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SIBYLLINE ORACLES. 135 SICILY. nauseam, and proiluced intense ridicule on the part of the heathen critics; Cclsus, Origen's op- ponent, calls the Christians Siliyllists. But the argument was continued, and i^actantius in the fourtli century still relies on the Sibyl. For modern editions ot' the text, consult: Alexandre (Paris, 1841) : Friedlieb (Leipzig, 1852) ; Kzach (Vienna, 1891); GeffcU™ (Leipzig, 1902). An English translation is given in Terry, tiihi/Uiiic Oracles (New York, 1890) ; the mure imiiortant fragments are given in German, in Kautzsch, Apokryphen und Pscudcpiijniplicn (Leipzig, 1900). For literature and general treatment, consult: Schilrer, History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jcsiis Christ (Eng. trans., Edin- burgh, 1880-90) : Harnack, Gescliichte der alt- christlieheti Littcratur (Leipzig, 1893) ; Gelfcken, Komposition und Entstehungszeit des Oracula Hibyllimi (ib., 1902). SIC'ARB, Montgomery ( 1830-1900 ) . An .4mer- iean naval ullieer. He was born in New York City, graduated in 1855 at the United States Naval Academy, and served tlirough the Civil War. He participated in the bombardment and passage of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, and the Chal- niette batteries, and in the passage ot the bat- teries at Vicksburg. When subsequently in the South Atlantic squadron, he took part in the various attacks on Fort Fisher (1804-05), and in the bombardment of Fort Anderson (1865). From 1865 to 1869 he was stationed at the Naval Academy, from 18(i9 to 1871 he was in the Pacific fleet, in 1870 was jjromoted to be connnander. and in 1870-78 was on ordnance <luty at New Y'ork City and Washington. In 1878 he commanded in the North Atlantic squadron, and in 1879 was assigned to special duty at Washington. In 1880 he took command of the Boston Navy Y'ard. and in 1881-90 was chief of the Ordnance Bureau at Washington with rank of captain. He w'as for a time in command of the Brooklyn Navy Y'ard, afterwards commanded the North Atlantic squad- ron with rank of rear-admiral, was in 1878 ap- pointed president of the strategy board, and re- tired in the same year. SICCARD VON SICCARDSBURG, ze'kiirt fon zrl^iivts-linnrK, ArciisT vox (lS13-(iS). An Austrian architect, born in Vienna. He became intimately associated with Eduard van der Niill (q.v. ), and through their coiiperation the entire tone of modem Viennese architecture was ele- vated. The magnificent New Opera House (1860-66) was the principal product of their joint activity. SICILIANA, sA'che-lya'na (It, Sicilian) . In music, a name given to a slow dance, in six- eighth or twelve-eighth time, peculiar to the peas- ants of Sicily. It is danced by one couple at a time. The man first chooses his partner and then, after having danced with her for a while, retires, whereupon the woman selects another partner. She in turn withdraws and so the dance continues, a man and a woman alternately choos- ing partners. In many of the older sonatas the Siciliana appears as the andante. There is an •excellent example of a Siciliana in Mozart's Noszi de Fifjfiro. SICILIAN VESPERS. The name given to the massacre of the French in Sicily, which began at Palermo on the dav after Easter (March 30th), 1282, while the bells were ringing for the vesper service. Charles of Anjou (q.v.) had de- prived the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Naples and Sicily, and had parceled out these kingdoms into domains for his French followers; but his cruelty toward the adherents of the dispossessed race, his tyranny and oppressive taxation, and the brutal- ity of his followers, excited among the Sicilians the fiercest resentment. Authorities dillVr as to whether the uprising was spontaneous or had been prepared beforehand. It would seem that the intrigues of Peter 111. of Aragon had some- thing to do with bringing about the insurrection, but the common story goes that on the evening of Easter Jlonday the inhabitants of Palerno. en- raged at a gross outrage perpetrated by a French soldier on a young Sicilian bride, rose upon their oppressors, putting to the sword every man, woman, and child of them, and not sparing even those Italians and Sicilians w'ho had married Frenchmen. This exam])le was followed, after a brief interval, at Messina and the other towns, and the massacre soon became general over the island. Charles of Anjou made a determined attempt to reconquer the island, but the Sicil- ians sununoned to their aid Pedro 111. of Aragon, who had himself crowned King of Sicily, and de- stroyed the fleet dispatched by Charles for the reduction of Messina. The Angevins thus lost control of Sicilv. Consult: Amari, La qiierra del Vespro Siciiiano (9th ed., Milan. 1880'; Eng- lish translation, London, 1850) ; id., Racconto poptihire del Vespro Sieiliano (Home, 1882). SICILY, sis'i-II (It., Lat. f^icilia, Gk. ^^iKeVa, iSlki'liii, from Lat. Siculus, Gk. 2i/£f/lof, Sikelos, Sicilian). The largest island in the jMediter- ranean Sea, forming part of the Kingdom of Italy. It is southwest of the Italian Peninsula, from which it is separated by the narrow Strait of Messina (Map: Italy, G' 10 ) . It is of tri- angular shape and has an area of about 9936 square miles. Physicai. Fe.ture,s. The island, like the main- land of Ital}', is traversed throughout its entire length by a chain of mountains which may be looked upon as a continuation of the Apennines (q.v.). The northeastern part of the chain, run- ning southwest from Capo del Faro, is called the Peloric range, which in Monte Tre Fontane at- tains the height of 4508 feet; the western and nuich the longer part is called the Madonian range, which, in the Pizzo dell' Antenna. rLsea to an elevation of 6478 feet. It forms the great watershed of the island. Toward the northwest coast the chain breaks up into irregular and often detached masses. About the centre of the chain a range branches oflF through the heart of the island to the southeast, at first wild and rugged, but afterwards smoothing down into tablelands, which slope gradually to the sea. The JIadonian chain sends ofT numerous minor spurs to the south. Mount Etna (q.v.), situated near the eastern shore, is the highest point of the island, rising tf) an elevation of about 10,750 feet. On the north and east the coasts are steep and well indented, affording several good har- bors. On the west and south they are generally flat and their outlines are less favorable for navigation. The rivers of Sicily are mostly short and rapid, and some of them dry up during the summer. The principal are the Alcantara, Si- meto, Salso, Platani, and Belice. There are few lakes on the island, but there are a large number