the upper part, and subdivided into several spacious chambers by rude pillars formed of the rock, out of which the cavern was excavated; a work that must have cost infinite labour, and employed armies to accomplish. In the spacious area before the entrance of the caverns, is an high white infulated rock; on the top are the ruins of a building, perhaps a guard-house; and near are seen the remains of an ancient aqueduct. The rocks furrounding the area are so smooth, and so artfully project toward the fummit, that to climb them would be impoffible. Near the top appear the remains of an earthen-ware channel to convey water from the aqueduct to the caverns below. There is also another cavern in the fame direction with the last-mentioned, but blackened with the fmoke of furnaces used to extract the falt of nitre: it is of a fimilar form, but of lefs dimensions. Near these caverns we discovered the remains of a bath, of an oblong form; the water within it perfectly clear, and of an icy coldness; from the top are suspended large maffes of petrified stalactites, which daily increase by water dripping from above. The approach to this place is hid among plants that have for ages been fuffered to grow in wild luxuriance, and in festoons of various kinds overhang the entrance, forming a most romantic retreat. We next vifited the remains of a Roman theatre hewn chiefly out of the rock: which, of course, has fuffered little from the injuries of time, but all that was built on this foundation is destroyed. The fituation is perfectly beautiful; the spectators having a full view of the Bay, with the island of Ortygia, and the rich plains through which the Anapus winds, it even now presents a most picturesque appearance. The white steps are nearly hid by bushes and flowery fhrubs of various kinds, and the waters escaping from a refervoir above, come tumbling down the rocks in broken torrents. Being fomewhat tired with our walk, we poftponed making further researches till the next day, when we again, at an early hour, landed at the ufual place. Before we proceeded to explore the venerable remains of paft ages, we determined to inspect the more modern edifices that adorn the present city. The first place that we proceeded to was an open area, or piazza, in which are the principal buildings of the city: the annexed plate will give the reader a tolerably correct idea of it. On the right is the Bishop's palace adjoining the cathedral, which I have before obferved was built on the ruins of the Temple of Minerva. This view fhews the elevation of the modern façade erected on the scite of the old portico. History informs us, that on the summit of the ancient portico was suspended a shining buckler which could be feen at a vast distance. No fooner did the Syracufan mariner lose fight of this talisman, than he threw offerings of honey, flowers, and afhes into the fea to render Neptune and Minerva propitious to his voyage, and ensure his safe return. The modern front is perfectly incongruous with the rest of the building; it is of the Corinthian order, and highly ornamented with Coloffal ftatues. The afcent to it |