mockery, of the living, and the dead. In the process of drying, the faces are distorted into every expression of ghastliness and horror, that can be imagined. The skin is shrivelled and brown; the teeth exposed, and of many that have been effected by moisture, the under jaw has Fallen, so as to distend the mouth, while the skull covered with the hair, and the cawl, is kept in its place. The shocking and disgusting effect, is heightened by the Clothing, which is kept sufficiently entire to prevent the bodies from falling to the ground as they decay.

We left this heart apalling assembly for a more lighted part of the vault, where we saw the bodies of children clothed in the gaudy colours of the nursery.

An African king, who died in Sicily, was buried here. The skull and the bones of the arms were painted black and placed in a small niche. All the skeletons, standing in niches, hold scrolls of parchment in their hands, upon which are written their names and ages, with the time of their death.ran

these

In the cavern where the bodies are prepared, there were four, in different stages of the process. One of was a Prince, whose funeral we had a few days since, witnessed at Palermo. The circumstances of his death as then related to us were remarkable.

Like many of the Sicilian nobility, his incomes were extremely limited. The consolation and solace of his old age, was an only child and daughter, whom he had spared no pains in educating. She was of a proper age to be married, and the hope and care of his life, was to effect for her an advantageous connextion. At the opening of the theatre of St. Carlós, at Naples, many of the nobili With a relation of this Prince, went to witness the

ty,

splendid exhibition. The favorite daughter was of the party, under the protection of her relation. During the subsequent festivities, this accomplished young lady attracted the notice and partiality of a Spanish nobleman, of wealth and consequence. A negociation was commenced, which soon terminated in a treaty of marriage. When information of its happy consummation reached the father, he was overwhelmed with the joyful intelligence, and survived but a few hours. of a god sw ted:

24.-In our accustomed ride to-day, we visited the country residence of our friend Mr. I. on the acclivity of Mont Reale, four miles from the city. It is so delightfully situated that Mr. A. whose health yet remains deli. cate, has determined to accept of the very kind invitation of Mr. I. and remove to it without

Mr. I. was of our party, and his servants having had notice of our coming, had prepared refreshments of wine and fruits.

now

In the garden we found an abundance ripe, of the kind, called blood orange from their colour. On our return we met the Prince d'Aci, ci, who had requested the American consul and our party, to see him at his gardens near Palermo. He had previously sent for Ca Capt. Blake, the agent for the American ship Sally Anne, and had changed her quarantine in consequence of his representation, from eighteen, to seven days. unsolicited and unexpected. dismissed Capt. Blake, with a present of half a dozen pheasants, and wild boar from his park. As we walked through the garden, the Prætor pointed out to us several American plants, on which, he had the civility to say, he placed a particular value in compliment to our country. He made

He then

This favor was

a

many enquiries about America, and observed, that "Si

cily was

y was worn out," "and your country too," to an Englishman; " If I were not past fifty years of age, and infirm, I would emigrate to America."

In the evening we repaired, as usual, to the opera. We have found no other public amusement, or any place, we can while away a few hours with so much plea

where

sure.

We have met the same faces, so frequently there, that we begin to feel domesticated among them. The good old physician, Patronajo, is always present, and he never fails to offer us some civility. We are even recognised by the players. Madam Dardanella, came to our box this evening to mention to the American consul and his friend, that to-morrow night would be her benefit, and to beg we would accept of the box, where she had been happy to observe us, for several evenings. This civility was obviously intended for Mr. Porter. In the box adjoining that in which we were seated, we observed a lad sixteen or eighteen years of age, of delicate appearance and singular beauty. While we were making our remarks, and whispering his praises, he seated himself very near us, when lo! the beautiful lad proved to be a lady, very prettily dressed in men's clothes. We have frequently observed ed woman dressed in this way, in the pit, but never boxes. It is not considered proper for WObe seated in the pit, and we have never seen them there, unless they were in the disguise of men.

the

before in t

men to be

E

25-We intended to have spent an hour, in walking through the apartments of the palace of the Prince Butera, but were detained there nearly all day, and at last did not complete our tour of this magnificent edifice. We were attended through the suits of apartments, by a sex

vant in livery, who repeatedly informed us that he was the major duomo; and in the absence of the Princess Butera, had orders to demean himself with courtesy wards strangers. The apartments on the first floor are spacious, and the furniture plain, but extremely rich, consisting of tables of the finest marble, mirrors, chairs,&c.

The principal dining hall is large enough to accommodate three or four hundred guests, and the tables permanently fixed in the centre of the room. In the next story many of the apartments are hang with silken tapestry? manufactured in Palermo. The mirrors are large and expensively guilt, the candalabrias, urns, &c. of immense, value. On this floor is a bath; a cabinet of natural eu riosities, philosophical instruments, and a magnificent chapel... a sud trued Pinsɔtdigie L In the third story is a library, a collection of paint. ings and sculpture, and apartments for lodging. TAM mong the pictures, we observed a well executed full length portrait of lord Nelson, and several pictures of lam dy Hamilton,

,,

28. I am spending my last days in this delightful city, and have determined to take the next packet for Na ples. My friends are pleasantly situated at their new residence, and will remain there until the winter, or rainy season is past. If the wind favors me, this is myɔ jasto date from Palermo. 2. 42 Codadom en-be sved alsal yoom wol ༄།།, wir bas cetusmivaom

Adieu.

ན

Voyage to Naples-Description of the Bay—Vesuvius -Arrival and prattique-Police investigation. Lodgings—First walk in Naples-The Studio--The Catacombs.

Ship Sally Anne, at Sea, Feb. 1. We sailed from Palermo at 6 P. M. or according to the Sicilian mode of computing time, the 24th hour of the last day of January. At Palermo the day begins at 7 and ends at 6 P. M. They do not count to twelve, and then commence again at one, but continue their computation to the twenty-fourth hours Mid day is consequently the eighteenth hour; but to make themselves intelligible to Englishmen they sometimes say, the first, second, third hour, &es after mid day. We have nothing to do but to tell the hours, beginning as we will, and counting as idly as we choose; for we are this morning becalmed so far from land that we can only see the blue mountains of Sicily soon to fade on our vision forever! A feeling of sadness and regret mingles with our last adieu. We have left” behind » us," millions of human beings, and can never again study their manners and peculiarities. A chapter of human nature has been passed over, unlearn ed--the probation of our curiosity in Sicily has ended.' How many facts have escaped us! How many cities, monuments, and ruins, have we failed to visit! How many regions left unexplored! how little, added to our knowledge of a country so full of interest!

Do not, my dear friend, complain of my limited and unsatisfactory view, but consider that my hasty excur