584 ITALY. 



Capri, the ancient Caprea, is an island to which Augustus C assay 

 often came for his health ana recreation, and widen Tiberius made a 

 scene of the most infamous pleasures- It lies tnree Italian miles from 

 Shat part of the main land which projects farthest into the sea. It ex- 

 pends four miles in length from east to west, and about one in breadth. 

 The western part is, for about two miles, a continued rock, very high r 

 and inaccessible next the sea; yet Ano Capri, the largest town of the 

 island, is situated here ; and in this part are several places covered 

 with a very fruitful soil. The eastern end of the island also rises up 

 in precipices that are nearly as high, though not quite so long, as the 

 western. Between the rocky mountains, at each end, is a slip of low- 

 er ground that runs across the island, and is one of the pleasantest 

 spots that can easily be conceived. It is covered with myrtles, olives, 

 almonds, oranges, figs, vineyards, and corn fields, which look extreme- 

 ly fresh and beautiful, and afford a most delightful little landscape, 

 when viewed from the tops of the neighbouring mountains. Here is 

 situated the town of Caprea, two or three convents, and the bishop's 

 palace. In the midst of the fertile tract rises a hill, which in the reign 

 of Tiberius was probably covered with buildings, some remains of 

 which are still to be seen. But the most considerable ruins are at 

 the extremity of the eastern promontory. 



From this place there is a very noble prospect ; on one side of it 

 the sea extends further than the eye can reach ; just opposite is the 

 green promontory of Sarentum,and on the other sicie the bay of Naples. 



Ischia, and some other islands on the coasts of Naples and Italy, 

 have nothing to distinguish them but the ruins of their antiquities, 

 and their being now beautiful summer retreats for their owners. Elba 

 has been renowned for its mines from a period beyond the reach of 

 history. Virgil and Aristotle mention it. Its situation is about ten 

 miles south-west from Tuscany, and it is 80 miles in circumference, 

 containing near 7000 inhabitants. It was divided between the king 

 of Naples, to whom Porto Longone belongs, the great duke of Tus- 

 cany, who was master of Porto Ferraio, and the prince of Piombino. 

 The fruits and wine of the island are very good, and the tunnery, 

 fisheries, and salt, produce a good revenue. It is now the residence 

 ©f Napoleon Bonaparte, late emperor of France and king of Italy, and 

 is all that remains to one, who was, but lately, the most powerful 

 monarch of the world. 



Lipaki Islands These islands lie to the north of Sicily, and 



were anciently called the iEolian islands. They are twelve in 

 number, viz. Lipari, Stromboli, Vulcano, Saline, Felicuda, Alicu- 

 da, Panaria, Vulcanello, Basiluzzo, Lisca Bianca, Dattolo, and Fila 

 Navi. They are subject to the king of Sicily, and produce great 

 quantities of alum, sulphur, nitre, cinnabar, and most kinds of fruits, 

 particularly raisins, currants, and figs, in great perfection. Some of 

 their wines are much esteemed, especially the Malvasia or Malmsey. 

 Great quantities of pumice are exported from Lipari. All these 

 islands are of volcanic origin, and Stromboli has a considerable vol- 

 cano, which is remarkable for being continually in a state of eruption. 

 The number of inhabitants in Lipari amounts to between 9 and 10,000, 

 and those of Stromboli to about 1000; but Vulcano is uninhabited, and 

 several of the other islands are little more than barren rocks. 



We shall here mention the isle of Malta, though it is not properly- 

 ranked with the Italian islands. It was formerly called Melita, and is 

 situated in 15 degrees E. long, and 35 degrees N. lat. 60 miles south 



