General Remarks. SICILY.
191
lians is polite and obliging; the traveller who is fortunate enough lo obtain
a recommendation to a merchant or proprietor in the interior will generally
be supplied by him with introductions to his friends in other districts.
The charges for mules vary in different parts of the island, but the maxi¬
mum may be stated at 101. per diem, which should not be exceeded. The
attendant expects a trifling additional fee. If a mule be engaged with a
guide who is also mounted, for a journey of several days, the entire charge
does not exceed 7—101. per diem. In this case, however, if the traveller
does not return to the point of starting, the return-journey must be paid
for. Toll-dues 2 c. for each mule. The lettiga or litter, the lectica of the
Romans, is still employed on the S.W. coast, but is an uncomfortable and
expensive means of conveyance and should be avoided except in cases of
illness. Those who ride should previously stipulate for a good saddle (sella
or sedda inglese), and not a "bisazza senza staffc", i. e. a saddle without
stirrups, such as the Sicilians use. On the conclusion of the bargain it is
usual to give 2—51. as earnest-money (caparra) to the mulattiere, to be
deducted from the final account.
The public security in Sicily has suffered greatly since the events
of 1860, but it is now hoped that the banditti who especially infest the
provinces of Palermo and Girgenti are almost entirely exterminated. The
provinces of 31essina and Catania, including 3It. ..-Etna, are regarded as
perfectly safe. The most hazardous locality is the environs of Palermo.
The city itself was attacked in September, 1S66. by a band of 2000 free¬
booters, who after a tierce struggle were expelled by the troops. The
following places are the most notorious harbours of brigands: 3Iisilmeri,
Ogliastro, Villafrate, Vallelunga, Termini, Parco, 31onreale, 3Iezzojuso,
Piana dei Greci, Corleone, Castellamare near Palermo, ami finally the
sulphur district near Girgenti, especially Favara, Palma and Canicatti.
During the day there is little ground tor apprehension. Those who travel
at night, and have the misfortune to be attacked, are recommended at
once to quit their vehicle and not to attempt to offer resistance. In this
case no more serious consequences will ensue than the loss of money
and watch.
The best seasons for travelling in Sicily arc the months of April and
31ay or September and October. Even in January tin1 weather is often fine
and settled. The ascent of JEtna in spring is possible, but the best period
is August or September, after the first showers of autumn have cleared the
atmosphere. The ascent is never absolutely impossible, but guides cannot
always be procured.
The Italian lire (francs) of 100 centesiini have been current in Sicily
since 1861. The lower classes, however, especially in the interior, still
employ the old oncie, tari and grani: 1 oncia (Sicil. una) = 12 I. 75 c. =
30 tari = 3 ducati di Napoli = 10s. 2iJ2tf.; 1 tari = 20 grani = 10 bajocchi
= 42'/2 cent. = i'ltd. Besides Italian and French gold and silver the old
Neapolitan piastres (piastra, pezzo) are still in use: 1 piastre = 12 tari =
51. 10c. = is. Id.; also '|2 piastres, 2-tari and 1-tari pieces. The copper-
coinage on the decimal system is now alone current: 1 1. = 20 soldi. Resides
the official metre the following standards of measurement are still employed :
1 canna = 8 palme = 2,065 metres = 2',4 yards. The palma is divided into
12 once; 1 palma = 10 Engl, inches, approximately. The cantaro = 100
rotoli = 176 lbs., is the usual standard of weight.
The time required for a tour through the entire island of Sicily must
vary greatly according to the season, the principal object in view and the
resources of the traveller. The following is a sketch of the most impor¬
tant routes. For Palermo the minimum is 3 days, to Alcaino 1, to Calata¬
fimi (Segesta) 1, to Castelvetrano 1, (to Trapani 1, 3Ionte San Giuliano and
Marsala 1, Castelvetrano 1), to Sciacca (Selinunto) 1, to Girgenti 1, at Gir¬
genti l'|2, to Palma '|2, to Terranova 1. to 3Iodica (Val d'Ispica) 1, to
Palazzolo 1, to Svracuse 1, at Syracuse 2, to Catania 1, at Catania and
ascent of ACtna 3. to Taormina 1, to Messina 1. in Messina 1, to 3Ielaz-zo 1,
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