Well, my dear readers, you who are living in Naples, you who will
come to Naples to morrow or later, you can now safely go on the roads
damaged by the eruption, by any means of transportation you like.
The best, of course, the one I would suggest as the best, being more
comfortable, very rapid and suiting all pockets is the quite popular
railway of the Circumvesuviana, that same road, which has saved men
and things, which is really the best help for the reorganization of
life, up there. It will carry you easily to see the lava at Torre
Annunziata, and farther still if you like to see the new Pompei, that
is, Ottaiano and S. Giuseppe of Ottaiano. Reader, if you are a woman
going, don't wear nice clothes, because there is always some wind
raising the ashes and your clothes would be ruined; put on a simple
woollen dress, a gown, a shirt waist and a simple figaro, so that you
may take it off if it gets too hot. Put on a small hat, if you go there
by train, and a cap if you go by automobile, and cover up either of
them with a white, gray, or pale lilac veil hiding thus your face, your
hair, and your neck. If you possess a big white chiffon scarf, wrap up
your hat and face in it and tie it under your chin. If you have weak
eyes put on a myrtle green or golden brown veil but large and closed.
Wear a good pair of black boots, with low heels and comfortable. A
parasol is useless: with your large veil, you are protected from the
sun, whilst a parasol would be an encumbrance.
A good stick might not be useless. Then with your short skirt which
enable you to walk quickly and well protected from the gushes of ashes
raised by the wind, you may go any where you like even on the lava
of Boscotrecase, on the mountains of lappillus in Ottaiano, on the
observatory and the crater, if you have the strength and courage to
do it. You may see all, and know all, and you will return home with a
world of new and deep impressions. If you want to breakfast, you will
find what is necessary anywhere even in Ottaiano or Boscotrecase, but
don't forget to carry within you a tender heart, and any thing you can
possibly gather to give to women and to babies. Anything, an apron or
an handkerchief to one single woman, or a small shirt or a little dress
to one single child. Don't forget this and God will bless your steps.
April 23th 1906.