, 1878-04-26

perform their duty in way to put the
blush OF shame to some gentlemen in ON
land. The houses all look substantial
and some Of them are quite picturesque
with their projecting upper stories ana
balconies. The streets are full OF sol.
dicrs. Hercyou see the English infantry
officer in all his glory, red coat, plaid
brooches, round turban resting for sup
port upon his right ear, long bright scaD-
bard hanging from belt the polish OF
whose clasp must be a matter of great mo.
ment. Straight as an arrow he climbs the
steep streets as if upon dress parade.
The "tout ensemble seems to say, 81 ave
the honor to be leftGnant in her Olaies-
tvs service, 10y Jove" He hardly allows
| himself the indulgence of glanCiug under
the black headgear Of the native women
who pass.
Some of these Maltese maidens have
fine features. They have all black hair
and eyes, and something OF the swarthy
tint of their Saracenic ancestors. They
still retain modified form of the yash-
max. 1t consists Of piece of black silk,
covering the head and figure, leaving the
face exposed There is large immigra-
lion of marriageable ladies to the island,
and she is uaattractive indeed who does
not storm the heart of some brave sol
dier. heard Of one young lady who has
been trying to marry into the army with
a pertinacty of purpose that deserves a
better fate. After having exhausted the
home station she went to India, then to
Gibraltar, and now she seeks her Phillis
upon this island.
Malta has military governor. His
palace fronts on the principal square. In
it is the museum of the knights of St.
John, one of the most noted collections Of
antiq ue arms in existence. Along the sides
of the rooms are rows of figures clad in
the armor of the different orders Of
knights. The walls are hung with the
portraits of various Grand Masters, and
covered with halberds, swords, and pistols.
In glass case is the original document,
on parchment, by which the Emperor
Charles the Fifth gave the island to
the knights; also the sword belonging to
the Turkish Admiral Dragut. Near by
is curious cannon, five feet long and
three inches bore, captured from the
Turks. 1t consists of tarred rope wound
around thin tube of copper Here is
also lead mortar, and pile Of stone
cannon balls nine inches in diameter.
On pedestal is the armor of Spanish
giant seven and half feet high. The
helmet weighs thirty-seven pounds. In
these days when breechloaders have been
in general use but a few years, and ritled
muskets for not much longer, one is sur
prised to see gun that dates from the
sixteenth century, which not only is rliled,
but is breech,oader Of very excellent
pattern. In the palace is also shown the
state carriage of the Grand Masters. 1t
is covered with gliding after the fashion
of the mayoralty carriage at Naples.
One looks at it with increased interest
when he is told that Napoleon used it
during his stay here, sat upon that same
rusty cushion, and looked from those
same windows, now broken and gIassless.
The venerable church of st. John is
one of the chief attractions of the city.
1t contains several fine paintings, and a
marble group by Maltese sculptor, rep.
resenting the Baptism Of st. John. When
walking over that mosaic floor one grows
thoughtful and is impressed with sadness
to think that every foot of it covers the
remains of some hero, who, in the dark
ages past left home with all its wealtl +,
and cheer, and happiness, to be martiai
champion for Christendom. Would the
men Of to-day be as disinterested! In
these days of seltishness when nations
fight or bear insult according to the die
tates of interest, how many Of our highly
civilized warriors would sacrifice their
earthly welfare for life, for any abstract
idea whateverl La Valette boasts first
class opera house. Three American stars
are engaged for the seasOn-Mjsses Sarda,
Glyn, and Volga. They spent last season
in London. Their performance OF the
difficult opera of Lucia di Lammermoor
was superb.
One day hired one of the curtained
native carriages and drove to the palace
of the Duke of Edinburgh. 1t is finely
situated five miles from the town. The
palace does not amount to much, but the
gardens are beautiful. Rows of orange
trees laden with fruit line the walks. The
groups of stately date palms give sort
of "Arabian Nights" air to the fountains
that sparkle beneath them. Altogether
it is a beau ideal of charming winter
residence. The Maltese are proud of
their Duke. The Duchess is soon to be-
come mother, and if the youngster
turns out to be a prince he is to be chris
tened Coma Vallette; if "A princess, Val
lette GOnza-Gonza being the name OF a
neighboring island.
We set sail from La Valette with re-
gret. 1t is a charming place, and the
last real English speaking city We will
see for some time, as our route lies east
We reached Alexandria on January D
AGAIN we are among the narrow, dirty