There is kept in the museum a case of surgeon's instru ments, complete, with pincers, spatula, and prsbes ; also a box supposed to have contained unguents ; and pieces of marble, employed in braying pharmaceutical substances. A variety of carpenters' and masons' tools, as chissels, com passes, and trowels, were found, resembling our own ; and bolts and nails, all of bronze.
The weights and measures of the ancients have excited considerable discussion, which those preserved in Hercu laneum may elucidate : Different balances appear, of which the most common is analogous to the Roman steel yard : but those with flats for scales, though wanting the needle, are likewise seen. The weights are either of mar ble or metal, of all gradations up to thirty pounds; and from the marks exhibited by a set, well made of black marble, in a spherical shape, it is supposed the pound was divided into eight parts. A weight is inscribed eme on one side, and habebis on the other. There are pocket long measures, folding up like our common foot rule, which may throw some light on the length of theRoman foot. Neat copper vases are supposed to have been measures for grain ; the capacity of one is 191 cubic inches.
The various implements for writing repeatedly occur red ; and among the pictures is a female apparently lis tening to dictation. That the ancients were perfectly ac quainted with the art of making glass is proved by the vatieties discovered in these exfodiations. Considerable numbers of phials and bottles, chiefly of an elongated shape, are preserved; they are of uilequai thickness, much heavier than glass of ordinary manufacture, and of a green colour. Vessels of cut white glass have been found, and also white plate glass, which antiquaries suppose was used in lining chambers, called vitrec. Coloured glass, or artificial gems, engraved, frequently occur : and the paintings exhibit crystal vessels. We may remark in this place, that any one who studies the antiquities of Hercula neum, will find his researches greatly facilitated by frequent reference to the epigrams of Martial, whom nothing used in ordinary life seems to have escaped.
The beauty and variety of the vases have attracted par ticular notice, and they serve as excellent models for the moderns ; for all the skill of the ancient artists seems to have been exhausted in their execution. There is one pre served four feet in diameter of fine white marble ; others are of earthen-ware or silver, and the majority of bronze or copper. Some are low, wide, and flat; others tall and narrow, plain, fluted, or sculptured. Sacrificial vases were
supported on tripods, whose construction seems to have been attended with equal cart. Some of the latter are richly sculptured with real and imaginary figures of men and animals. One is ornamented with three lions heads, and is supported by as many paws : another rests on three Priapeian satyrs of elegant workmanship, or on the feet of eagles. The god of the gardens seems to have been treat ed with peculiar regard by the Herculaneans. He appears with all his attributes, of every possible variety, figure, and dimensions, in tripods, lamps, and household utensils. The articles on this subject are so common as to constitute a large branch of curious antiques, concerning the emblematic use of which we can only entertain conjectures. Several tri pods are very ingeniously constructed, so that the feet may be closed or expanded by double sets of hinges. Endless diversity and infinite elegance are displayed in the lamps and candelabra, which are now affording models for the works of the moderns ; but we do not know whether chan deliers have been discovered, at least they are so rare, that we may doubt whether the inhabitants often resorted to lights from wax or resinous substances. Sometimes a lamp appears as a shell, sometimes as a bird ; then a human figure, or resembling a quadruped. The vases, lamps, and tripods, were particularly used in sacrifices, several of which are represented in the pictures ; and among others, are sacrifices to the Egyptian deities. There were many funeral urns and sepulchral lamps, such as those regarding which vague ideas have been entertained as formed for containing perpetual fire.
In regard to sports and pastimes, numerous remains ren der us familiar with those of the ancients. Here we find dice, with the same disposal of points on a cube ; and dice boxes of bone or ivory, like those now used, besides some of a flattish shape. Several arc false, being loaded on one side and the manner of throwing the dice appears on a picture. No musical instruments were found but the sis trum, which we imperfectly understand, cymbals, and flutes of bone or ivory, are yet obtained. However, a con cert is represented on a picture sixteen inches square, con taining a lyrist, a player on a donble flute, probably by a mouth piece, and a female apparently singing from a leaf of music ; besides other two figures. Several theatrical masks, of different fashions, were found in clay and metal, along with moulds for their formation. Their use in dra.