Walter has some money left, which we must use
or try a begging-box, for I see no other resource, since they seem to
have abandoned me so. Go ashore each day to sight-seeing. Have the
pleasure to meet Mr.[502] and Mrs. Laing-Meason of Lindertis, and have
their advice and assistance and company in our wanderings almost every
day. Mr. Meason has made some valuable remarks on the lava where the
villas of the middle ages are founded: the lava shows at least upon the
ancient maritime villas of the Romans; so the boot of the moderns galls
the kibe of the age preceding them; the reason seems to be the very
great durability with which the Romans finished their domestic
architecture of maritime arches, by which they admitted the sea into
their lower houses.[503]

* * * * *

We were run away with, into the grotto very nearly, but luckily stopped
before we entered, and so saved our lives. We have seen the Strada
Nuova--a new access of extreme beauty which the Italians owe to Murat.

The Bay of Naples is one of the finest things I ever saw. Vesuvius
controls it on the opposite side of the town.

I never go out in the evening, but take airings in the day-time almost
daily. The day after Christmas I went to see some old parts of the city,
amongst the rest a tower called Torre del Carmine, which figured during
the Duke of Guise's adventure, and the gallery of as old a church, where
Masaniello was shot at the conclusion of his career.[504] I marked down
the epitaph of a former Empress,[505] which is striking and affecting.
It would furnish matter for my Tour if I wanted it.

"Naples, thou'rt a gallant city,
But thou hast been dearly bought"--[506]

So is King Alphonso made to sum up the praises of this princely town,
with the losses which he had sustained in making himself master of it. I
looked on it with something of the same feelings, and I may adopt the
same train of thought when I recall Lady Northampton, Lady Abercorn, and
other friends much beloved who have met their death in or near this
city.

FOOTNOTES:

[499] By "Board of Literature" Scott doubtless means the Royal Society
of Literature, instituted in 1824 under the patronage of George iv.; see
_ante_, vol. i. pp. 390-91. Besides the members who paid a subscription
there were ten associates, of whom Coleridge was one, who each received
an annuity of a hundred guineas from the King's bounty. When William IV.
succeeded his broth