36 MEMOIR OF PLINY. 



from Spain to pay him a visit, joined us ; and ob- 

 serving me sitting by my mother with a book in my 

 hand, greatly censured her patience, and at the 

 same time reproved me for my careless security ; ne- 

 vertheless I still went on with my author. Though 

 it was now morning, the light was exceedingly 

 faint and languid ; the buildings all around us tot- 

 tered ; and though we stood upon open ground, yet 

 as the place was narrow and confined, there was no 

 remaining without great and certain danger ; we 

 therefore resolved to quit the town. The people 

 followed us in the utmost consternation ; and as to a 

 mind distracted with terror every suggestion seems 

 more prudent than its own, they pressed in vast 

 crowds about us in our way out. Being got at a 

 convenient distance from the buildings, we stood 

 still in the midst of a most dangerous and dreadful 

 scene. The chariots which we had ordered to be 

 drawn out were so agitated backwards and forwards, 

 though upon the most level ground, that we could 

 not keep them steady, even by supporting them 

 with large stones. The sea appeared to roll back 

 upon itself, and to be driven from its banks by the 

 convulsive motion of the earth ; it is certain, at least, 

 the shore was considerably enlarged, and several sea 

 animals were left upon it. On the other side, a 

 black and dismal cloud bursting with an igneous ser- 

 pentine vapour, darted out a long train of fire, re- 

 sembling flashes of lightning, but much larger. Soon 

 afterwards it seemed to descend and cover the whole 



