Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 1) (London, 1832)

POMPEIANA. 61

At the north-eastern angle of the court
is observed a singular projection from the
wall of the building, which has been ima-
gined a place for musicians or for distri-
buting wines and liquors, and a sort of bar
for the receipt of money. Its use is not
easily understood. Beyond this, and form-
ing the angle of the building, is an apart-
ment or enclosure about thirty-five feet in
length, and nearly of the same breadth, de-
corated with many now defaced paintings
and panels, and, among other subjects, that
of sea-horses touched with great spirit.

Here is also a sacellum which has had
its statue and its altar; and it does not seem
impossible that the means of cooking for
men, or of offering burnt sacrifices to the
Gods, were afforded by elevated hearths yet
found in this quarter. A Latin author says
" Culinse prope tempi a erant in quibus dapes
funerum parabantur." There xeere kitchens
near temples in which funereal repasts were
prepared. If that were the case, the place
was either open, or only partially covered
by a roof, so that the smoke might escape.
The walls are decorated with sea-horses and