The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-04-15
From the Springfield Republican.
LETTER FROM DIR. HOWE.

A friend of DIR. Howe (whose letters from
Greece are familiar to the public) in this
country mas politely furnished us with the
following amusing extract of letter from
the. Doctor, lately received by relative of
his in Boston, dated,
MALTA, Nov. 3, 1928.
"What shall l tell you about Malta for
suppose you will insist on knowing some
thing about it. You will recollect that
Paul was shipwrecked upon an island called
Mellta, which in modern vernacular, signi-
fies Malta-and here is the very cave in
which he took refuge, and where the bar
barlans built a fire, and you may see the
very seat upon which he rested-that is if
you believe the Priests, and flor what |
know they may have the very viper that
bit him, preserved in bottle of spirits; for
they show you so many wonderous things
that you cannot doubt: why, they have
here in their churches not only bones of
the saints, the exhibition of which will vet
perform miracles, but several hundred
weight of the true cross-and one Of the
thorns, out of the crown of thorns but
don't laugh sinner, as they would call you,
for these things are all so-aye! and the
finch pin of Pharoh's Chariot, which you
may see--and an identical scab from one
of Jobs sores. fyou doubt all this, 90 and
ask yonder Monk, with long black robe
fastened round his waist. by a knotted cord,
r mean ne WIS, uses to whip himself with: him
black skulcap on his head, and Win VIZ i sai.
dals on his naked feet,-he told me all these
things were so and crossed himself most
devoutly as he looked at each article,-and
hnnnDd nF Al
to neglect my souls salvation, but let him
have some money, which he would faithful
y expend in prayers and masscs for me
though said he, Il do not promise more
than to get off a few thousand years from
your purgatorial roasting" A holy man
that-tor he opened his bosom, and showed
me the hair shirt he was wearing, "and
look" said he. pulling up his coarse robe ;
show my knees are worn Ivy tie hard
stones on which kneel to pray day and
night, and with this knotted cord which |
wear around my waist, do fagelate nv
body every night" Ofcourse could not
doubt the holy father but I thought to
myself if had the handling of that cord. |
would make the old fellow dance to diff
terent tune. The half dollar gave him I
presume was expended TO buy wine,--and
as soon as | was off, | will venture the hair
shirt was off too: and the cord again
threshed the bed post instead Of his back,
to give 1t the appearance of having been
used.
You know the relic of the brave and
chlValrous Crusaders, the knights of St.
John, after being driven from Palestine to
Rhodes, and then to this Island, made their
gallant stand against the Infidels here-and
assure you, | started, and a thrill Of pleas
ure mixed with a sensation of awe came
over me, as | entered the armoury of the
knights. 1t Is still in perfect order, and on
entering the hall, you start to find yourself
surrounded by steel-clad figures, with he'll
met and breast plate, and greaves and
shield, and lance and sword There thew
stand, just as they stood when living, with
their armour polished bright, the vizor down,
the spear projecting, or the mailed hand on
the ponderous sword all leaning forward
and seeming ready to start and punish the
intruder on their solitude. Seldom have 7
passed an hour so pleasantly-yet sadly
pleasant, as in this armoury. Here is no
hction, for 1t is the identical armour worn
by those gallant spirits, who shone in bat
tie held, tourney gay; and were ready to
risk life itself, for lady's love, or honor's
call. | buckled on the ponderous breast
plate of one, put on the heavy helmet, girt
around me the greaves and the steel bands.
and lifted the long sharp pointed sword
but felt like pigmy handling the armour
of giant; and put them off quickly,
ashamed of my own weakness-and with
consciousness that was trifng with what
should be respected, that | had almost
been guilty of irreverence."