The publishers of The Eruption of Vesuvius in 1872, in requesting me to undertake a translation of the "Incendio Vesuviano," of Professor Palmieri, and to accompany it with some introductory remarks, have felt justified by the facts that Signor Palmieri's position as a physicist, the great advantages which his long residence in Naples as a Professor of the University, and for many years past Director of the Meteorological Observatory--established upon Vesuvius itself, prior to the expulsion of the late dynasty--have naturally caused much weight to attach to anything emanating from his pen in reference to that volcano.