uins of three temples--those of
Diana, Venus, and Mercury. Of the first, one side and a few little
cells, called the "baths of Venus," alone remain. Part of Venus's
temple stands in the rotunda. It was built on acoustic principles,
so that any one who puts his ear to a certain part of the wall can
hear what is whispered at the opposite extremity. A few fragments
of the rotunda were the only trace left of the temple of Diana.

The vapour baths of Nero, hewn out of the rock, consist of several
passages, into which it is impossible to penetrate far on account of
the heat. A boy ran to the spring and brought us some boiling
water; he returned from his expedition fiery red in the face, and
covered with perspiration. These poor lads are accustomed to remain
at the spring until they have succeeded in boiling some eggs; but I
would not allow any such cruelty, and did not even wish them to
fetch me the water, but Herr Brettschneider would have it so in
spite of me.

From this place we crossed by sea to Baiae, where at one time many
of the rich people had their villas. Their proceedings here are
said, however, to have been of so immoral a character, that at
length it was considered wrong to have resided here any time. Every
visitor must be enchanted with the fertility of this region, and
with its lovely aspect. A castle, now used as a barrack for
veterans, crowns the summit of a rock which stands prominently
forth. A few unimportant traces can still be here discovered of an
ancient temple of Hercules. Some masonry, in the form of a
monument, marks the alleged spot where Agrippina was murdered and
buried by order of her son.

The immense reservoir built by order of the emperor Augustus for the
purpose of supplying the fleet with fresh water, is situate in the
neighbourhood of Baiae; it is called Piscina. This giant structure
contains several large chambers, their roofs supported by numerous
columns. To view this reservoir we are compelled to descend a
flight of steps.

Not far from the before-mentioned building we come upon the "Cento
Camarelle," a prison consisting of a multitude of small cells.

On our way back we visited Solfatara, the celebrated crater plain,
about 1000 feet in length by 800 in breadth, skirted by hills. Its
volcanic power is not yet wholly extinct; in several places
brimstone-fumes (whence the plain derives its name,) are still seen
rising into the air, which they impregnate with a most n