The Lilliputian Library; Or, Gullivers Museum, in Ten Volumes. Containing Lectures on Morality, Historical Pieces, Interesting Fables, Diverting Tales (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1782 Excerpt: ... ing a slight repast, was retired to his study he immediately arose and went out upon an eminence, from whence he might more distinctly view this uncommon appearance. It Was not, at that distance, difcernable from what mountain this cloud issued; but it was found afterwards to ascend from Mount Vesuvius. I cannot give you a more exact description of its figure, than b resembling it to that of a pine-tree, for it shot up a great height in the form of a trunk, which extended itself at the top into a sort of bran ches; occasioned, I imagine, either by a sudden gust of air that impelled it, the force of which decreased as it advanced upwards; or the cloud itself, being pressed back again by its own weight, expanded in this manner It appeared sometimes bright, and sometimes dark and spotted, and was tnore or less impregnated with earth or cinders This extraordinary phaenomenon excited my uncle's philosophical curiosity to take a nearer view of it. He ordered a light vessel to be got ready, and gave me the liberty, if I thought proper, to attend brm. I rather chose to continue my studies $ for as it happened 5 he had given me an employment of that kind, . As he was com ing out of the house, he received a note, from Reftina, the wise of Baffus, who was in the uttermost alarm, at the imminent danger which threatened her; for her villa be ing situated at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, there was no way to escape but by sea; she earnestly intreated him, therefore, to come to her assistance. He accordingly changed his first design; and what he began with a philosophical, he pursued with art heroical turn of mind. He ordered the galiies to put to sea, and went himself on boart with an intention of aflisting, not only Rectina, but several others, for the villas stand extrem...