The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-06 00:00:00

MALTA, Jinx 30.

I wrote you last by the Genoa packet, which sails regularly once
• month between this island and the above port ; but I am afraid
that any news, thus sent, will be old when it reaches London,
whether with respect to Turkey or Greece ; however, it may occa-
sionally be interestirg, and worth communicating.
Admiral Sir H. Neale arrived here last night, in the Revenge,
from Smyrna, but cannot be admitted to pfilliqUe here for 30 days,
as his Excellency has established a Hoard of Heabh, and is deter.
mined that its regulations shall he complied wiih in every instance.
On this account, the communication between the Continent and
Malta is open, which, hitherto, was a source of great annoyance
to the merchants during the summer months, on both sides. The
climate of Malta is dry, neither too hot in the summer, nor too cold
in the winter: consequently it is more salubrious foeisersons
affected with pulmonary complainis and glandular obstructions,
than, perhaps, any climate in the world. The soil is not deep,
though very productive, and every species of fruit and vegetable is
produced in great abundance. The society is select and agreeable,
house-rent cheap, and all kinds of provisions of good quality, and
at a minima price. The Marchioness of llnstitars, though re-
tired and domestic, encourages all kinds of useful i ;Mney, and has
even formed a meaty, the object of which is to give employment to
the poor Maltese, who are able and willing to work ; but, from the
pressure of the times, cannot procure it. She is, therefore, be.
loved and admired by all classes of the Maltese ; while, at the same
time, her talents and virtue,', and elevated rank, raise her Lady.
ship above the little petty jealousies of her countrywomen.
Every Mimeo of useful industry is encouraged in the island by
his Excellency Lord Hastings. The pretty little cotton plant is
now in full blossom, and offers well for a good harvest. The silk-
worm is introduced, and its cultivation rapidly extending, and bids
fair to rival Spain and Italy, as the samples already produce de
said to be of superior quality.
Nothing is wanted but capital to bring this valuable branch of
commerce into great perfe:tion. There is still a more valuable and
less expensive branch of rural industry shout to be introduced on
the island, and fur which it is peculiarly suited—that is the Grano
Fbus. or cochineal of Mexico. The funss, or prickly pear, upon
which the insect feeds, grows here most luxuriantly. and is, in fact,
indigenous to the island ; and from the climate being more dry, it
is less liable to diseases than in the South of Spain, where it is now
cultivated with great care, and the insect is propagating its species
with prodigious fecundity.
I have been an eye-witness of its growth and cultivation in Spain
for these lam three years, and I ant fully persuaded that if it were
properly introduced into Malta, and cultivated with care, and as
economy studied, and allowed to propagate, for three years. every
year afterwards a handsome revenue might be realized, either by
Government or private persons.
I have all the documents which were published, both In Spain
and Mexico, on the cultivation of this most valuable insect, and, if
we are so fortunate as to obtain it, I shall translate them into
English, for the instruction of the cultivator. lam the only person
in Malta at this moment who ever saw the living insect growing on
the plant.
On the 26th inst. a Tunisian brig of war arrived here from Mo-
don, in the Mores, and landed at the Lazaretto three distinguished
officers of the suite of his Highness Ibrahim Paella, who are on
their route for England, by order of his Highness.
Their appearance is very prepossessing, and I understand they
are in high favour with Ibrahim. The Hirst is Salim Aga, the se-
cond Omar Effendi Alitloidor, and the third Mahnmed Effendi.
The first two are certainly men of consequence. iVhen they get
pratique it is their intention to proceed in the packet to London.
I hope the blind zeal of the populace in favour of the unfortunate
Greeks will not lead them to offer any insults to these Egyptian
Officers in those towns through which they must pass. It is un-
derstood here that Ibrultim wishes now to cultivate more intimate
relations with England than with France; therefore, if those of-
ficers are treated with civility during their sojourn, it may be of
great service to the commerce of England hereafter.