TAOEMINA. 
17 
other authentic histories in which I could believe, without 
doing violence to common sense. Fortunately, however, I 
have friends who are of a different way of thinking, and who 
consider that the best and most reliable sources of knowl¬ 
edge are to be found in classical history. I am indebted to 
Mr. Alexander Clements, United States Consul at Messina, 
who is a most esteemed fellow-townsman, for a sketch of 
Taormina, translated from the Italian, which I have taken 
the liberty to condense. I have since had the pleasure of 
seeing a fine view of the ruins, painted by Mr. Clements ; 
and I am glad to learn that he contemplates a work illustrat¬ 
ing the beauties of Sicilian scenery, with historical sketches 
from sources not usually accessible to persons unacquainted 
with the language. 
Taormina was once a very rich and notable city ; and 
was called Taurominum , because it was built upon the 
summit of Mount Taurus. It was founded by Andromaches, 
father of the historian Timeos, in concert with the inhabitants 
of Naxos, after the tyrant Dionysius had destroyed the latter 
city. Taormina has been so often exposed to the vicissi¬ 
tudes of war, and especially in the times of the Saracens, 
who in the year 893 razed it to the ground, that its pop¬ 
ulation, once most numerous, is now reduced to about 3000 
souls. Earthquakes, especially that of 1693, have likewise 
contributed to the fall of the city; and it is probable that 
this state of ruin and depopulation will continue in conse¬ 
quence of the town of Giardini being since founded in a much 
more advantageous position for all the relations of commerce. 
It is easy to comprehend why fugitives from slavery or death 
should found a city upon a rock, almost inaccessible; but it 
seems a marvel that in times of peace the inhabitants have 
not abandoned their aerial retreat, and descended to a more 
convenient place. The suburbs of Taormina contain many 
interesting antiquities, and the ruins of its theatre are in a 
position so picturesque that they are incomparably more strik¬ 
ing than any in Sicily. Of less importance among the anti¬ 
quities are the ruins of a cistern, of a gymnasium, a little 
temple and some tombs. The most notable of all the ruins, 
