244 On the Peftilential Difeafes which 
many, and the total want of others, of the moft nutritious 
and refrefhing vegetables of the northern climates, in defpite 
of that fertility of foil which, from time immemorial, has 
conferred on Sicily the appellation of the granary of Europe. 
_ But, notwithftanding the general pleafantnefs and health- 
fulnefs of this ifland, the concurrent teftimony of ancient and 
modern writers evinces the noxious condition of particular 
places. The leaft ftagnant water is fufficient, in the heats 
of fummer, to poifon the atmofphere : its effets on the coun- 
tenances of the poor people, who live in its vicinity, are very 
evident; and a ftranger, who travels through the iland m 
this feafon, ought to avoid ever paffing a night near them *. 
. As foon as the fun enters the Lion, this country becomes 
the houfe of death: fevers, of the moft malignant kind, feize 
upon the imprudent or unfortunate wretch that fpends “a 
night near them (ponds and marfhes); and few efcape with 
fife, when attacked by fo virulent a diforder+.” Inftructed, 
probably, by experience of the calamities confequent on 2 
near refidence to marfhes and ftagnaut waters, the inhabi- . 
tants in various parts of Sicily have built their towns on ad- 
joining eminences $. To avoid the dangers which befet the 
ftranger in journeying through this country in the fultry and 
autumnal feafons, was probably one of the motives of the 
Roman preetors for performing the tour of the ifland in the 
time of harveft§. By a negleét of fimilar prudence, the ce- 
lebrated M. De Non became affe&ted with a violent fever and 
ague, after an incautious expofure to the heat of the fun and 
the chill of the evening, in an unwholefome part of the 
country, and in the month of September |. 
From this brief account of the climate. of Sicily, it will be 
evident, that, how favourable foever it may be efteemed, in 
general, to the health and longevity of the natives, and how 
vegetables will not thrive in it. Currants, rafpberries, and goofeberries, 
arc unknown to the natives; and foreigners, who have attempted to eulu- 
vate them, have never been able to fucceed.” 
* Eenige Berichten, &c. 
“4+ Swinburne’s Travels, Vol. II. § 49. Dublin edit. 
+ Swinburne’s Travels, Vol. II. p. 300. Dublin edit, 
Cicero in Ver. Aét. IL. Lib. v. § 80. 
De Non’s Travels, p, 333.—Tranflation. 
a) pleafant 
/ 
