5. The guide took us through several other long passages, dug across and around it, showing us the orchestra, the stage, the numerous entrances, and the bases of several statues, which have been taken to the museum of Naples.

6. In order to get to Pompeii, which is much more interesting, we ascended to daylight, and drove on. We coasted along the curve of the bay, with a succession of villas and gardens between us and the beach. Vesuvius rises gradually on the left, the crater being at a distance of five miles. The road crossed a bed of dry lava, which extends to the sea, in a broad black mass of cinders, giving the country the most desolate aspect.

7. Another half-hour brought us to a long high bank of earth and ashes, thrown out from the excavations, and passing on, we stopped at the gate of Pompeii. A guide met us and we entered. We found ourselves in the ruins of a public square surrounded with small low columns of red marble. On our right were several small prisons, in one of which was found the skeleton of a man with his feet in iron stocks. The cell was very small, and the poor fellow must have been suffocated, without even a hope of escape.

8. The columns just in front were scratched with ancient names, possibly those of the guard stationed at the door of the prison. There were several advertisements of gladiators on the pillars, and it appears that at the time of the eruption the inhabitants of Pompeii were principally assembled in the great amphitheatre at a show.

9. We left the square, and, visiting several small private houses near it, passed into a street with a slight ascent, the pavement of which was worn deep with carriage wheels. We mounted thence to higher ground, the part of the city not excavated.

10. A peasant's hut and a large vineyard stand high above the ruins, and from the door the whole city and neighbourhood are seen to advantage. The effect of the scene is strange beyond description.

11. Columns, painted walls, wheel-worn streets, amphitheatres, palaces, all as lonely and deserted as the grave, stand around you, and behind is a poor cottage, and a vineyard just putting forth its buds-beyond, the broad, blue, familiar bay, covered with steamboats and sails, and populous modern Naples in the distance, a scene as strangely mingled, perhaps, as any to be found in the world.

12. We next visited the small temple of Isis, a building in excellent preservation. The largest of the apartments in it was probably the refectory, and here was found a human skeleton near the table, upon which lay dinner utensils, chicken bones, bones of fish, bread and wine, and a faded garland of flowers. In the kitchen, which we next visited, were found cooking utensils, remains of food, and the skeleton of a man leaning against the wall, with an axe in his hand, and near him a considerable hole, which he had evidently cut to make his escape, when the door was stopped with cinders.

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13. The next object of our visit was triangular Forum.1 Here, were found several skeletons, one of which was that of a man, who had loaded himself with plunder. Gold and silver coins, cups, spoons, rings, buckles, and other things were found near him. Here was also discovered the skeleton of a lady, and on her arms were two beautiful bracelets of gold.

14. In a small street near, the guide led us to a shop decorated with pictures of fish, and furnished with a stove, marble dressers, and earthen jars, supposed to have belonged to a vendor of fish and olives. A little farther on was a baker's shop, with a well-used oven, in which was found a batch of bread burnt to a cinder.

15. I have seen nothing in my life so remarkable as this disentombed city. I have passed over many things which were well worth noting, but the description would have grown into a long catalogue.

1. Forum.-Market-place.

N. P. Willis.

The two cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were destroyed by a terrible eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D.

1. Night is the time for rest;

How sweet, when labours close,

To gather round an aching breast

The curtain of repose;

Stretch the tired limbs and lay the head

Upon our own delightful bed!

2. Night is the time for dreams ;

The gay romance of life;

When truth that is and truth that seems

Blend in fantastic strife;

Ah! visions less beguiling far

Than waking dreams by daylight are!