In the middle of the town there was a famous amphitheatre, one hundred and twenty-eight feet in length. Enough of the ground work is left to give a just idea of its construction; and the entrance, with arched passages on each side for the wild beasts, is still tolerably perfect. October 1st. Signor Pitelli not having finished the plans, and the wind continuing contrary, we carried him on shore again to-day. Here, in a farm-house, amidst these ruins of antiquity, we saw the modern method of drying figs, and making raisins. The operation is very simple. Expose the fruit to the sun for eight or ten days, then bake it, and when packing up, sprinkle a little flour between the layers. Pestum was founded by one of those Grecian colonies, who, in the early ages, established themselves in Italy, whence this country derived the appellation of Magna Grecia. LETTER XI. October 2d. Lord Hervey took leave of us this morning off Salerno, and had scarce made the shore in a boat that attended his Lordship, before we were attacked by an adverse gale of wind, which obliged us to stand towards the west, pretty close to Capria, and, I assure you, it is with no small satisfaction, that we find ourselves sufficiently to windward to fetch the Bay of Naples, should the storm increase. October 3d. The gale having moderated, we tacked at one A. M. and at noon the wind became fair, but has left a heavy sea against us. October 4th. At eight A. M. were in sight of Strombolo, the most northern of the Lipari Islands, which are supposed to be of volcanic origin, that is, thrown up by eruptions occasioned by fire under the sea, whence Virgil makes them the residence of Vulcan. They are also supposed to have given rise to the fable of Eolus, from one of their Kings of this name, who, by attending to the smoke of the neighbouring islands, had learned to foretell how the wind would blow. Homer carries Ulysses to Lipari, the capital of that monarch, who, compassionating his sufferings, made him a present of the different winds confined in separate bags, that he might use them at his pleasure; but when they got in sight of Ithaca, his companions, ignorant of the contents, untying the adverse ones, he was driven back in a violent storm, and thus renewed his former woes.