Sicily has long been celebrated for the fertility of its soil. Excepting in the vicinity of /Etna, the soil is calcareous loamy mould of considerable depth.
The copious dews of June supply the want of rain, and the melted snows which fill the rivulets with water, afford excellent means of irrigation. Although it is not cultivated at present, as when Sicily was deemed the granary of Rome, yet the crops of wheat are so abundant, as not only to supply the inhabitants, but to leave a considerable surplus for exportation. It was only, however, in 1819, that the export of corn was declared to be free. Mr. Brydone assures us, that one good crop of wheat is sufficient to feed the island for seven years. Large quantities of barley and pulse grow on the island; and maize, flax, hemp, aloes, saf fron, wine and cotton, are among its productions. Canary bird seed, which is almost peculiar to this island, is exported in large quantities. Potatoes were introduced in the eighteenth century; and in conse quence of the goodness of the pasturage, milk, cheese, and butter are obtained in considerable quantities.t Silk is considered the second source of riches in Sicily. The management of the silk worms, and the art of manufacturing the silk, were introduced by Roger, king of Sicily: a quantity of silk, equal in value to a million of ducats, or .E187,500 sterling, was annually exported, but this has greatly declined. Palermo and Messina are the principal seats of the manufacture. Palermo employed 900 looms, Messina 1200, and Catania rather more. Palermo exports little. A variety of silken fabrics, made at Messina, went to the Levant. Cotton, linen, and woollen goods are likewise manufactured in these three towns, and also bits, cutlery, harness, carriages, and household furni ture. Large quantities of oil were exported from ports in the north of the island, and also wines and brandy. The fisheries are productive, and great quantities of herring, anchovies, and sardines, are sold and ex ported.
Sicily has not yet attained that commercial import ance to which it is entitled from the excellence of its harbours, and the safety of its shores, for navigation.
Its inland communications are fettered by the want of roads; and the want of banks, insurance offices, toge ther with a bad system of quarantine laws, retard the progress of its commerce. The principal exports from Sicily are corn, nuts, hemp,fiax, senna, oil, wine, sulphur, fish, silk, and fruits, the whole amount of which is said not to exceed 11,000,000 ducats, or about X240,000 Sterling4 The imports, which consist of colonial produce, hardware, jewellery, lead, and ma nufactured articles, are estimated at the same sum as the exports. Money accounts are kee in ounces, taris, and grains.
1 Grain equal to Sterling.
20 Grains equal to 1 lari, or 5d. Sterling.
30 Tanis equal to 1 ounce, or 12s. Gd. Sterling.
Sicily abounds in valuable minerals. Mineral springs, both hot and cold, frequently occur. Iron and cop per are found in the region of :Etna, and cinnabar sulphur, alum, nitre, and sulphate of iron also occur. A large mine of coal has been discovered near Messina, and salt mines have been found near Castro Giovanni in the middle of the island. The quarries of marble are numerous, and good building stone is found in almost every part of the island. Porphyry, jasper, and agates likewise occur.
Sicily used to be governed by a viceroy, in whose absence the archbishop of was regent. The parliament, before its reformation in 1810, was com posed of three branches, viz. 229 nobles, 66 prelates, and 43 dcmaniale or deputies from cities, universities, and crown estates. Out of each of these branches four deputies were chosen to conduct the public busi ness. The ecclesiastical government is in the hands of three archbishops and seven bishops. The admin istration of justice was in a very deplorable state, and of this we have given some examples in our article on CATA NIA. During the residence of the British, army in Sicily from 1806 to 1816, very essential reforms were introduced both into the Sicilian parliament and the administration of justice, and we trust that these salutary changes will not be permitted to go into desuetude.