A TOUR THROUGH SICILY AND MALTA. IN A SERIES OF LETTERS то WILLIAM BECKFORD, Esq. OF SOMERLY IN SUFFOLK; FROM P. BRYDONE, F. R. S. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDONI PRINTED FOR W. STRAHAN; AND T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. HAD there been any book in our language on the subject of the following Letters, they never fhould have seen the light. The Author wrote them for the amusement of his friends, and as an affiftance to his memory; and if it will in any degree apologize for their imperfections, he can with truth declare that they never were intended for publication: nor indeed was that idea suggested to him, till long after they were written. One principal motive he will own, was the defire of giving to the world, and perhaps of transmitting to pofterity, a monument of his friendship with the gentleman to whom they are addreffed. When Mr. Forster's tranflation of Earon Riedefel's book firft appeared, thefe Letters were already in the prefs, and the Author apprehended an anticipation of his fubject; however, on perufal he had the 6 fatis fatisfaction to find, that the two works did not much interfere. In transcribing them for the press, he found it neceffary both to retrench and to amplify; by which the ease of the epistolary stile has probably fuffered, and fome of the letters have been extended much beyond their original length. He now presents them to the Public with the greatest diffidence; hoping that fome allowance will be made for the very inconvenient circumftances, little favourable to order or precifion, in which many of them were written: But he would not venture to new-model them; apprehending, that what they might gain in form and expreffion, they would probably lofe in ease and fimplicity;..and well knowing that original impreffions are better defcribed at the moment they are felt, than from the most exact recollection. the CON OF THE 1 CLIMATE of Naples-Compared with against its effects.-Coaft of Baia, &c. Voyage from Naples to Mefina-Bay of Harbour of Melfina-Charybdis-Galeys.- Vifit to a convent.-Feast of St. Francis. -Advantages of Melina for valetu- Sicilian banditti.-A famous diver.-Cha- rybdis.-Feast of the Vara.-Singular Journey to Taurominum.-Coaft of Sicily- |