^0 Mr Forbes's Physical Notices of the Bay of Naples. 



it would be bold to give an opinion ; but till the formation of 

 Murat's new road, it formed the only communication between 

 Naples and Pozzuoli and its neighbourhood, and is still the 

 shortest. At the end next Naples, raised far above the road, 

 by its subsequent reduction of level, stands the sepulchral mo- 

 nument dedicated by the voice of tradition, and by the opi- 

 nion of most modern literati to the shade of Virgil. I dare 

 only mention its existence, for to enter on the proofs of its au- 

 thenticity even in the slightest degree would carry me too far 

 from the object of these pages. * 



Following up the ridge of Pausilipo further from the sea, 

 we find it divide into two circular sweeps, one of which forms 

 the theatrical back-ground upon which part of the town of 

 Naples stands, and is surrounded by the Castle of St Elmo, 

 while the other, stretching westward, terminates in the hill 

 on which stands the Convent of the Camaldoli di Napoli, 

 which, by a barometrical measurement by Saussure is 1419.5 

 French feet above the sea, equal to 1513.0 English, which is 

 the highest point to which the tufaceous formation rises in this 

 neighbourhood. The ride from Naples is truly delightful, 

 the ascent of the hill being gradual when we keep the 

 summit of the ridge, which is abundantly clothed with olive, 

 ilex, and copse-wood of the chestnut, which is grown here 

 for fire- wood. When we reach the summit, all labour taken 

 in the ascent is amply repaid by the surprising extent and 

 interest of the prospect; for here we find ourselves in the 

 midst of the Phlegraean fields, which, from the height of 

 the eye, lie pictured below us in all their true relations, 



• In connection with these remarks on the Grotto of Pausilipo, I can- 

 not help mentioning a discovery which is said to have been made in the 

 part of the hill which I described as descending very rapidly a short way 

 from the sea, and near the Island of Nisida. On the left hand of the road 

 where the hill is abrupt, the opening of a passage into it is observed. 

 This was explored a few years ago, and is little higher and broader than a 

 man. The party, headed by a man of rank at Naples, penetrated a long 

 way with torches, till they came to a chamber containing a fine spring of 

 water, and seats in the rock, with bones of large animals strewed about. 

 They explored the remainder of the passage for a long way, and at last 

 came out at the other side of the hill. This I learned from a Neapolitan, 

 who said he had been of the party ; but I cannot vouch for its accuracy. 



