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LETTERS FROM 
expected our arrival, came into the house in 
a violent passion, threatening vengeance on 
our host, and on every member of his family, 
who, in return, made no scruple of abusing 
both priest and servant in terms that showed 
no great reverence for their pastor. Of 
course, we took no part in the fray, which 
ended as conflicts of this kind generally do 
where about a dozen tongues are opposed to 
one, in the weaker party being at length 
overpowered and compelled to quit the field. 
We were most comfortably entertained at 
this little inn, and were agreeably surprised 
to find, that the beds, besides being clean 
and dry, were entirely free from Jleas. 
In the morning we sent the carriage on to 
meet us on the road, while we ascended the 
hill above Giardini to Taormina to visit the 
remains of a very large theatre. As we 
climbed the steep path, we found several 
