TOL. XLVII.^ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. idjfl 



or stairs also lead up, in a straight line, to a sort of gallery, several feet wide, 

 which ranges all round the outside of the theatre, and is called the precinct ; 

 above which there are other stairs, which lead to a second. By this precinct 

 it is judged, that the theatre, with the orchestra, must be about 52 or 53 feet 

 diameter. 



Going round the theatre, are seen several large square pilasters, equally distant 

 from each other ; and which supported the whole edifice. These pilasters are of 

 a thin compact red brick, adorned with marble cornices. The pavement of this 

 theatre must have been very beautiful, by the different coloured marble, that has 

 been taken out of it, and some that remain. In short, by the broken pieces of 

 cornices, mouldings, and carved work, and the many fragments of pillars, &c. 

 which have been found within and without the theatre, it appears to have been a 

 most magnificent edifice. 



There are 2 principal gates to the theatre, with inscriptions on the architraves, 

 which are taken out, and placed in the king's palace, among the other curiosities. 



There is another opening, distant from that which leads to the theatre, by 

 which they have made a way into some houses. Here they seem to have dug 

 infinitely more than about the theatre ; for one may ramble, as in a labyrinth, 

 for at least half a mile. Among the things that have been dug out of either of 

 the two places, are many parts of broken horses, with part of a triumphal car or 

 chariot, all of gilt bronze ; and which, they say, was placed over one of the gates 

 of the theatre. Two equestrian statues, which were found on each side of one of 

 the said gates, and they suppose fronting a street that led to the theatre. Those, 

 they say, were erected in honour of the 2 Balbis, father and son, who were bene- 

 factors to the Herculaneans. One of these statues cannot be repaired ; the other, 

 which happened to be better preserved, is well repaired, and is set up under the 

 piazza in the gate-way of the king's palace at Portici. 



This is a most beautiful statue, and is considered to be one of the best in the 

 world. Not far from it, at the bottom of the palace stair-case, are fixed a beau-< 

 tiful statue of the emperor Vitellius, very perfect and entire ; one of Nero, with 

 a thunderbolt in his hand ; one of Vespasian ; one of Claudius ; one of Grermani- 

 cus ; and 2 beautiful statues, sitting. There are many others, of marble, and of 

 bronze, all larger than life ; and even some gigantic, or colossal ; many without 

 heads, or arms, and others so destroyed as never to be repaired. Of busts, there 

 are some very beautiful, as that of Jupiter Ammon, Neptune, Mercury, Juno, 

 Ceres, Pallas, &c. In the apartments of the palace is a vast number of little 

 statues, many of which are extremely beautiful : also a great number of little 

 idols, tripods, lachrymatories, and many vases curiously wrought. Among these. 



