82 
A GIRA THROUGH SICILY, 
myself), a species of Italian formed chiefly of Arabic, French, 
Tuscan, Neapolitan, and English, hut chiefly of English 
Italianized by copious additions of vowels at the end of every 
word. Yielding, however, to the superior zeal of our English 
friend, Mr. Pipkins, we kept modestly in the rear, while he 
took the middle of the main street, and kept a sharp lookout 
for any intelligent-looking man that had the appearance of 
understanding French. “ Parlez vous Frangais, monsieur 
said Pipkins to the very first man he met. “ Nein /” replied 
the man, “ sprechen Sie Deutsch ?” “ Talk to him in Hindoo,” 
said Mr. Pipkins. The major addressed him accordingly in 
Hindoo. “ Nicht ,” said the man. “ Mayhe he understands 
Italian, 5 ’ suggested the major. “Parle Italiana ?” said I, 
“ Si, signor, un poco” “ Dove il breecha in the Muro ,” said 
I, going to the full extent of my Italian. The man looked 
puzzled, but, not wishing to appeal ignorant, addressed me in 
such a complicated mixture of German and Sicilian that I had 
to stop him at length. “ Si, si, grazia .” “ What does he 
say?” inquired Mr. Pipkins. “I think he says the wall is 
somewhere outside the city; but he speaks abominable 
Italian.” “ Humph ! never mind ; here’s a gentleman that 
speaks French, I’m certain. Monsieur ! I say, monsieur!” 
(calling to a stiff-looking man just passing), “ Parlez vous 
Francais , monsieur ? ” “ No, signor; Italiana .” Upon this 
hint I spake Italian, as before. The stiff man unbent him¬ 
self, and politely conducted us round the corner, where he 
showed us the ancient church ; and bidding us adieu, went 
his way with the same grave and studied aspect. I shall 
never forget the look of mingled doubt and disappointment 
with which my venerable English friend surveyed me. “ Did 
you ask him for a church ?” “ No, I asked him for the wall 
with the breach in it.” From that moment, I believe Mr. 
Pipkins suspected me of bad Italian. Disappointment, how¬ 
ever, only added to his zeal. Pushing on with a determined 
step, he led the way through innumerable streets, till at 
length we reached an open piazza, where we halted close by 
a hack-stand to gain breath and take an observation Here 
we were soon surrounded by such an eager gang of vetturini, 
