Sardinia was noted in ancient times for its mines, which were worked to a great extent, as is attested by vast excavations and remains of foundries. South-west of Iglesias is Monte d'Oru, which appears to have derived its name from the gold formerly extracted from it ; the mountain bee been reduced by excavation to a mere shell. Iron- and lead-ore are found in abundance in many places, as well as copper, silver, and quicksilver. In the eastern mountains are found porphyry, basalt, alabaster, and marble. Chalcedonies, jaspers, carnelians, sar donyx, turquoises, and rock-crystal are found in the districts of Sulci and other mountains of the west. Other mineral products are fossil wood, lignite, and inferior coal; alum, nitre, amianthus, asbestos, and a mixture of carbonate of lime and alumina, which is used by the natives in washing. There are numerous mineral springs. They are however unprovided with buildings or any sort of accommodation for invalids. Vestiges of ancient therms; exist at the sulphureous springs of Fordongianus.
The population of Sardinia amounted in 1833 to 491,973; in 1848 to 547,112. The island is divided into 3 administrative districts : Cagliari, which comprises the south and south-west parts of the island ; Nuoro the east ; and Sassari the north and north-west The administrative division of Cagliari contains the following provinces : Cagliari, population 106,888; Iglesias, 42,598; Isili, 48,958; and Oristano, 78,189. The administrative division of Nuoro contains the provinces of Nuoro, population 58,882; Cnglieri, 87,522; Lanusci, 27,530. In the administrative division of Sassari are the provinces of Sassari, population 65,821; Alghero, 34,108 ; Ozieri, 24,456 ; and Tempio, 22,660. For ecclesiastical purposes the island is divided into eleven dioceses :—Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari, Galtelli-Nuovo, Iglesias, Ales, Alghero, Ampuriase Civita, Boma, Bisarcio, and Ogllastra. Cag liari, Suomi, and Oristano are archbishops sass. The Roman Catholic is the only religion of the country. Over each of the administrative divisions there is an intendant-general, appointed by the king.
The earliest inhabitants of the island were Celts, among whom the Phcenicians formed settlements; to these Iberians and Ligurians, Greeks and Etruscans were successivelyjoined; and afterwards an infusion of Carthaginian and of Roman blood was added. In later times Piaans and Spaniards settled in the towns and lower country, but in the highland', the population has remained almost purely Celtic, and may be considered as the real descendants of the old Sardis who struggled bard against both Carthage and Rome. The Sande are of a middle stature, and well formed, with dark eyes and coarse black hair, though fresh complexions and blue eyes are else seen in the mountains. In the Carispidano they are more swarthy than in the north part of the island, and have generally a large mouth and thick lips. They have strong intellectual faculties, though mostly
uncultivated, and an enthusiastic attachment to their country and their native district, in consequence of which families seldom remove or disperse. They are kind and hospitable, but easily offended and excited to revenge. If the family of the sufferer in a blood feud has influence enough to stir justice into active measures against the offender, the latter flies to the mountains, where ho joins others of a similar description, and becomes a robber.
Italian is the language of the government, and is also spoken by all educated persons in the large towns. The native tongue is derived from the Latin, with an admixture of words of Greek and Arabic origin. The natives of the Barbargia district pride themselves on the number of Greek words which they retain, and their distinct but harsh and guttural enunciation, which is with difficulty nttalned by the rest of the Sards. At Alghero the Catalonian is generally spoken.
The villages are generally large and well situated, but with unpaved narrow streets, mean houses, and a general want of comfort Large dunghills disfigure the principal avenues. The villages in the GaRare are built of granite blocks, and in the other northern districts of free stone; but in the southern division of the island most houses in the country are built of sun-dried bricks. The dwellings of the peasants have generally only one story, without windows, or if they have windows, they are not glazed. A whole family often dwells in a single room, with their chickens, dogs, and kids, whilst the patient ass turns the mill in a corner. Throughout the island the cittadini, or inhabit ants of walled towns, hold the contadiui, or villagers, in utter contempt, a feeling which is cordially returned by the rustics, besides which the people of Cagliari and those of Sassari mutually hate each other. Kissing on meeting is an indispensable custom among men of all ranks.
The Sards are fond of feasting; they drink wines and cordials, rarely to excess. Fine wheaten bread is in general use, except among the shepherds of the eastern highlands, who eat a coarse kind of bread, and sometimes acorns. The Sards eat more butcher's meat than the Sicilians or South Italians. Poultry is rather scarce, but game is plentiful. The only mode of travelling for both sexes is on horseback. There are few coaches, and those only in the large towns, and the country people regard them as articles of effeminate luxury. A high rend, 125 miles in length, runs from Cagliari to Sassari, passing through ()listen°, and keeping as much as possible along the western plains. There are branch roads to the most important towns in the interior. The eastern highlands still remain difficult of access.