“The principal islands in the Mediterranean are Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Candia, Cyprus, Rhodes, Majorca, Minorca, and Iviza.  There are scores of smaller isles, such as Malta, Zante, Cephalonia (the two latter are included in the Ionian isles); but it would be endless work to particularize each spot of earth fertile or otherwise, inhabited or uninhabited in every sea, unless there be something positively interesting connected with them, or something important to be known concerning them.  I believe Mrs. Wilton undertakes to supply the particulars of which we are in need with respect to the various islands already specified.  Therefore I close my paper for the present”

MRS. WILTON.  “Sicily, formerly called Trinacria, from its triangular shape, is separated from Italy by the Straits of Messina, which are seven miles across.  In these straits were the ancient Scylla and Charybdis, long regarded as objects of terror; but now, owing to the improved state of navigation, they are of little consequence, and have ceased to excite fears in the hearts of the poor mariners.  The chief towns of Sicily are Messina, Palermo, and Syracuse.  In the middle of this island stands the famous burning mountain Etna.

“Of Sardinia, the chief town is Cagliari.

“Corsica is a beautifully wooded country:  its capital is Bastia.  The great Napoleon Bonaparte was borne at Ajaccio, a sea port in this island.”

MR. BARRAUD.  “There are two interesting associations with Napoleon to be seen in the Mediterranean off Toulon.  One is an old dismantled frigate, which is moored just within the watergates of the basin, and carefully roofed over and painted.  She is the ‘Muiron,’ with an inscription in large characters on the stern, as follows:—­’Cette fregate prise a Venise est celle qui ramena Napoleon d’Egypte.’  Every boat which passes from the men of war to the town must go immediately under the stern of the Muiron.  The hold of the Muiron is at present used as a dungeon for the forcats or galley-slaves who misbehave.

“The next association with the Emperor is a stately frigate in deep mourning, painted entirely black, which claims the distinction of having brought the remains of Napoleon to France.  ‘La belle Poule’ is the pride of French frigates."[2]

[Footnote 2:  Vide Sketches of Travel by Francis Schroeder.]

MRS. WILTON.  “Candia is the ancient Crete:  it is a fine fertile island, about 160 miles Jong, and 30 broad.  The famous mount Ida of heathen mythology (now only a broken rock) stands here, with many other remains of antiquity; and through nearly the whole length of this island runs the chain of White Mountains, so called on account of their snow coverings.  The island abounds with cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and game, all excellent; and the wine made there is balmy and delicious.  The people of Candia were formerly celebrated for their want of veracity; St. Paul alludes to their evil habits in the first chapter of his epistle to Titus, where he says, ’The Cretians are always liars.’  There are some remarkably ugly dogs in Candia, which seem to be a race between the wolf and the fox.