ACCOUNT OF VEROLI

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valuable ancient manuscripts, than any other in Europe .It must be allowed that the Neapolitan territory has, fromthe most ancient times produced an abundant crop of literarymen. Zeluco of Locri, Pythagoras of Cotrone, Architaof Tarentum, Alessus of Sibari, and afterwards Ennius ,Cicero, Sallust, Vitruvius, Ovid, Horace, and Cassiodorus ,whoaided by thegood King Theodoricus, did much for letters,and was the last luminary that appeared just previously to thedark iron sway of the Lombards and Saracens . But, then, asmall concealed light continued to be preserved in thesecluded isolated convent of Monte Cassino, the inmates ofwhich continued for ages to enjoy their literary treasuresand to pursue their studies.

I must now hasten to Capua, which we reached by theway of Aquino, the birth place of a certain saint Thomaswith that cognomen, and Veroliof which I shall only remarkupon the singular position, and the renewed most pleasingevidence which we enjoyed, of the vivifying and happyeffects of industry.

Veroli is a small town of about one thousand inhabitants,about half of whom are engaged in the manufacture of cutleryand fire arms, the other half in weaving coarse sheeting andin agriculture. The town is built on the top and in thecrater of an extinct volcano ; on approaching the place, fewof the houses are to be seen, except on the north-east side,where they run over the edge, if I may so say, and spreadover the side of the mountain. Maugre the smithies andforges, charcoal being used, the place is as clean and freefrom smoke as any neighbouring village. Beautiful women,fine healthy men, good and picturesque clothing, wellcultivated fields, and a general glow of comfort, denotes thepresence of industrial establishments.

Arrived at Capua, we passed two or three days inexploring and measuring the amphitheatre and tombs of

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