54 Sir william Hamilton’s Account of 
of fire, at other times clearing away, and giving a full 
view of it, with the various tints produced by its rever- 
berated light on the white clouds above, in contrail with 
the pale fladies of forked lightning that attended thetropea, 
formed fuch a fcene as no power of art can ever exprefs. 
That which followed the next evening was furely 
much more formidable and alarming ; but this was more 
beautiful and fublime than even the raoft lively imagi- 
nation can paint to itfelf. This great explofion did not 
laft above eight or ten minutes, after which Vefuvius 
was totally eclipfed by the dark clouds, and there fell a 
heavy fhower of rain. 
Some fcorice and fmall flones fell at Ottaiano during 
this eruption, and fome of a very great fize in the valley 
between Vefuvius and the Hermitage. All the inhabitants 
of the towns at the foot of the volcano were in the 
greateft alarm, and preparing to abandon their houfes, 
had the eruption continued longer. 
One of his Sicilian Majefty’s game-keepers, Who was 
out in the fields near Ottaiano, whilft this combined 
ftorm was at its height, was greatly furprized to find the 
drops of rain fcald his face and hands, which phenome- 
non was probably occafioned by the clouds having ac- 
quired a great degree of heat in palling through the 
above 
