The Excavations of Pompeii

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11, 19 March 1908, Page 30

The Excavations of Pompeii

The first excavations of Pompeii (says a writer" in tne Philadelphia ' Catholic Standard and Times") commenced in 1748, under Charles 111. of Naples. These, however, did not assume extensive proportions. Under the French domination the work was carried out on a much grander scale. After the death knell of French influence in South Italy, Pompeii was again left to its fate. But in 1863 the excavating of the entire city in a thorough fashion was decided upon, and has continued with little intermission ever since.

The preservation of paintings, furniture, and articles of food which have been discovered by" the excavators is really marvellous. Many of the frescoes have been removed botiUy to Naples, and give visitors- to the National Museum there a good idea of the facility with which those artists of the first century used the brush.

Ihe furniture recovered in the little city shows to what a refined pitch had the civilisation of the Pompeiians come. Beautifully .carve-d chests, tables inlaid with ivory, seats and luxurious couches were found in the dwellings of * the unper "Classes. In the ladies' boudoirs we found that the world, with allots boasted civilisation in tMs age of progress, has not advanced so much as it fancies. Rouge pots for the fading beauties of the citta, face powders in profusion, superbly-

.mounted minors made of polished metal, hair combs of ivoa-y and mother-of-pearl, gold rings ,set with nrecious stones, large necklaces— all these were found just" as they were left down that fatal evening so long ago.In the kitchens interesting .and- pathetic finds were made. Pots, pans, and stoves were in every house. Roasted meat, stewed rabbit, and baked bread . were discovered in ovens. Nuts, tomatoes,, grapes, ' apricots, eggs, and sweets were in abundance in the pantries, thus giving another indication how, little modern Italians have deviated in many -respects ffom the modes of life and customs of their far-off Ancestors. ' , . The capital of the South British Insurance Company, Ltd., ainounts-»to £2,00.0,000, and the , accumulated funds to £532,000. The following risks are accepted , at lowest current rates I:—Fire,1 :— Fire, , Marine, Mortgages' ln- ' demnity, Employers' Liability, Workers' Compensation, Ordinary Accident, Public Risk, Plate Glass, Burglary, Fidelity 'Guarantee.... " ' The Taratu Coal Company have much pleasure in announcing that the lower seam qf coal lately struck is of a high grade and far superior- in ' every way to the old or top seam. It is free from sulphur, stone, etc., makes a very hot, pleasant, and lasting fire, and is bound to give the housewife who uses it- sathsfaction in every way., It is what has bten long -wanifc&d — a first-class coal at a reasonable rate..'..