CHAPTER XIV.

Unprecedented cold of 1883--Departure from Naples--Virgil's tomb--Journey to Messina--Italy's future--Scylla and Charybdis --Beautiful Messina--The "_Electrico_"--Malta--Knight Crusaders --Maltese Society--An uncommon fish--An earthquake at sea--Journey to Palermo--Picturesque scenery--Etna--Among the mountains--The lights of Palermo 168