from the Italian bandito; persons proscribed or, as we call it, outlawed: sometimes denominated banniti or foris banniti. It is also a denomination given to highwaymen or robbers who infest the roads in troops, especially in Italy, France, and Sicily. Mr Brydone, in his Tour through Sicily, informs us, that in the eastern part, called Val Demont, from the devils that are supposed to inhabit Mount Aetna, it has ever been found altogether impracticable to extirpate the banditti; there being numberless caverns and subterraneous passages round that mountain, where no troops could possibly pursue them: besides, they are known to be perfectly determined and resolute, never failing to take a dreadful revenge on all who have offended them. Hence the prince of Villa Franca has embraced it, not only as the safest, but likewise as the wisest and most political scheme, to become their declared patron and protector: and such of them as think proper to leave the mountains and forests, though perhaps only for a time, are sure to meet with good encouragement and a certain protection in his service, where they enjoy the most unbounded confidence, which, in no instance, they have ever yet been found to make an improper or a dishonourable use of. They are clothed in the prince's livery, yellow and green, with silver lace; and wear likewise a badge of their honourable order, which entitles them to universal fear and respect from the people.

In some circumstances, these banditti are the most respectable people of the island, and have by much the highest and most romantic notions of what they call their point of honour. However criminal they may be with regard to society in general; yet, with respect to one another, and to every person to whom they have once professed it, they have ever maintained the most unshaken fidelity. The magistrates have often been obliged to protect them, and pay them court, as they are known to be perfectly determined and desperate, and so extremely vindictive, that they will certainly put any person to death that has ever given Banditti given them just cause of provocation. On the other hand, it never was known that any person who had put himself under their protection, and showed that he had confidence in them, had cause to repent of it, or was injured by any of them in the most minute trifle; but, on the contrary, they will protect him from impositions of every kind, and scorn to go halves with the landlord, like most other conductors and travelling servants, and will defend him with their lives if there is occasion. Those of their number who have thus enlisted themselves in the service of society, are known and respected by the other banditti all over the island; and the persons of those they accompany are ever held sacred. For these reasons, most travellers choose to hire a couple of them from town to town: and may thus travel over the whole island in safety.