[Footnote 126: The Historia Sicula of Hugo Falcandus, which
properly extends from 1154 to 1169, is inserted in the
viiith volume of Muratori's Collection, (tom. vii. p. 259 -
344,) and preceded by a eloquent preface or epistle, (p. 251
- 258, de Calamitatibus Siciliae.) Falcandus has been styled
the Tacitus of Sicily; and, after a just, but immense,
abatement, from the ist to the xiith century, from a senator
to a monk, I would not strip him of his title: his narrative
is rapid and perspicuous, his style bold and elegant, his
observation keen; he had studied mankind, and feels like a
man. I can only regret the narrow and barren field on which
his labors have been cast.]