18
bay, are invisible, while at mid-day torches
are almost necessary, and umbrellas absolute-
ly so.- The King's villa at Resina was yes-
terday stripped of its furniture, and I may
say that the whole line of coast, from Portici
to Castel-a-Mar, has been abandoned, unless
we expect the curious who flock in crowds to
see what is passing. The eruption of cinders
and smoke at this moment presents the ap-
pearance of a very thick and elevated black
cone, which the wind blows towards Somma,
Ottajano. and Nola. The number of indi-
viduals who fled from these villages augmcut-
ed considerably yesterday. Last night about
2000 of these unfortunate persons received
pecuniary assistance.
"Oct 26.--We expect that the eruption
will soon entirely cease. The columns of
cinders and smoke are decreasing, and the
detonations are less frequent and loud than
heretofore. Most of the people who had fled
are returning to their homes. It rained co-
piously last night, which has had the effect
of purifying the atmosphere, which before was
filled with clouds of black ashes. The sum-
mit of Vesuvius is visible, and it appears
that the dreadful eruption which has taken
place has torn away a part of the crust of the
volcano.
Oct 28.--This eruption is completely at
an end; but violent explosions of cinders still
