9
and windows shaking and rattling incessantly,
and the bells ringing. At this awful mo-
ment the sky, from a bright full moon and
star-light, became obscured; the moon seem-
ed eclipsed, and was soon lost in obscurity.--
The murmur of the prayers and lamentations
of a numerous population, forming various
processions, and parading the streets, added
to the horrors of the scene.
On the following day a new mouth was
opened on the opposite side of the mountain,
facing the town of Ottaiano: from this aper-
ture a considerable stream of lava issued, and
ran with great velocity through a wood, which
it burnt: but stopped, after having run about
three miles in a few hours, before it reached
the vineyards and cultivated lands. The lava.
which had flowed from several new mouths
on the south side of the mountain, reached
the sea, into which it ran after having over-
whelmed, burnt, and destroyed the greater
part of the Torre del Greco, through the
centre of which it took its course. This
town contained about 18,000 inhabitants, all
of whom escaped, with the exception of about
fifteen, who, through age or infirmity, were
overwhelmed in their houses by the lava.--
Its rapid progress was such, that the goods
and effects were entirely abandoned.
It was ascertained some time after, that a
considerable part of the crater had fallen in
