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THE

YOUTHS' MAGAZINE;

OR,

EVANGELICAL MISCELLANY.

SEPTEMBER, 1846.

NEW DISCOVERIES AT POMPEII.

NOTWITHSTANDING the interesting discoveries so amply recorded by our travellers and antiquaries, it appears that there are many features of interest, as yet undescribed, among the ruins of the ancient and ill-fated city of Pompeii. During the present year, even, several curious and important disclosures have taken place, not the least singular of which, are graphically brought before us in this spirited sketch of a recent visit to the spot, copied from the "Illustrated London News." It is dated, Naples, May, 18th 1846:

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"On the 14th inst., I made my tenth visit to Pompeii, accompanied by an old umbrella and a sketch-book, for purpose of illustrating your journal with a few of the latest and most interesting excavations of this ill-fated city. I left Naples at six o'clock in the morning, by the railroad, which passes by the modern entrance to Pompeii. As I alighted, and heard the convulsive grunt of the retiring train, I must confess to a little bit of poetic weakness-the classic Forum of a city buried, in all its native truth, nearly two thousand years since, greeted my vision, whilst my ears were saluted by our most marvellous of modern wonders-the steam-engine!

"The immediate cause of the recent excavations were the

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visits of the seventh scientific congress of Italy, and those of the Emperor and Empress of Russia. The result of the former was the uncovering of a house near the street of the wine-shops, which was evidently the dwelling of a rich citizen-it has all the convenience of a superior Roman dwelling.

"Our illustration is The house of the hunter,' finally cleared in February last. This is a very interesting dwelling, and possesses some novel features. It was, in all probability, the house of a man of wealth, fond of the chase. A painting on the right occupies one side of the large room. Here are represented wild animals — the lion chasing a bull, &c. The upper portion of the house is elevated, where stands a gaily-painted column-red and yellow in festoons; behind which, and over a doorway, is a fresco painting of a summer-house; it may be a representation of some country retreat of the proprietor's. On either side are hunting horns. Passing through this doorway, you arrive at a square-built room in excellent preservation. The most beautiful painting in this apartment represents a Vulcan at his forge, assisted by three dusky naked figures. This is a fine composition. The Vulcan is Herculean, and drawn with great boldness and power. In the niche of the outer room a small statue was found in terracotta. The architecture and paintings of this house were evidently the caprice of its owner; it is singularly rich in decorations, which differ from those executed by artists when left to their own fancy; the colors are very bright and vivid, particularly those of the birds and vases immediately facing the entrance.

"The house excavated on the occasion of his Russian Majesty's visit, does not present any peculiar features, and I was unable to gather information about the bronzes and amphoræ found therein. I believe nothing singular or rare was discovered.

"I had scarcely finished my sketch when I heard the rattle of advancing carriages. On my arrival in the street of Fortune, I found a committee of gentlemen had just alighted from their Hackney coaches in the middle of the Forum! They were the appointed inspectors of excavation. I joined them as we proceeded towards the nameless street running into that of the theatres. Operations were here commenced, when one of the workmen exclaimed, 'Bones and money!' 'Clear the way!' shouted half a dozen excited antiquaries, as they rushed into a small apartment. Here were the bones of three skeletons very perfect; and near the hand of a young male, were found thirty-seven pieces of silver, and two gold coins; some of the former were attached to the handle of a key. I examined the money, and found the silver to be Vespasians, and some family coins. The two gold pieces were

Domitians; both in good order, and one having an interesting reverse. The unhappy beings who here perished may have been the inmates of the dwelling; or, what is not improbable, thieves who had profited by the excitement of the terrific hours, and here concealed themselves with their ill-gotten wealth. We know from Pliny that the young and active had plenty of time for escape. Some peculiar motive must have delayed flight-hence the comparatively few skeletons found at Pompeii.

"We next directed our steps to the spot partially excavated for the Empress of Russia. Here a curious portable kitchen was found. This singular contrivance is made of iron. The upper portion is formed by two circular holes for boiling pots. The tabular surface was occupied with fire so as to enable other instruments of the kitchen to receive the heat which was applied to the elevated portion. A handle in the front suggests its portable in

tention.

"With this event ended one of the most pleasing days at

Pompeii I ever remember; in fact, nothing so interesting has been disinterred for many months.

"The hot blaze of day was now deepening into night, and that sunshine which had given me so much beautiful light and shade disappeared. I returned to the railroad with two Italian artists, now employed in restoring the house of the tragic poet to its original glory. I am glad of this, for no descriptions or drawings can ever give one so good an idea of a Roman interior as will here present itself when completed.

"Tshuc! tshuc !-a horrid scream! -we are off for Naples: the old world is forgotten: I am once again in the howl and hum of the noisiest city in Europe!"

E. W. B.

OUR LIVING LETTERS.

CHAP. IX.-SAUL AMONG THE

PROPHETS.

"I have heard you remark, my friends," said that reverend brother who had given us an account of John Hobbs, and his remarkable change of mind, "that you would rather have an old acquaintance brought forward again, than be introduced to a new one. Under this assurance, then," he added, “I am disposed to give you a few more particulars of the experience of that poor man, John Hobbs."

"Why call him poor? my brother," said Paternus; "Is not such language too much accommodated to the modes of speech of the children of this world, to be used in the present company? Is not even the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt?"

"I stand corrected," replied the speaker, returning the smile with which our venerable chairman had made his comment, “I will call my worthy blacksmith, 'poor' no more, leaving it to worldly men to apply the term to those blessed ones, whose real prosperity they are not in a condition to comprehend." He then at once opened his narrative.

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'It was some years" he said, "after the second visit to the

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