered that the plays of the ancients were always acted in the light of day, not having any idea of our nocturnal exhibitions, aided by the scenic effect of lamps, torches, illuminations, &c. Near to the orchestra was found a Curule Chair, perhaps the seat of honour for the Prætor, or one of the Duumviri. In Rome a similar seat

* To look up to the highest row.