Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-10-25
Letter from The Mediterranean.
u. s. FRIoATE CONSTITUTION,
Palermo August 1919

Palermo august, 1919
DEAR FATHER Since the last letter that had the plea
Of writing you, have again altered position in
this wide and changeable world Of ours On the 10Th of
this month left abe city of Messna for this place. We
had very fine passage indeed after clearing the stats Of
Mes>ia. We had the group Of islands called oians
pass through The most remarkable Of which the bum
ing Mount # Stromboli, which passed within eight
miles Of 1t very steep and uniformly from the
waters edge the summit from which smoke constantly
issues forth, aud during the night flames often
Notwithstanding the smalness of the island, which is
nine miles in circumference. merely the base of the
tau aud also the impOssby of escape 10 of erup
tion still very small point the ~ w. side Of the
island situated small town, which think rather
than should wish to live to so doubtful place.
On the 2ls made the Bay of Palermo. In approach
ing this city from seawad presents beautiful ap-
pearance the Bay forms graceful sweep along the
the domes and spires conspcuousy above
surrounding buildings several Of its buildings being Sara
cenc and Chadee inscription which found within its
WALL give strength TO the opinion that il originally
BY emigans from Chsldea and Damascus. The adjacent
plain exhibits converts villas and cottages omantcaiIy in
tepesed among the luxurant foliage while the beautiful
valley which the city is situated by
an uncommony luxuriant valley its Inhabitants, together
with the suburbs amount to about hundred thousand
report The city is the most regular built place that
have yet been in Italy, Ii has splendid drive the
Bay. called the Marina planted with tIees and also
small edfce where splendid band Of musicians
every evening il is astonishing what taste the
Italians have for music Hundreds of the nobility
classes collect arosnd carriages aud foot the minsle The
band strikes up, and to note and know
every part
The principal streets of the city are very respectable
streets for Italian city, of tolersbe good width good
carriage sseets but not SO eommodus for walkers the
with most places in Italy. he principal
inerseci each other at right angles in the # the city,
and are about mile in length lined wirh shops, fine
Tor Italy, the ground floor of all the buildings private
well public The houses these very good
considering where they
There great many places Palermo aud its envi-
| traYe lleTs o
There several very nice churches in the city, One the
Duomo dedicated Santa Rosaa, the patroness of Paer
no. said to have been erected in the 18th century by the
Norman Prince uggero II built both in the Norman Gothic
and Saracenc structure II is very richly onamented with
all kind of precious stones, mosaic sc and the altar Of the
chapel OF Santa Rosaa Of solid silver and the
relics of The princess in silver sarcophagu They said
be OF geat valne Neither the altar sarcOphagus
exhibited public view except when the Feie of the Santa
is celebrated The Monte PeiegTno just outside the city,
and overlooking the city and sea, celebrated for having
the Of young and smiabe enthusiast the
| Of William the Good, Santa Rosaia in the prime Of
youth and beauty withdrew from the world and devoted her
self TO religious obseIvances On the mountain although
not the summit, is gIotto which contains church
seca ed To Santa Rsaa In which is her statue, exhibiting
young, beautiful female recumben posture, resting
aud covered with splendid robe Of solid gold She is the
ssnted pruecITess OF Palermo There several other
nice churches palaces Universita des Sud and picture
g2Isfies IN the city, worthy Of visiting.
| the vicinity OF the city several very fine villas,
mostly belonging to the nObemen of the Kingdom. The
Duke of Sierra di Fales has beautiful villa which visit
ed II is pTofu>ey and richly adorned with shubbey
flowers and other vegetable productions Of the four
Of the GLOBE Of the choice descriptions 1t also has
very fine labyrinth connected with it, in which several
figures Of monks placed in small hermitage that upon
approaching them the door flies open and they be
alive The royal villa is also splendid and has several
drives
also visited the convent of Cappuccini in which the
custom exists of drying the defunct brethren, and when
dressed they placed inches belonging catacomb
the church. that their friends may visit and pray by
them annually Others Also besides those belonging to the
holy orders, placed in glass for preservation You
Iuao ghafa i'm %
three hundred old monks dressed the costume OF he
holy oder standing in the inches of the WALL with their
chastity grns staring in the face would present To
stranger TO such scenes But more Of bOne0iogy)
The captain. who by the quite sick, and has been
for time account of excitement received
letter from the consul at Naples arrival al this
place. with list OF letters which have arrived there since
we le and it afforded great deal Of pleasure to hnd
one for me, which believe is from you. IL
will be the first that have received since we left
LeghOrn, which is about four months; very long time
without having received letter from home.
We expect to sail fom this place in few days for Ma
pies How long shall remain there more Than ar
able says but do think that will be veIy long; be-
shall have winter quarters in abou
months before which will have 10 to
depot at Spezza TO fill up with provisions. Commodore
Morgan, who in the steamship Mississippi before
left Naples, says that he thinks he will make AncOna,
small place the eastern coast Of Italy, winter quar-
eIs. should g,eat deal rather that would wuter
Genoa, as il is a larger and pleassnteI place.
Remember TO all inquiring friends, and should b
happy hear from them Write and always be-
lieve me to be your affectionae son, GEORGE
HE above letter was detained on the way severa
weeks, for some reason. Another letter, dated
month later thus alludes to the death of the Captain
of the ship.
regret veiy much to that Capt John Gwinn Of thi
ship departed this life the 4th Sept. Palermo, after
oug and illness. had attended anxousy upon hin
all the time that he attached TO this ship, account
the excitement and anxiety he experiencedhe
constantly in fear for the safety of the ship He toe
old send to sea- being unable to stand the hardship
responsibilities Of active seafe He between
% and 60 Of This is the with most of
Captains An officer loses all his energy and activity
before he gets TO be commander Of vessel Of whic
is the in other navies Capt Gwinn very muc
regretted by the officers. He very kD and easy will
while he had command Of the ship The death Of thu
Captain will be very heavy stroke TO his family, who resid
Phade pha But it the will Of God and it must
enforced"