38 
MEMOIR OF PLINY. 
forerunner of an approaching burst of flames (whicli 
it really was) than the return of day; liowever, the 
fire fell at a distance from us. Here again we were 
immersed in thick darkness, and a heavy shower of 
ashes rained upon us, whicli we were obliged every 
now and then to shake olF, otherwise we should 
have been crushed and buried in the heap. At last 
this frightful darkness was dissipated by degrees, like 
a cloud of smoke ; the real day returned, and even 
the sun appeared, though very faintly, and as when 
an eclipse is coming on. Every object that present- 
ed itself to our eyes (which were extremely weaken- 
ed) seemed changed, being covered over with white 
ashes, as with a deep snow. We returned to Mi- 
senum, where we refreshed ourselves as well as we 
could, and passed an anxious night betwixt hope 
and fear, though indeed with a much larger share of 
the latter, for the earth still continued to shake ; 
while several enthusiastic persons ran wildly among 
the people, throwing out temporary predictions, and 
making a kind of frantic sport of their own and their 
friends’ wretched situation. But notwithstanding the 
danger we had passed, and that which still threaten- 
ed us, we had no thoughts of leaving Misenum till 
we should receive some accounts of my uncle.” * 
A short time brought them tidings of the melan- 
choly event, as has been already narrated. The ne- 
phew inherited the estates and effects of his deceased 
relative, and appearing soon after at the bar in Rome, 
* Plinii Epist. lib. vi. 17, 20. 
