The other memorable piece of superstition is to be observed in the convent of the Capuchin friery, who within these three years have acquired an extraordinary esteem, by means of a certain lady, who acknowledged herself cured of a dangerous malady by virtue of their intercession. This was an hint, which they thought very improvable; and have therefore since set up for such a stock of merit, that their cloister is already filled with waxen figures of legs, arms, heads, women’s breasts, and other offerings, of so many maimed and distempered persons, whom these Saints have restored by their peculiar interest in heaven. One particularly, who was indebted to them for a more than ordinary blessing, has erected a stately monument on that account, before the entrance into their convent. It is an handsome Ionic pillar, made of white marble, inrailed with a large square of stone, in the front of which is a crucifix, and an image of the _Virgin_, under the title of the _Triumphant Lady_. And this new figure is already become such an idol, that the zealous gossips of the town will often approach it upon their knees, at near the distance of a furlong. Having been detained about a week at _Cadiz_, we set sail October 11, 1699, and by the favour of a fortunate west wind were advanced within nine days near the entrance of the _Faro_ of _Messina_; where we lay becalmed two or three days, under the island of _Stromboli_, as after our departure from _Messina_ we did likewise under mount _Aetna_. Each of these was an opportunity of entertaining our sight with the dreadful curiosity of those burning mountains; where we observed the _crater_ of both to cast up a continued pillar of smoke, and at repeated distances a terrible red blaze of fire. Afterwards being favoured with a gentle gale, a pilot came from the city to steer us thro the difficult strait of _Scylla_ and _Charybdis_. Here I was curious to observe the situation of these places, especially because the latter is used in a confused and uncertain sense in classic authors. But upon a diligent view of the place it self, and a companion of some clear expressions in antiquity, the best judgment I could form of it was this, which follows. In _Thucydides_[145], and other good historians, _Charybdis_ signifies the whole strait betwixt _Sicily_ and _Calabria_; but in _Homer_[146], _Virgil_[147], and other poets, it is restrained to that peculiar whirlpool, which flows under the opposite rock of _Scylla_. Betwixt these two we found the current so various, that our ship was obliged to stand five or six different ways in a few minutes sailing; and at the same time it was surprizing to hear the waves bubble in a continued hideous noise, well expressed in the poets by the barking of dogs round the bowels of _Scylla_.