towns and villages, and forty thousand in. habitants are said to have perished by its terrible ravages. A The fiery liquid, issuing from this dreadful volcano; earthquake succeeding earthquake; mountains, cities, towns and vil lages, overturned in an instant; must have been a scene which imagination cannot conceive, much less language describe. scene which should remind mortals of that infinitely more awful and tremendous day, when-"The heavens shall pass away with "a great noise, the elements melt with "fervent heat, the earth, and the works "also that are therein, shall be burnt up." Peter, last chap. "Amazing period! when each mountain height, "Their melted mass, as rivers once they poured; "Stars rush; and final ruin fiercely drives. "Her plough-share o'er creation! "Great day of dread, decision, and despair! YOUNG. "Lo! the heavenly spirit tow'rs, "Like flames, o'er nature's funeral pyre, "And claps his wings of fire." Beyond conception blest are they; Who enter now the vail; and see WESLEY. The Saviour, Judge, their everlasting Friend. During our stay on the coast, we expe. rienced considerable hospitality from its inhabitants, and having accomplished the object of our voyage, which was to obtain a supply of wood, with which this island in many parts abounds, we returned by a beautiful coast, picturesque in a high degree, to Palermo, which is now considered the capital of the island. K 2 CHAP. X. Description of Palermo-City-Suburbs Royal Gardens-Botanic Museum-Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants-Comparisons between the Capital and Villages in this Respect-Sketch of its HistoryPreparations for leaving-Reflections on the Whole. THE town or city of Palermo is situated in the bottom of its fine bay, and from its bosom forms a handsome appearance. Its level position, stately buildings, and beautiful vicinity, of public gardens and public walks, with a mole well filled with shipping, all contrasted with a chain of mountains, of which there are many ridges, whose tops and cones tipped with snow, heighten the effect, and, altogether comprehended in one view, form what may be deemed a com-, plete whole. On visiting this pleasant spot I had an agreeable walk to its suburbs and entrance, and proceeded to investigate its interior; but here, as at Lisbon, in Portugal, I did not altogether realize what its external appearance led us to expect; but enough was presented to awaken curiosity, and reward inspection. A coach was obtained at the moderate price of a crown a day; the coachman, according to custom, transformed himself into a footman, and thus equipped, we were borne along by interesting scenes, but which are often eclipsed by extremes of misery and disease on one hand, and vain parade on the other. There are four capital streets, whose handsome buildings, regular order, parallel directions, and extraordinary length, commanded attention; did Palermo, as a whole, consist of an assemblage of such streets, it might vie with Westminster.We proceeded to view the architecture of several churches; though some few form a majestic appearance, the major part have nothing interesting. Several of the foun tains are elegant, and seem to furnish an abundant supply of water; all the necessaries, conveniencies, and superfluities of life, are here in abundance. In every direction were placed images, and paintings of the Virgin and saints, and every where were to be seen Friars variously habited, and variously conducting themselves. It is strange to see the superstition of the generality of the inhabitants; though apparently devout, yet they display such a mixture of levity and seriousness, of trifling and devotion, of apparent veneration, in the worship of God, through the intercession of the Virgin, and their saints, and transitions to the vain impertinences of man, that their character must appear mysterious to every considerate stranger; until, by a more mature consideration and inspection, he has penetrated and discovered the latent principles and springs which set all their wheels in motion. |