Interesting Finds in Pompeii.
“In entering Pompeii,” says a recent visitor, writing in Chambers’ Journal, “we descend a sloping path to the silent city, which stands between two enormous embankments of ashes, like a very deep railway cutting, and enter by the great gateway, with arches and pillars in perfect preservation. Through a small arch at the side, intended for foot passengers, we pass into the deserted streets; from the high, narrow footway we see the tracks of wheels on the paved street below; and the great stepping-stones are still there as in the days of old. Everywhere stand the remains of sculptured fountains—at the street corners, in every square. A number of converging streets lead into the Forum. Here are the perfect remains of beautiful temples, with their marble columns and altar, on which the inscriptions may still be read. On some are delicate carvings, representing sacrifice, in high relief, with every detail clear and sharp as when first chiseled. We go through the street of the soap-makers, and visit the large soap works, where the huge iron caldrons are still left. Another street is full of wine shops, with the huge iron caldrons still inserted in the marble counters. Then we pass the city bake-houses, where ovens were found full of charred bread, which is now in the Naples Museum, the baker’s name stamped upon each loaf. Close by are the splendid public baths, with every appliance for hot, cold, and vapor baths, the pipes and cisterns still remaining. Near the entrance gate is a small museum containing the skeletons found in the city—a mother and daughter clasped in each other’s arms, a sentinel found at his post, a man evidently knocked down by the cloud of ashes, and several others. Some of them have been injured by the process of excavation. When a skeleton is found, plaster of Paris is immediately poured into it, so that, while preserving the skeleton intact, it gives also, by filling up the impression or mould of the body that had lain there, the form and features of the living man. A large collection of surgical instruments greatly interested a celebrated physician who was one of our party, and who expressed unbounded surprise at the very slight difference between these relics of the infancy of medical science and the instruments in use at the present day. Some large cases of dentist’s tools caught our eye also. . . . A great number of paint-boxes are displayed, which still contain the same bright, soft colors that we see on the walls of Pompeii; and case after case of jewels, some found in the house, others evidently dropped in hurried flight from the burning city, or fallen from the necks and arms of the skeletons.” No SUBLIMER precept was ever uttered than that of Christ in his sermon on the mount, in which he enjoins upon his disciples to love their enemies. By the exercise of this love, and the practical effects which it produces, they are to demonstrate their divine relationship and their superiority to the world.—Sel.