NAVY.-There are resources for the formation of a navy, sufficient to establish the respectability of the island, but from circumstances unexplained, they have hitherto equipped only flotilla vessels, and the gun-boats in commission, are principally employed in the service of the health office. The sailors are cheerful, hardy, and daring, and from my service with them, I can bear testimony to their temperance, sobriety, and personal courage. They are, on the other hand, very superstitious, for every vessel has its tutelary saint, and every sea-port its churches and chapels lined with votive pictures of miraculous escapes from the perils of the sea.

ARTISTS.-The modern Sicilian painters discover but little of the elevated conception of art, by which the energetic productions of such masters as Alibrandi, Novelli, Antonello, Rodriguez, and Rasiliba, are so eminently distinguished from the cold academic studies of the day. Excepting in Riolo, Patania, Velasquez, and the brothers Subba, painting at present seems rather a trade than an art, and in their stiff landscapes and monotonous figures, a florid style of colouring is substituted for feeling, for taste, and for sentiment.

The art of sculpture at present is in so very languid a state, that I cannot recollect a specimen worth particular notice, though the works of Gaggini, Tipa, and other natives of the island, who had made some progress in this art, are in sufficient number to stimulate exertion. Engraving has never flourished, it is as yet in a very humble state, and many of the most valuable publications of Palermo and Catania, are extremely disfigured by the scratchings of Antonio Zacca.

MECHANICS.-The various mechanics are ingenious as copyists, but being too observant of the numerous holidays of their rubric,

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and indulging in the indolence fostered by them, they do not rise above mediocrity in their respective branches; nor do they appear to entertain any idea of the advantages to be derived from constant employment, or the benefit of working for a moderate profit. Shopkeepers, although from the little business they transact, they appear scarcely able to subsist, are mostly so sluggish, as rather to permit a customer to depart than reach a parcel from an upper shelf, or unpack many articles for his inspection.

PHYSIC.-Fortunately for the public, though medicine has made but little progress, no person can practise physic, or sell drugs, without acquiring the requisite qualifications, and the previous approbation of government after due examination.

LAWYERS.-Though they are free from quacks in the healing art, they are pestered with a very numerous tribe of pettifogging empirics in the law, nicknamed "paglietti," or men of straw, by whose wakeful chicanery, that bane of civilized society, litigation, is rendered quite unavoidable. The profession of the law, being almost the only road to distinction, is so eagerly embraced, that in Palermo alone, the advocates, solicitors, notaries, clerks, &c., are said to amount to four thousand, and such is the venal administration of the penal and judicial codes, that in the constant cavilling of their courts, large fortunes are reaped by men of but inferior talents. There is no person of the most moderate income, who does not find it necessary, regularly to pay an annual retaining fee to one or more solicitors.

PEASANTS.-The peasants are distinguished by a peculiar dress, in which the most remarkable parts are a broad leathern belt, a white cotton cap, or a silk net for the hair, (not unlike that on some of the

ancient Syracusan coins,) and very large silver buckles to the shoes. They are industrious and sober, with better domestic feelings than the citizens, and frequently exhibit considerable intelligence through a cloud of that peculiar and suspicious cunning called “scaltrezza.” Owing to their general ignorance, they are extremely credulous and superstitious. They are, however, rather bigots than fanatics, shewing acts of civility and kindness to such heretical strangers as are thrown in their way.

MARRIAGES.-Weddings are generally managed by the friends of the parties, who arrange the affairs, and settle the bride's dota, or dowry, which, in families of rank, is often a daily stipend from the patrimony, and some jewels, effects, and presents, which used all to be returned to her father if she died without issue, though by the new code, introduced in 1812, some alterations are made in this arrangement. They hold that an early marriage is the pledge of industry and morality, and such are common; but a man cannot enter into the nuptial state, without the consent of his parents, until he has attained the age of thirty; though, if he should elope with a female, and apply to a bishop, the prelate cannot refuse to unite them, without incurring the odium of the consequent immorality. Bans are published for three Sundays, but may be dispensed with on proper application. If the ceremony takes place in the morning, it is previously necessary for the parties to confess, hear mass, and receive the sacrament, all which may be avoided by being married in the evening; the sooner afterwards, however, they accomplish these devotions, the better it is considered.

In many parts it is customary to give a spoonful of honey to the bride and bridegroom on their leaving the church, and to throw wheat on them, as presages of happiness and fertility; and if the sun shine at the same time, it is esteemed auspicious. At the