Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/447

Rh He began to build bridges, to improve the roads, to establish good means of communication, and to commence various useful reforms. He was soon suspected by the King of Naples to be too much of a Sicilian, and—was removed. Another governor was appointed who allowed the rivers to overflow the roads; the roads to become impassable, and who is an enemy to all reform. He is still there, and the Sicilians silently sigh over their inability against the superior force of Naples. The people are of a nobler type than the Neapolitans and regard themselves as of a nobler race, they are also more industrious and earnest, and still greater lovers of freedom. But the want of independence breeds in the cities frivolity and immorality, especially in Palermo, and that amongst all classes. Sicily is still rich and beautiful, as in ancient times, and is still worthy to be called the gem of the Mediterranean. In better, purer hands, it might perhaps deserve to be called the joy of humanity. Where is the spot of earth in which the grand and the pleasing are so united? At the feet of Etna, are the river Cyane, the fountain of Anapos, and the enchanting fields, where, according to the legend, Proserpine danced with her companions; and upon this soil, where the Titans strove to conquer Olympus, exist to this day, the legends and songs of the Idyls in primeval purity and innocence. Formerly it was Theocritus; in our days, it is the Sicilian poet Giovanni Melli, who sings the life of nature and man in their simplest, most inner relationship, with an inspiration as from the original source, and in language which is perfect music.