“‘That is just what they told me,’ said the lady, ‘at Palermo, that England is all snow, and a great many stones.’
“‘But then, Signor, we have heard, what we can scarcely believe, that you have not any wine?’
“‘It is perfectly true. We have vines that bear fruit; but the sun in our climate is not sufficiently strong, which must be boiling, as it is here, to produce any wine.’
“‘Then, Jesu Maria! how the deuce do you do?’
“I told them that, notwithstanding, we got on pretty well; that we had some decent sort of mutton, and very tolerable-looking beef; that our poultry was thought eatable, and our bread pretty good; that, instead of wine, we had a thing they call ale, which our people, here and there, seemed to relish exceedingly; and that, by the help of these articles, a good constitution, and the blessing of God, our men were as hardy, and as loyal and brave, and our women as accomplished, and virtuous, and handsome, as any other people, I believed, under heaven.
“‘Besides, Mr. Abbate, I beg leave to ask you, what cloth is your coat of?’
“‘Cospetto! it is English!’ with an air of importance.
“‘And your hat?’
“‘Why, that’s English.’
“‘And this lady’s gown, and her bonnet and ribbons?’