126 
PROCEEDINGS OF 
[Dec. 
amid its ruins, afford conclusive evidence that it was laid prostrate by some great 
convulsion of nature. The amphitheatre, in whose immense elliptical arena, near 
three hundred feet in diameter, now grow luxuriant crops of blue wheat, is but a 
heap of huge masses of masonry, broken and lifted from their places by super¬ 
human agency; no part of the structure having withstood the shock, except the 
deepest foundations, in which are still seen, leading by arched ways into the arena, 
the vaulted chambers in which the wild beasts were wont to be prepared for the 
cruel sport. A segment of the circumference, however, still exhibits six or eight 
rows of benches, in a good state of preservation, which serve to trace the outline of 
the building. Whether enriched by the blood of the contending gladiators and 
•their ferocious competitors for applause, or by a small stream which now runs 
through the arena, the soil produces the heaviest crops I haye seen in Spain. The 
crimson flowers growing among the wheat present to the mind an image of the 
gore with which the place was so often stained. The stream, at intervals, yet rolls 
;.up some copper oboli, which the traveller may get, for a few marayedis, from the un¬ 
breeched urchins who haunt the spot. I would have spent many hours there, and 
oven with my own hands have dug into the soil for valuable relies, but the land is 
in the possession of speculators, who will neither explore it themselves, nor allow 
any one else to do it. And thus this rich treasure for the antiquarian, and deep 
mine of historical lore, is now a sealed book, and will remain so for the many years 
; to come,, which. I fear, this unhappy though beautiful country is destined to pass 
ip its present unfortunate condition. 
With esteem, J am, dear .Sir, yours truly., A,. VAIL. 
From George Moore, XJ, S., Consul, Trieste..-— Extract. 
Trieste, October 7, 1841. 
It may appear rather apocryphal that, in the year 1841, a river should have 
been discovered in the immediate neighborhood of Trieste, and but a very short dis¬ 
tance from the highway to Vienna; yet such is the fact. 
At about nine miles in a direct line to the east of Trieste, the small river “ Rec- 
ca” enters and disappears in the Grotto of ,St. -Caution, At about eleven miles in 
a direct line to the northwest of Trieste, and precisely where the Highlands termi¬ 
nate,the river Timayo ” gushes out from the rocks, is navigable almost to its source, 
and, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile, enters the sea. 
To convey a more correct idea of this interesting discovery, I have sent you, 
by the American barque Falmouth, John Davis, Jun., master, a tin case, addressed 
to the care of Mr. Bedient, United States Despatch Agent at New-York, contain,- 
ing two lithographic views and plans connected with this river, which, at the spot 
where it has been discovered, about two and a half miles east-northeast of Trieste, 
is about nine hundred feet beneath the surface of the earth, and is a much larger 
body of water than the “ Rccca,” though there is no doubt but that it forms part of 
the newly discovered river. 
As Trieste suffers frequently from drought, it is to be hoped some plan will be 
devised to conduct at least a part of this water to Trieste. A tunnel is talked of. 
I am, respectfully, sir, Ac. 
GEORGE MOORE, Consul, 
