an 'Eruption of Mount Vefuvius. 7 r 
were wounded, but only two perfons have died of the 
wounds they received from this dreadful volcanic fliower. 
To add to the horror of the fcene,' inceflant volcanic 
lightning was whifking about the black cloud that fur- 
rounded them, and the fulphureous fmell and heat would 
Icarcely allow them to draw their breath. 
In this miferable and alarming fituation they remained 
about twenty-five minutes, when the volcanic ftorm 
ceafed all at once, and the frightened inhabitants of Ot- 
taiano, apprehending a frefh attack from the turbulent 
mountain, haftily quitted the country, after having de- 
pofited the fick and bed-ridden, at their own defire, in 
the churches. 
Had the eruption lafted an hour longer, Ottaiano muft 
have remained exadtly in the ftate of Pompeia, which 
was buried under the allies of Vefuvius juft 1700 years 
ago, with moft of its inhabitants, whofe bones are to this 
day frequently found under arches and in the cellars of 
the houfes of that ancient city. 
We were told of many miracles that had been wrought 
by the images of faints at this place during the late 
difafter; but, as they are quite foreign to my purpofe, I 
fhall, as ufual, pafs them over in filence. 
The palace of the Prince of Ottaiano is fituated on an 
eminence above the town, and nearer the mountain, the 
fteps 
