Note 7 — HUNTING A HOME IN BRAZIL.

I am indebted to Captain E. A. Lie, the intelligent master of the vessel in which my return passage was made, for some interesting particulars in regard to Pompeii, which he visited in 1857. His statement is as follows:

“The mass of volcanic matter which overlies the site of the former city of Pompeii is principally ashes, and on the borders has undergone such changes, that fields are in cultivation upon the spot.

“The explorations are entirely under the directions of the Imperial Government, and a guard is kept constantly over the place, so as to prevent any one from appropriating articles that may be discovered by those engaged in the work.

“The streets are so contracted that even the narrow vehicles of that period were unable to pass each other, and hence some of the thoroughfares are supposed to have afforded passage in one direction, while others were passed in the opposite direction. The deep cuts in the stone paving of the streets indicate that there was much passing of carriages or carts for a long period.

“Connecting with the side-walks there are stones elevated above the general level of the streets, upon which persons might step and avoid water that was flowing in the street. There are no signs of drains or sewers to be seen, nor of aqueducts.

“Those bodies remaining in the houses at the time of this wholesale burial are completely petrified, and black as ebony, a number of which are preserved in all their perfection of form. There are also petrified specimens of fruits, of bread, even with the baker’s name imprinted on it; of beef, of pork, and of various viands that were ready for eating.

“A large number of precious stones have been recovered, and among them an immense convex emerald, of great value, which was discovered in a tomb, supposed to contain the body of some very important dignitary. Many rich treasures have been found in the cemetery, evidently lodged with the dead in their last resting-place.

“There are evidences of much taste in the architectural department, and specimens of very elaborate workmanship have been discovered. The amphitheatre was evidently a grand structure, and with the base below the general surface of the earth, it is arranged with ascending rows of stone seats for the accommodation of a large assemblage. All the buildings are of stone.

“There is an extensive museum at Naples, which contains all the varieties from this reservoir of antiquarian relics; and to make the tour of this establishment, with a proper examination of these articles, and others of interest collected there, requires two weeks of unremitting observation.”