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

174. POMPEIANA.

The openings represented in the wall,
through which the transparent atmosphere
and capricious architectural decorations are
discovered, have apleasingandstrikingeffect.
In these we are presented with the roof, or
ceiling, and the opening of the impluvium;
and, in the original, they are of a size sufficient
to leave no doubt as to the appearance from
the atrium of this important feature, which
was decorated, like the eaves of external
roofs, with its ornamental antefixes.

The lower part of the wall was decorated
with garlands, sea-horses, and other orna-
ments, on black panels. The floor of the
room is mosaic.

This chamber of Leda is prettily paved
in mosaic, and is nineteen feet long by
eighteen feet six inches wide. In its pre-
sent state it is sufficiently lofty, and there
can be little doubt that it had, like the other
tablinum, a row of small windows which ad-
mitted light above the roof of the peristyle.

It is impossible to conclude the account
of the house of the Tragic Poet without
speaking of the beautiful mosaic picture,
Plate XLV., on the floor of the tablinum.