CHRONICLE. 



JANUARY. 



Napfes, Dec. 26. 

 VESTERDAY, at five in the 

 -*- evening, commenced one of 

 the most formidable eruptions of 

 which there is any record in the 

 history of Vesuvius. Happily, 

 though it presented a terrific spec- 

 tacle, it caused no great damage. 

 The explosion began by a shower 

 of volcanic gravel, which was fol- 

 lowed by a violent eruption of 

 lava. This ignited matter having 

 divided itself into two torrents, 

 flowed over the ancient lavas to- 

 wards the Torre del Greco. At ten 

 in the evening, the first torrent 

 stopped ; but the second continued 

 to proceed towards Bosco Reale 

 and Bosco-Tre-Case. 



This morning the apparent calm 

 of the volcano was followed by an 

 explosion, resembling a violent 

 discharge of cannon. A column of 

 volcanic ashes arose in tlie air, and 

 obscured the horizon. At the mo- 

 ment we are writing, the eruptions 

 still continue. Redoubled shocks 

 make the houses of the city shake, 

 but have as yet done no damage. 

 We do not know the direction of 

 the lava. 



The government has taken every 

 necessary measure to afford assist- 

 ance to those who may have need 

 of it. Yesterday the king sent one 

 of his equerries, to inform himself 

 of the state of things, and to-day 

 Vol. LVI. 



the monarch came out himself to 

 observe the eruption. When arrived 

 in the neighbourhood of the fiery 

 torrent, he spoke to every person 

 with that affability which charac- 

 terises him, and pointed out to 

 those who appeared terrified, that 

 the direction of the lava secured us 

 from any danger. 



P. S. — It is two o'clock; the 

 eruption appears to have entirely 

 ceased. 



Jan. 1. — A shocking murder oc- 

 curred at Camborne, Cornwall, 

 which was not discovered until late 

 the following day. James Rule, a 

 lunatic, who had been confined in 

 Camborne poor-house for several 

 years, found means to destroy a 

 female pauper who attended him, 

 and lived in the same apartment 

 where he was chained. It is sup- 

 posed that he strangled the poor 

 woman, as there was no blood 

 found about the room, nor any 

 noise heard during the night that 

 created alarm. A smoke was ob- 

 served in the house on Sunday 

 morning, and a bad smell, which at 

 length led. to a discovery. At four 

 in the afternoon his room was 

 broken into, and the lunatic was 

 found at large and alone. Upon 

 being questioned about the woman, 

 he said she was gone into Devon- 

 shire; but on examining the fire- 

 place, no doubt remained of his 

 having burnt the body, from the 

 smell and half consumed particles 



B 



