PALERMO. 
17 
parent that the public interests would allow such a course to 
be pursued. 
Next to Naples, the harbor of Palermo is perhaps the 
most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Indeed, many con¬ 
sider it quite equal in picturesque effect to Naples; for, 
although it has not Mount Vesuvius, or the breadth and ex¬ 
tent of shore line, yet the eye comprehends more at a glance, 
and a nearer approach is permitted without destroying the 
scenic beauty of the mountains and villas. At a sufficient 
distance to embrace a complete view of Naples and its en¬ 
virons, the city is almost lost; but the finest view of Paler¬ 
mo is just opposite the town, within a mile or two. The 
harbor forms a beautiful crescent, surrounded by hills covered 
with verdure throughout the greater part of the year; villas 
and orange groves adorn every prominent point; rich gar¬ 
dens lie along the shores ; vessels of many nations float sleep¬ 
ily on the smooth waters of the bay; fishing-boats, crowded 
with sunburnt crews, ply merrily through the flashing brine; 
and along the wharves groups of swarthy sailors, quite like 
the piratical-looking fellows you see in the French prints, are 
constantly lounging, smoking, chatting in strange tongues, 
and casting sly glances at the Sicilian belles, who look like 
operatic chorus-singers; and then there are pale Italians 
without number, and occasional Greeks; with a sprinkling 
of American and fresh-looking English captains, to give va¬ 
riety and animation to the scene. There is an aspect of 
business activity about the streets and shops of Palermo, not 
a little cheering after one has been mouldering for some time 
among old ruins and cities of by-gone prosperity. Yet Paler¬ 
mo is not what it might be under a judicious system of gov¬ 
ernment. I hold myself in readiness to apologize for the re¬ 
mark, when called upon, to his Majesty the King of the two 
Sicilies, and to declare, if required, that the Neapolitan 
States are well governed ; that the people are well governed; 
that I never saw so many soldiers and so much governing in 
all my life. Every man seems to be individually governed, 
and so careful is his Majesty of the faithful administration 
of the laws and the personal security of his subjects, that the 
