THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 209, 1 April 1868, Page 3

THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS.

A letter from Naples of the 4th of January says:—" The eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which was described some few days since as becoming still more intensely grand, is just now quite alarming. The whole of the volcano is in violent action, and flame issues not only from the old crater and many new openings to the air, but it continues to blaze after its ejection. A slight subsidence of the volcanic motion had taken places and on Monday, the 9th of December, the mountain remained almost quiescent, its sides being covered with snow. A heavy colored smoke issued from what the savans term the " smoke holes," old and new. Tuesday night December 10th, the eruption Was resumed with great force, and a mass of lava, resembling a solid rock, was shot from the crater to a great height and, as seen from the city, rolled down the sides of the great cone after falling. A loud roar, as if of artillery-, was heard during the entire night. The mountain Was veiled in darkness long after the hour of daybreak next morning. As the forenoon advanced a strong wind sprang up from the

north and dispelled the gloom, and Vesuvius has been witnessed in its fiery daily grandeur scene. To-day a perfect river of fire is seen to flow from the mountain, running in a westerly direction. The fiery flood is nearing the town of Cercala. The up-heaving of the volcano is attended with shocks resembling those, of an earthquake, and loud detonations, as if a heavy battery in full play was heard. A perfect panic prevailes among the inhabitants of all the villages situated in the neighborhood of the foot of the mountain.