A Classical Tour Through Italy and Sicily

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1819. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... literary memoranda. Those travellers whose inclination leads them to visit countries which have been signalized in ancient history by the Greek and Roman authors, and who wish that the eye alone should not engross the whole of the novelty, but that the mind should have its share of gratification, will naturally make themselves acquainted with those ancient authors, who lived nearest the aera in which each nation flourished; and from. whose writings they will naturally expect to derive the most authentic information. We are fortunate in finding the most ample intelligence, both descriptive and historical, respecting the island of Sicily, dispersed in the volumes vol. vi. K of Thucydides, Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, and many other authors of inferior note; but I am well aware that these historical libraries cannot find room amongst the baggage of the tourist. This inconvenience is very fortunately obviated by finding all the most interesting and necessary quotations from the classic authors, collected in the "Sicilia Antiqua." by Cluverius, in one folio volume, and illustrated with maps. Those who seek further information will find it in "Fazellus de rebus Siculis;" of which there are two editions, the oldest in one folio volume, the latest (1753) in three folio volumes. The "Lexicon Topographicum Siciliae," in quarto, Palermo, 1760, will prove an useful guide. "Burigny Histoire Generale de la Sicile," 2 torn, quarto, 1745, may be added. The list of modern tourists is numerous; at the head of them I shall place the " Viaggio per tutte le antichita della Sicilia," quarto, 1781, by a native antiquary, the Prince of Biscari; "Voyages en Sicile," octavo, 1789, by De Non; and by Riedesel, octavo, 1802. Previous to these, two of our own countrymen published their journi...