SICILY

SICILY. This island, a part of the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, has undergone few or no changes, either in its government, manners, religion, or productions, during the convulsions which, for near thirty years, have agitated every part of the continent of Europe. Upon the overthrow of the government of Murat in Naples, the royal family returned to that capital, quietly resumed the authority that had formerly been exercised, and Sicily ceased to be the seat of government. The tranquillity which followed was interrupted by the late revolution in Naples, the promoters of which resolved to force their own regimen on the unwilling Sicilians. The island was invaded by the troops of the revolutionists, and after some most bloody encounters, was

compelled to submit to the dictation of the triumphant party. They were in their turn dispersed by the Austrians, and the ancient system in Sicily was speedily restored, to the high gratification of its inhabitants.

The commerce of this island consists in the export of the surplus of its raw productions; for its manufactures are inconsiderable, and by no means equal to the wants of the people. The chief exports are corn, nuts, hemp, flax, oil, wine, sulphur, fish, silk, and fruits; the whole amount of which does not commonly exceed 11,000,000 ducats, or about L. 240,000 Sterling. The imports are of nearly the same value.

The revenues of the island, in the year 1820, amounted to 1,637,332 ounces, or about L. 200,000, and the expenditure to 1,665,355. The expences are restricted to 1,817,680 ounces; of which sum 150,000 ounces are applied to the discharge of that part of the public debt which bears no interest, and after that is liquidated, to form a sinking fund to extinguish those on which interest is payable: the amount of the latter is not known to the public.

The regular Sicilian army, including the different branches of horse, foot, and artillery, amounts to 10,000 men, besides which there is a militia force of 8000. The Sicilian navy is now united with that of the kingdom in general. The arrangements respecting the forces are at present (1823) undergoing revision, and therefore in a temporary state of confusion.

Sicily has been recently divided into seven Intendancies, instead of the three great provinces, which before formed its component parts. These Intendancies, and their population, and principal cities, are as follows:

The whole extent of the island is calculated to be 12,533 square miles.

See Vaughan's Views of the present State of Sicily, 1812. Thompson's Sicily and its Inhabitants, 1815. Smyth's Sicily and its Islands, 1823. (w. w.)