Appendix 8. Original Preface

PREFACE

Every principal and fort and every good comes to an end. (Sicilian Proverb)

The truth to say – F Petratca All’Icaita

I have been thinking and longing to write the history of my country, exploring it in the light of particular comparisons in order to cooperate with my stone in it’s progress. However, the task was very difficult, but since Heaven usually intervenes with it’s inspirations when the object and purpose of human purposes are worthy of it, I wanted to acknowledge the indication given to me by the mayor. And so by accepting I set to work, deeming it the fulfilment of a patriotic duty.

Amor moved me in vain every other wish would have succeeded, since ingenuity of it, in the study they are enough to lie to us, when the writer cannot draw on the usefulness and glory of his Country let us honor ourselves to belong to it, let us enjoy the beautiful sun that both by breath of, let us breathe healthily healthy wool to our poems, magnificent and the view. The solgiomo is delicious.

Listen, oh benign Reader, one of my exhortations, read, I beg you, and not these pages without passion. they will make you even better know, appreciate and love your country, that land where you were born, where you have always been gladdened by your friendly face and by the word of your mother that land where child enjoyed the first joys and, coming up over the years, from strong you have endured sacrifices and even pains. that land that holds the ashes of your dead poverty.

Read and approached from that wise admonition of Principe of Righteousness (Pliny) how shameful it is to live in one’s own land and not to know it (vile esi in patria vive ere et patriam non cognoscere).

Beneaugurandoti,

Father Francesco Aloisio
Poggioreale, Sicily
24 August 1956.

[This webpage is excerpted from the book: “The History of Poggioreale, Sicily – From 1640 to 1956.” Originally written in Italian by: Canonico Dottore Francesco Aloisio in 1956. Adapted and translated by: Dr. Jeremiah P. Spence, Ph.D. of Austin, Texas. 5th Edition. International Order of Genealogists Publishing. Ireland. 2019. ISBN: 9781072403371. The book can be purchased online at: https://www.amazon.com/History-Poggioreale-Sicily-1640-1956/dp/1072403374/ ]