262 
LETTERS FROM 
not been greatly exaggerated, we may con¬ 
clude that some change in the form of the 
coast, or of the bottom of the sea has dimin¬ 
ished its dangerous 'violence. 
The weather has been so cold since we 
* 
arrived here, that we have had no oppor¬ 
tunity of collecting anything, but a few 
plants. I do not think the neighbourhood 
would be very productive at any season of 
the year. 
The oil of bergamot may be purchased in 
Messina, at a very low price, and I have 
bought a considerable quantity of it. It 
is extracted from the rind of a species of 
/ 
lemon, cultivated at Reggio, anciently Rhe- 
gium, on the opposite coast, where St. Paul 
touched on his voyage from Melita towards 
Rome. But I fear that my bottles will never 
reach their destination, as we shall be sub¬ 
jected to the ordeal of two custom-house 
examinations. 
