THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. BY EDWARD BULWER LYTTON (LORD LYTTON.) "Such is Vesuvius! and these things take place in it every year. But "Day was turned into night, and light into darkness; an inexpressible NEW YORK THE ATHENAEUM SOCIETY TO SIR WILLIAM GELL., ETC., E10. DEAR SIR,In publishing a work of which Pompeii furnishes the subject, I can think of no one to whom it can so fitly be dedicated as yourself. Your charming volumes upon the antiquities of that city have indissolubly connected your name with its earlier (as your residence in the vicinity has identified you with its more recent) associations. Ere you receive these volumes, I hope to be deep in the perusal of your forthcoming work upon "the Topography of Rome and its Vicinity." The glance at its contents which you permitted me at Naples sufficed to convince me of its interest and value; and as an Englishman, and as one who has loitered under the Portico, I rejoice to think that, in adding largely to your own repu tation, you will also renovate our country's claim to eminence in those departments of learning in which of late years we have but feebly supported our ancient reputa tion. Venturing thus a prediction of the success of your work, it would be a little superfluous to express wish for the accomplishment of the prophecy. But I may add a more general hope, that you will long have leisure and inclination for those literary pursuits to which you 258334 |