MESSINA.

THE town of Messina lies on the east coast of Sicily. The harbour, which is more than two miles in circumference, is formed by a strip of sandy beach, projecting into the sea in a semicircle. The greater part of the town rises in the form of a crescent on one side of the harbour, along which is a handsome quay, constituting a favourite promenade, lined on one side by a row of elegant houses. Among other remarkable buildings of Messina, are the cathedral, the churches of La Candlera and of the Capuchins, which contain several fine paintings: there are, also, the archiepiscopal palace, the royal palace, the senate-house, the royal college, and two theatres.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

ACT III. SCENE III.

MESSINA.-Square of the Cathedral.

BORACHIO and CONRADE.

Bora. But know, that I have to-night woo'd Margaret, the lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the name of Hero; she leans me out at her mistress' chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night, I tell this tale vilely :-I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio, and my master, planted, and placed, and possessed by my master don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter.

Con.

And thought thy Margaret was Hero?

Bora. Two of them did, the prince and Claudio; but the devil my master knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any slander that don John had made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as he was appointed, next morning at the temple, and there, before the whole congregation, shame her with what he saw o'er night, and send her home again without a husband.