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

POMPEIANA. 119

inches high, and the wall is seven feet high
up to the lowest cornice, which is, like the
pilasters, painted red.

From the pavement of the caldarium,
which was of white tesserae, with two small
borders of black, bathers ascended by two
steps so as to sit down conveniently upon
the third or marble wall, one foot four inches
broad, which formed the brink of the vase
or vat of hot water. Thence one step di-
viding the whole depth of the cistern, not
exceeding two feet and half an inch, per-
mitted them to immerse themselves by de-
grees in the heated fluid. The whole length
of the cistern is fifteen feet, and the breadth
four. About ten persons might have sat
upon the marble pavement, without incon-
venience, at the same moment, immersed in
the hot water. It is evident, from the shal-
lowness of this cistern, that persons must
have sat on the pavement in order to have
been sufficiently immersed; and, accordingly,
the side next the north wall is constructed
with marble, sloping like the back of a chair
in an angle well adapted to the support of
the body in that position.