TALBOT1018

Naples
Nov. 8 – 1822

My dear Henry

Since I am to tell the truth – I must say there is no ground for expecting another eruption – I have been this morning to the Cav. Monticelli¹ a savant who is supposed to keep up the best understanding with the mountain & he says the eruption is at an end – but that the next one will be terrible Salvador also the Cicerone del monte Vesuvio ² sends an almost daily report to M^r Hamilton ³ & they all end with L’Eruzione e finita. ⁴ There has been an enormous mass of lava thrown out but as it came forth from eight bocche, ⁵ it was too much weakened to reach the sea – a great deal flowed from the highest crater –

Even the magnificent clouds of smoke which have been at once our admiration & our annoyance are now gone, & there is only a mist of fine dust & ashes which hides the sun & looks as if it was going to rain – in short it is the opinion of every body that the climate is spoilt for this winter at least. Pompeii has been almost buried & the whole road to Pæstum strewed with deep ashes – They say a mass of rock salt has been thrown out this wants confirmation, but Monticelli is going to see it tomorrow. However if you are really prepared to set out let not this prevent you, for there will always be something to see at Naples & you & I might make a journey together in any direction you please. Only let me know decidedly your plans & intentions that you may not come here & find me gone to Pæstum, Benevento, or Avellino. ⁶ I have already written two letters to Lily ⁷ at Rome which I beg you will enquire for. I have just seen Tenore ⁸ – Editor of the Flora Napolitana – I intend to cultivate his acquaintance He has got an Account of the Troad ⁹ published at Milan by Webb ¹⁰ whom you know in Italian which I am very anxious to see – as I am sure it will be good – & it is said to contain a correct map which certainly was a desideratum. I expect an answer next Thursday –

Y^r aff
W T H F S

If you should come you will find me in a place called Cappella Vecchia – near the Chiaja.¹¹ Did I tell you I had been far South enough to see Canopus¹² & knew nothing about it?

If you should come you will be able to take back some attar of Rose fresh from Adrianople ¹³ for Lily – it is some of the veritable – for I saw it bottled myself. it is evaporating fast.

Henry Talbot Esq –
Rome