excellence of its wines, which, according to Pliny,

were, from their lightness and salubrity, admirably adapted to invalids. Martial has recorded them in

one of his epigrams,

"Surrentina bibis? nec myrrhina picta, nec aurum

Sume, dabunt calices hæc tibi vina suos.

and Ovid mentions the

"Surrentino generosos palmete colles."

In modern times the wines of Sorrento have lost their high character; "but," says Sir R. C. Hoare with considerable gusto, "the Sorrentines may justly boast of another article unknown to their predecessors of antiquity, and unrivalled perhaps in the whole world, namely their fatted calves, which exceed, in delicacy and flavour, any I ever tasted, and are transported to Naples as the greatest treat which Epicurean luxury can procure."

To enhance the value of this information it may be added that the bacon is so peculiarly fine that its hogs have been denominated, par excellence, "the citizens of Sorrento," though not permitted as in our sister Isle to divide the household accommodations with the tenants. The ancient Greek custom of a number of generations residing under the same roof is still retained by the Sorrentines, whose social virtues are worthy all commendation.