island; which became subject to Arragon, and remained in that state until the kingdom of Sicily was transferred to the house of Austria in the time of Charles the Fifth. At the peace of Utrecht Sicily was ceded to Victor Duke of Savoy; who found himself, in a few years afterwards, compelled by the Emperor Charles the Sixth to relinquish it, and accept Sardinia as an equivalent. A sudden attempt of the Spaniards to recover the island was frustrated by the activity and vigilance of our Admiral, Sir George Byng, afterwards Lord Torrington, who, in the year 1718, destroyed their fleet; but at length the infant Don Carlos drove the Germans out, and was crowned at Palermo King of the two Sicilies. When he passed into Spain for the purpose of taking possession of the crown, he transferred the Sicilian dominions to his son Ferdinand the Third of Sicily, and Fourth of Naples; in whose family it has since remained.

WE could not avoid regretting that the favorable wind soon conducted us beyond the limits of these beautiful straits, and that the Archipelago we now entered promised us no similar gratification.. Serene weather, however, and the variety of islands which we daily observed, compensated greatly for the charming prospects we had quitted, and shortly engrossed our whole attention.. The first considerable point of land we made was Cape Matapan; from whence, continuing in a north-east direction, we passed the fine island of Cerigo, formerly called.

Cythera, but at too great a distance to discover much on shore. The wind heading us, we were compelled to shape a more easterly course, and sailed between the islands of Cythnos and Seriphos, then passing Syros between Tenos and Myconos. Nothing can be more agreeable than thus sailing on a tranquil sea, surrounded by islands of various extent and beauty; but their neighbourhood, in case of storms, is dangerous; and few mariners appear perfectly at their ease so long as these spots for human residence remain in sight.

THE day after quitting Tenos, the weather being nearly calm, we observed a large ship lying to; and as we approached her, our captain's curiosity became excited to know her object. The boat, well-manned, was soon launched, and I accompanied him upon this visit of discovery. We found her to be a Sclavonian; and, from all appearance, judged her to be a pirate. She was full of men and arms, but had no cargo. The hold was perfectly open, and part of the crew were at the bottom of the ship, employed in the common avocations of seafaring men as though they generally resided there. Upon the aftermost part of the quarter-deck was a round-house, ornamented with pistols and cutlasses, where the commander and four stout well armed men were seated; who received us with great civility, offering us figs and other fruits. They made few inquiries; appeared perfectly indifferent as to our visit; but requested that the captain would

give them a spying glass, of which they had great need. Upon his assuring them he had none to spare, they did not seem disappointed or offended, but conducted us to the side with great good humour. Whether our captain's opinion was well or ill founded I cannot pretend to decide; but I confess myself inclined to adopt it, as there was no reason to suppose these people occupied in commercial pursuits; and their civility to us was most probably shown on account of our ship's appearing superior to them in point of force.

WE soon afterwards reached the western shores of Scio, and in the afternoon were tempted to land opposite an agreeable vil lage, situated about half a mile from the sea. The abundance of orange, olive, pomegranate, and other fruit-trees, rendered this part of the island extremely pleasant; and the village, which, although not extensive, was numerously peopled, from the novelty of its style, and the dresses of its inhabitants, amply grati fied my curiosity. As, however, I repeated my visit to this island, I shall defer any farther account at present, and only observe, that, after procuring some fruits and vegetables, we returned to the ship, and continued our voyage towards the gulph of Smyrna. Before we approached it the weather began to change its appearance, and flying clouds announced the heavy squalls which soon succeeded. Our captain judged it prudent. to submit, rather than contend against their violence, and bore

away for Mitylene. A small Venetian brig, exposed to the same dangers, fortunately came near enough for us to hail it; when the master promising to conduct us safely to a harbour at the southernmost part of the island, took the lead, our captain cautiously following him, until we found ourselves relieved from the turbulence of the storm, and securely anchored in a bason, surrounded by fertile hills and cultivated olive grounds. Here we enjoyed two days repose, visiting the shore occasionally, but not penetrating to any distant village, lest the first change of wind should engage our captain to set sail. Early on the third morning a fresh breeze from the land invited us to leave our tranquil situation; and continuing the whole day, we found ourselves in the evening at anchor off the castle called Sangiac, in the Gulph of Smyrna; to pass which is not allowed during the night. The following morning, having saluted the castle, we sailed gently down the harbour, and again fired thirteen guns, as a compliment to the English flag hoisted on shore.

WE had proceeded but a small distance below the castle when an Armenian and a Jew broker came on board. They had been frequently employed by the captain in his previous voyages ; and had no sooner heard of what his present cargo was composed, than they sat down to consult upon the mode of its disposal. It appeared that the Jew had been authorised to treat for certain articles; and the Armenian, therefore, was decidedly to act for

the Captain's interest. The scene which ensued was truly comic : They covered their hands with a cotton handkerchief; and the offers for purchase were made by signs understood only between themselves. Upon any disagreement, the loudest vociferation and apparent transports of passion took place; nor could any one imagine that they were seriously engaged in the purchase and sale of a valuable cargo. This ludicrous performance continued more than half an hour, when each departed in his boat to consult with the merchants, and promised an early return to the ship. Our captain, who was perfectly acquainted with Levantinę customs, assured me, that what I had seen was usual; but that, independently of the farcical mode they chose to adopt, the bro→ kers, both Jews and Armenians, were men of probity in whom he could greatly confide.

WE very soon anchored near that part of the town where the Christians reside; and, upon landing, I was introduced to the family of the merchant to whom the ship was consigned, as well as to several others; from all of whom I received the most flattering hospitality: but it was difficult to suppress a certain uneasiness at observing, for the first time, the ceremonies established even amongst our own fair countrywomen at Smyrna. As soon as the salutations which good-breeding dictates had been expressed, coffee was brought in, and sweetmeats upon a salver were handed to each guest by the mistress of the house. I cons

F