Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

Ch. I. THROUGH ITALY. 15
allude to it as a solitary retreat in his time; it
does not merit that appellation at present; in
truth, it resembles a large town interspersed with
orchards, gardens, and public walks.
The views which have been described above
are not the only prospects which the castle
affords; it extends its perspective over Naples,
the lower part excepted, which is covered by
the prominency of Pausilypus, includes Vesuvius,
Stabia, Surrentum, and terminates in the island
of Caprece. It is perhaps one of the finest points
of view, as it looks down on the bay of Puteoli,
which is the most delicious part of the crater.*
Close under the southern point of Prochyta
rises another little island, now called Vivara.
Whether this island has been detached from
Prochyta by some subterraneous convulsion, or
whether it existed in ancient times, and be that
which Ovid mentions under the appellation of
Pithecus® habitantilm nomine diet®,
I leave the learned reader to determine. I shall
content myself with observing, that it answers
the description given by the poet, and swells

* The bay of Naples is often called the Crater.