SICILIAN CHARACTERISTICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2183, 2 April 1891, Page 4

SICILIAN CHARACTERISTICS.

; In view of the trouble at New brleans the 1 information given in the last British Consular report ‘ from Sicily ia interesting. The report reinarks that there are dark shades in Sicilian,character which contrast with the Simplicity by which one might imagine the people- to be wholly possessed. They can be deceitful, Reticent, malicious, and vindictive; petty thefts and robberies are not uncommon ; it is said also that in gratitude they are sometimes wholly deficient. It is significant that' to be •Iscallro’ (cunningly clever) is with them a meritorious quality, and that advantageous; lying is regarded with favor even in children. Owing to the spirit of ‘Mafia. ’ and * omerta,’ which pervades all Sicily, they combine to bide each other’s misdeeds, and m the ease of robbery, and even assassination, it is generally impossible to get evidence against the wrong-doers, even from the' victims themselves. There is a secret understanding among all ■tnat no one shall assist the legal authorities in their efforts to bring criminals to justice, and the Sicilian, as a role; relies oh himself and on his friends for obtaining retribution for private wrongs, and everyone who transgresses this unwritten law has to fear the vendetta of his neighbors. One of the most disagreeable traits in their character is excessive cruelty to animals, of which travellers in Sicily frequently have seen revolting instances. When remonstrated with on account of this they simply shrug their shoulders and say, ‘What matters? They are not baptised.’ They cannot comprehend that any creature! has any claim to consideration outside the pale of the church. Frightful raws* in horses and,.donkeys go unnoticed, and are fed on by flies; deep holes are plugged with tow, and iaine animals are made to work with heavy loads as though nothing was the matter with them. As for relieving a horse or donkey of a heavy burden giing up hill, such a thing never enters their heads. To see a country cart crammed with people behind a horse that can scarcely ‘stagger under its heavy load, and to observe that no one ever endeavors to relieve the poor animal in the most difficult passages, is a common occurence Live poultry are carried to the markets hung from pick saddle, or by pedestrians from the bands, by the legs. The birds keep their heads up as long as strength endures, till at last they can do so no lobger.and diea painful death by a rush of blood to the bead. Children are, it is’ said, f taught cruelty to animals from infancy, for one of the commonest sights in town or country is to see children playing with newly-caught robin redbreasts and goldfinches, which they hold tied by tbe leg with a string and pull bacfc when the poor bird attempts to fly. Another defect in the character and habits of the Sicilian peasant is lack of. cleanliness. But, in' spite of all (these, the general demeanor and habits of the Sicilian are so pleasing that one feels inclined to;regard his deficiencies with much leniency.