ection with the story of the
older and more circumstantial writer.

One of the earliest important discoveries at Pompeii, made in 1771,
was that of the "Villa of Diomedes," named from the tomb of Marcus
Arrius Diomedes across the street. Since then every decade has seen
some progress in the work of excavation, and among other buildings
brought to light are the "House of Pansa," the "House of the Tragic
Poet," the "House of Sallustius," the "Castor and Pollux," a double
house, and the "House of the Vettii"--the last, a recent discovery,
being left with all its furnishings as found. Many interesting
objects have been discovered lately, and a complete picture can now
be presented of a small Italian city and its life in the first
century A.D. Valuable finds are wall paintings, illustrative of
decorative art; floor mosaics, etc., which may be seen in the Royal
Museum of Naples. Another of the most recent discoveries is that of
the temple of Venus Pompeiana in the southern corner of the city;
others are the remains of persons who, carrying valuables, perished
in a wayside inn where they had sought refuge. At the present time
about one-half of the city has been excavated, and the circuit of
the walls has been found to be about two miles. The uncovering of
the whole city will probably require many years. Excavations now
being made in the adjacent country promise results as interesting
as those already obtained within the city limits.

PLINY

Your request that I would send you an account of my uncle's death, in
order to transmit a more exact relation of it to posterity, deserves my
acknowledgments; for, if this accident shall be celebrated by your pen,
the glory of it, I am well assured, will be rendered forever
illustrious. And notwithstanding he perished by a misfortune, which as
it involved at the same time a most beautiful country in ruins, and
destroyed so many populous cities, seems to promise him an everlasting
remembrance; notwithstanding he has himself composed many and lasting
works; yet I am persuaded, the mentioning of him in your immortal
writings will greatly contribute to render his name immortal.

Happy I esteem those to be to whom by provision of the gods has been
granted the ability either to do such actions as are worthy of being
related or to relate them in a manner worthy of being read; but
pec