I VISITED Naples in the year 1818. On the 8th of December of that year my companion and I crossed the Bay to visit the antiquities which are scattered on the shores of Baiae. The translucent and shining waters of the calm sea covered fragments of old Ro­man villas which were interlaced by sea-weed and received diamond tints from the chequering of the sun-beams; the blue and pellucid element was such as Galatea might have skimmed in her car of mother of pearl; or Cleopatra more fitly than the Nile have chosen as the path of her magic ship. Though it was winter the atmosphere seemed more appropriate to early spring; and its genial warmth contributed to ins­pire those sensations of placid delight which are the portion of every traveller as he lingers loath to quit the tranquil bays and radiant promontories of Baiae.