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PREFACE.

IT is not intended to detain the Reader by a long Preface. If the Work submitted to his notice be worthy of approbation, it will be conceded without solicitation ; if not, the Author would disdain to seek from favour that which justice should deny. With regard to the assistance which he has received from friends and others, all such instances are noticed, as he hopes, with a proper sense of gratitude, in the several pages where they occur. His opinions throughout have been expressed freely and conscientiously, but without bigotry; since he is very ready to acknowledge the weakness of human judgment, and will be as anxious to retract an error, as he would be averse to supporting any doctrine or position from interested and selfish motives. He has long wished to

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fulfil his engagement in the publication of these volumes, that he might give a more exclusive attention to studies connected with a profession adopted subsequently to his Travels; but that wish has been prevented by several causes with which it is not necessary to make the Public acquainted. Whatever may be the fate of his Work, the Author's intention has been to instruct and amuse the Reader; but if he shall have only succeeded partially in this design, and amused him without vitiating his taste or corrupting his principles, he will even then think his time has not been unprofitably employed.

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Cambridge,

June 17, 1820.

CONTENTS.

Departure from England-Arrival at Gibraltar-Excursion into Spain-Arrival in Sicily-Bay

of Palermo-City and Noblesse-Experiment of the British Constitution-Sicilian Parlia-

ment-Errors of the British Authorities-Concise Account of Manners, &c. in the Sicilian

Capital-Reflections on the general State of the Island-Departure from Palermo, and Arrival

at Girgenti-Ancient Republic of Agrigentum, Commerce, Luxury, and Fine Arts-Splendid

Site of the City-Description of its Temples and other Antiquities-Modern City of Girgenti

upon Mount Camicus-Cathedral, Public Library, &c.-Festival at the Dominican Convent-

Excavations among the Tombs-Departure from Girgenti-Peasantry-Celebration of Har-

vest-home-Music-Arrival at and Description of Castro Giovanni-Temple of Ceres-Lake

of Proserpine-Ancient Castle converted into a Gaol-Scene among the Felons-Adminis-

tration of Justice, and Prison Discipline-Account of Riots and Execution at Palermo.....

CHAPTER II.

Journey to Syracuse-Excavations in the Rock at Lentini-Eastern Coast of Sicily-Arrival at

Syracuse-Gates shut-Sleep on the Edge of the Great Harbour-Appearance of the same-

Pass the fortified Isthmus-Quarrels of the Sicilians-Small Harbour-Hotel of the Leon

d'oro-History of our Host-Visit to Arethusa-Account of Arethusa and Alpheus-Cas-

tello di Maniace-Transportation of Santa Lucia's Corpse, &c. to Constantinople-Infa-

mous Conduct of a Marquess Geraci-Ancient Granaries, Walls, Towers, and Strength, of

Ortygia-Circuit of the Ramparts-Author attacked by Fever-Convalescence, and Visit to

the celebrated Antiquary D. Giuseppe Capodieci-Public Library of Syracuse-Monument

of Hierocles-National Museum, Torso of Venus, Statues of Esculapius, Apollo, &c. Head

of Jupiter Eleutherius, Marble Sarcophagi, Greek Paintings, epitaphial Inscriptions, Monu-

ment of Perpenna; Terra-cotta Vases; Handle of a Vase inscribed with the Name of Aga-

thocles; Character of that Prince-Return to the Leon d'oro-Sail in the Great Harbour-

Promontory of Plemmyrium-Piazza, or great Square of Syracuse-Cathedral-Temple of

Minerva-Its Conversion into a Christian Church-Temple of Diana-Baths of Daphne-

Fortifications of the Isthmus-Fortress of Dionysius I.-Palace of Hiero-Roman Præto-

rium-Saracenic Fort, "Il Castello di Mahrietto"-Compendious History of Syracuse....

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