Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

104 DESCRIPTION OF

to the Museum at Naples. Had the house,
which might have been covered in at a small
expense, been restored, we might have had
a lower floor at least, nearly as perfect as it
existed before the fatal eruption. The sub-
ject of a restoration has indeed often been
thought of by the directors, and the aca-
demicians have even met to consult on the
subject. Unfortunately one insists upon it.
that the atrium was covered, while another
declares that no roof whatever existed : the
voice of authority which might decide is
not always either interested in or learned
upon the subject, and the House of Pansa,
which had been selected, is now in a state
of irretrievable decay: that of the Poet has
followed it; and the mansion called that of
the Dioscuri, which, for a trifle, might have
been restored to its original splendour, is
hastening to a state of nakedness and de-
solation.

So much description of this picture is
given in the text, that more is unnecessary.

The candelabra, represented as if behind
the picture, is in the Museum.