94 



things bring some advantage with them, so this moun- 

 tain, by the sulphureous and nitrous particles with which 

 k manures the ground, and the heat of its subterrane- 

 ous passages, much, contributes to its common fertility. 

 And wherever these inflammable substances abound, it 

 is better they should have a vent than not. So experi- 

 ence shews, that this country has had fewer earthquakes, 

 and those less fatal in their effects, since the eruption of 

 the subterraneous matter, through the mouth of Vesuvi- 

 us. And the inhabitants are not much alarmed, at see- 

 ing the usual vernal explosions. 



The distance from Naples to the foot of Vesuvius, is 

 five Italian miles, from whence to the top is near three 

 miles further. It properly consists of two hills, though 

 only one of them emits fire and smoke. The valley be- 

 tween them is about a mile long, and extremely fertile. 

 The burning summit, which is the lowest of the two, 

 is eleven hundred fathoms above the surface of the sea. 

 From Resina, the ascent grows steeper, and many stones 

 are scattered about, as memorials of its former devasta- 

 tions. It is astonishing to think of the force, by which 

 such huge bulks or four or five hundred weight have 

 been thrown several miles from the hill. 



This being steep, and covered with black ashes, the 

 ascent is very difficult. From the mouth frequently is- 

 sues a flood of lava, or composition of sulphur, metals, 

 and minerals. This ejected matter lies still, one layer 

 above another, with large stones projecting above the sur- 

 face, which in their course along the tiery river, were stop* 

 ped by their inequalities, and hxingin the melted matter, 

 gradually hardened. These streams are not thrown up 

 from the mountain, like the stones, but pour down as 

 from an inclined vessel, proceeding, it seems, from 

 the whole cavity, which is then full of melted sub- 

 stances. 



About half way up the mountain (says Mr. Keysber) 

 we met with stones of above a hundred weight, glowing 

 hot, which when broken had exactly the appearance of 

 red hot iron. As we went on, we heard a most horrid 



