(.833 ) 
high and curioufly built Steeple. Here were a great ma- 
ny Nunneries,* amongft the reft, the Monafcery of the 
Trinity, and that of St. Benedict with that Prodigy of 
Workmanfhip the magnificent Monaftery of SuNicho/as, 
with its Temple, a place famous for feveral Reliques. 
Next the Jefuits Colledge, the Convent of the Minorites, 
and two of the Dominicans, the beautiful one of Capu- 
chins, the Imperial Convent of the Carmelites, that of 
the Reformed Minorites, that of the Reformed Augu* 
Mines, with feveral other Frieries, with an infinite num- 
ber of Ancient and Modern Churches , Colleges, and 
other Publick Buildings, inhabited by about 23000 Souls, 
its Nobility many and ancient. Learning was here in 
its Glory ; the Citizens were themfelves Learned, and 
Lovers of Knowledge, affifted with the many Priv Hedges 
granted by the King. The Univerfity, where the Learn- 
ed Laurel was conter'd on the worthy, made this place 
the Sicilian Athens. This cnce fo famous, now unhap- 
py Catania, had the greateft fliare in this Tragedy. Fa- 
ther Antonio Serrovita y who was to preach at Catania 
the Lent following, was on his way thither on the 
-nth, at 20 hours and J, and at the diftance of a few 
Tvliles ; he obferved a black Cloud like Night hovering 
over the City ; that there arofe from the Mouth of Mon* 
; gibello great Spires of Flame, which fpread themfelves 
all round, that the Sea. all of a fuddain began to roar, 
and raife it (elf in (Welling Billows, that there was a 
' very great arid dreadful Blow, as if all tfc Artillery in 
the World had bean at once difcharged that the Birds 
flew about aftonifh'd in the Air ; that the B-afb and 
Cattle in the Fields, ran crying about affrighted ; time 
his and his Companions Hories were fb ftartled, that they 
ftood flock dill, trembling fo as they were forced to 
alight, which they had no fooner done, but they were 
lifted from the Ground above two Palms; and calling 
his Eyes toward Catania, he with Amazement (aw nc- 
Q. q thing 
