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Morichini will be gratified to see JH when he returns through Rome. The Abate Feliciano Scarpellini is also desirous of meeting JH; he is one of the foremost makers of instruments in Italy. Weather is just becoming hot, so hopes he gets through his Sicilian tour before the heat increases.
Written from Palermo, this chatty letter describes JH's time in Italy and Sicily. JH mentions having ascended Mt. Etna and having spent the night on its summit. A second part of this letter is dated July 19 and its location is given as Naples. On way to Hanover.
Mount Etna marks furthest point of JH's journey. Travel is difficult. Both JH and servant James Child are in good health. Describes ruins of Girgente. Send future letters to Geneva or Paris. [Letter continued 3-4 July at Mount Etna:] Few lines from Casa Inglese, highest house in Europe, built by Carlo Gemmellaro for travelers. [Letter continued 5 July in Catania:] Ascent of Mount Etna.
Departure delayed by week-long feast of St. Rosalie, patron of Sicily. No vessels moving. Reviews Sicilian scenery, weather, and culture. Compares Mount Etna and Vesuvius. Describes travel across center of island with companions Count Bessa Negrini of Mantua and C. G. B. Daubeny of Oxford. [Letter continued 14 July:] Oppressive heat in Palermo. [Letter continued 18 July:] Arrival in Naples.
Lists all letters received from Slough and those sent by JH to recipients in England. News of acquaintances at home. C. G. B. Daubeny taken ill. Itinerary for return trip. Low opinion of southern Italians. English society in Naples. Describes cask of wine JH shipped to England. [P.S. 24 July:] Daubeny's illness is malaria. JH will stay with him. Grahames are not here.
Describes last leg of Sicilian tour and festival of St. Rosalie, patron of Sicily, in Palermo. [Letter continued 31 July:] C. G. B. Daubeny is recovering but not strong. JH will travel on alone. Lists letters received from England. Dinner with Lord Belvedere. Shipped case of shells and minerals to Mr. Beckwith.
Worried about safety of JH's voyage to Sicily. Mr. Tasker forced Mr. Davenport finally to pay back rent. Should telescope be painted to protect it from rain? Planning trip to Margate. Asks JH to buy watch for MPH in Geneva. Declined Mr. Beckwith's request for MPH to be godmother to new daughter. [Letter continued 28 June:] James South and wife will visit MPH tomorrow.
Encloses letter from CG's brother regarding barometer scales. Hopes JH had pleasant trip from Catania to Palermo in company of Count [Bessa?]. [Niccolò] Cacciatore will give JH six-year collection of DG's meteorological observations, soon to be published.
Describes his laborious journey to the summit of Mt. Etna; from his barometric readings, concludes that its altitude is 10,000 or 11,000 ft. Asks about the progress of Johann Pfaff's translation of William Herschel's papers; JH mentions that he wrote to Pfaff from Cattagione, Sicily. [Letter continued 20 July from Naples and 16 Aug. from Florence.]
Thanks FB for informing him of his election to the Astronomical Society.