A LOST ART, OR THE POTTER OF i'OMPKIA. 439 



that I am mocked by the outward means of comfort, just when I am 

 robbed of the outward power to feel it ? Rejoice, ye who can,, for 

 awhile ; I tell ye that your doom is nigh !' And the magistrate, being a 

 wise man, put up the stones, and was satisfied. Others followed ; to 

 all, though with despiteful words, did Caius throw diamonds in such 

 heaps, that we knew his found treasure to be without end ; yet feared 

 that, if we imprisoned him, it might cease. So the magistrates now 

 executed justice at his word, even on some offenders among the great 

 ones of our city, because he was greater than all ; though scarce any 

 could be called poor, so vast was the bounty of the potter. He did 

 good to the afflicted, and the Israelites bowed before him ; yet, though 

 he had a house built on the site of his shed, he feasted none, took no 

 one to wife, albeit our women much courted him ; but wore plain 

 apparel, hiding himself in a part of his garden overgrown with briars, 

 as if to study, in what sort his servant trembleth to guess, as, listening 

 without, he often hears a low whispering sound, and, being a man chosen 

 for his trustworthiness, would doubtless tell more, if more he knew ; for 

 having little to do, and much'to spend, it is natural that the fellow 

 should oft leave so dull a place, and talk with any who will hear. But 

 the greatest wonder is, that, whether Caius had long secretly practised 

 with the clay in which he worked, or is all at once gifted with the power, 

 Pompeia is now adorned by his hand with likenesses in stone of flowers, 

 fruit, and animals. Among men he giveth but the images of the dead ; 

 as if themselves, asleep, pale, but not white ; with ringlets and habits 

 coloured as when they lived. No eye hath looked on him while he 

 wrought these things. Even those for whom he hath done them, know 

 not how ; or, if they do, bless him, and are silent. Truly, though these 

 be days of strange doctrines and new superstitions, it may not be well to 

 meddle with the consciences of rich men, at least till they have made us 

 rich as themselves. But for me no longer one of repute in mine 

 own land, compared with this my rival, shall I owe him an equality 

 with himself and not hate ? while of Junia I know no more, and feel 

 that my townsmen will soon be willing to aid me, so curious grow they 

 to learn how got he the hoards he parteth among them. No ! I purpose 

 to possess my master (whose hair may the Furies pull out of curl !) with 

 these facts, and work my will upon the potter, in the emperor's 

 name !" 



Such were the rumours which spread over Italy, and, fortunately for 

 my purpose, were preserved by the sensation which the fall of Pompeia 

 created. These traditions slept, but to awaken refreshed, by the disco- 

 veries of our last century. It was then that our exploring party, passing 

 through a strange house, came to a mound of ashes in its garden. After 

 some digging, they reached a tangle of crushed and withered branches : 

 this also they removed, till they found some, still verdant, which resisted 

 their axes. These were twined into a circular bower, and must have 

 met over head, till crushed by the lava and cinders. No eye could 

 penetrate the interior. On one side was a wicket, of the same material, 

 but securely fastened ; without it lay some human bones, and a sword, 

 such as worn by the Roman soldiers. At last this wicker-work so indu- 

 rated that it broke like stone, gave way, and they beheld a sparry grot, 

 with its exquisitely-shaped bath, into which water must once have fallen 

 from the rock, and thence flowed over a wide chasm beside it, now nearly 

 choked with dust. In that marble cradle reclined a female figure, of 



