462 HERCUtAftUMj FOM^^II AND STAB1A* 



of torches and lanterns, might be viewed in open day,* 

 This uncovering of it would coil no more than the kit- 

 chen-garden of the augufiine-barefoots, which lies juffi 

 over the theatre. But the generality of travellers, when 5 

 they Willi to fee Herculanum entirely uncovered, da 

 not confider that this is impoffibleto be effected, with-" 

 out entirely demoliihing the populous towns of Portici 

 and Retina. The moft of the ftreets of the city of 

 Herculanum are already dug out ; many of the houfes 

 Hand entirely free, and may be completely viewed ori 

 every lide. At firrr. it appears very furprifing to travel- 

 lers to take walks about the ftreets of a roraan city/ 

 between 60 and 70 feet under the earth, by the light- 

 of tapers, with the roman buildings in full view on botli 

 fides. However, here and there, a houfe is crufhed 

 or otherwife injured by the weight of the lava. 



About twelve italian miles from Naples, feven from, 

 Portici, and one from the fea-coaft, lies the city Pom- 

 peii, in like manner buried and again difcovered. This 

 city was not covered by the lava, but only by the fierjr- 

 afhes of Vefuvius. Accordingly here and at Stabia^ 

 every thing is in far better prefervation than at Hercu- 

 lanum ; where the heavy load of the lava has disfigured 

 a number of the precious antiques, and entirely de- 

 molimed others ; for inftance the magnificent car with 

 four horfes hameffed to it, which Hood upon th$ 

 top of the theatre. 



The fpot where Pompeii was under the earth, has al- 

 ways been known; fince it was marked by a round 

 trench which proceeded from the amphitheatre. The 

 beautiful, capitoliuni, as well as the remains of the faperb 

 amphitheatre, concur in evincing the great populouf- 



