48 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



the golden harvests, the plenteousness of which, in 

 ancient times, procured for the island the name of 

 the Granary of Rome ; whether the trees of every 

 sort load themselves with flowers and fruits of the 

 sweetest perfume, she at all seasons displays the 

 rich garb of fecundity. What would she be, were 

 she better seconded by the men whom her fertility 

 should render less negligent, were they more active 

 and earnest to multiply the treasures which boun- 

 tiful Nature lavishes on them with so much grace 

 and munificence ? 



The women whom 1 have seen in that part of 

 Sicily which I visited, are in general beautiful; they 

 have the character of being very susceptible of 

 tender impressions — happy disposition, for which 

 they are indebted to the mild influence of the at- 

 mosphere. Severity of climate blunts sensibility, 

 and but too often hardens the heart. 



Rich pastures feed numerous herds of beautiful 

 oxen, of the same species with those of France. 

 " They constantly differ, nevertheless, in the form 

 " of their horns, which are veiy remarkable for their 

 " length, and the regularity of their figure ; these 

 " horns have only a gentle curve, and their usual 

 *' length, measured in a straight line, is three feet, 

 iC and sometimes three feet and a half : they are all 



f< very 



