New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-23
MALTA AND TIE MALTESE.
ROMANCE AND REALITY OF A HISTORIC
ISLAND.

IpRoN Az OCc IsIoNAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE
vAILErrA. Malta November 25, 1888.
The Maltese Islands are four innumber; Malta,
Gozzo Comno and ComnittoNTaa being the largest OF
the group The axis Of the tweny-nine miles in
engthuns from southeast to northwest III the same d.
rrcton a, the Apennnes. Malta Is 6fty-fve miles from
the most southery point Of Sicily and l25 miles from NJ
Etna During the last great eruption Of this lOOOOfeet
high mountain the glare Of Its fires was distinctly seen
from here About 200 miles southwest OF lis Cape Bon
points its finger the ard the northeast end Of
Africa brgins the ngeruaii Thus situated then mid
way between the continents Of Europe and Africa and d.
rrcty In the middle of the great water highway connect
ing American and European markets with Egypt, ASIA
and the Indies Malta possesses an Importance easily
realized She has been Possessed by all the countries Dor
,erng Me iiteTancan in tIrn. AMI has been bone
contention whenever the dogs Of war were let loose
Malta and Its officially styled dependencies" though
only yspeCks IN the bread map OF the world. now geo
graphically part OF Europe though as to climate and
productions hey have much in common with neghbOring
Africa The Island Malta Itself is miles long
by nine miles broad. A boat sailing round II would
traverse fifty miles It, principal ports ara the Great
aud Quarantine harbOrs of Vaatta which are separated
10y the Il land called Mount sceberras,
on which the city Is built, Among other bays on the
northern shore is that Of st. Paul in which, lSOO years
ago the Christian orator driven ashore with the
prrspacity that you would naturally suppose him pos
seSsed H. st Pau lighted his feet when he struck Malta
for he not nly the most beautiful OF all the bays IN
the island be wrecked h hut the people received him
kindly AID being ripe for it, were easily converted 10
Christianity. Prior Ia st. Pals advent the inhabitants OF
Malta worshipped Neurological g,is. Only yesterday
saw statue Of the goddess juno before which the ancient
Maltese have bowed lown AMI sacrificed II stands under
nm archway in niche 81 the gate that leads into the old
city Cl vrcchia-the most venerable Of the Maltese
cites The Cathedral that stands there is several
hundred years old is built the site OF the house or
Publus who entertained the great Apostle. There are
sing hen
ground of Cita Vtcch ia which the early Christians took
refuge from prosecutors They dug through solid rock
winch ro,k however II easily worked-cutuhg more IKE
cheese than granite The atmosphere Of Ctta VeCcha Ia
bazr with legend and sacred with localities connected
with St Paurs stay the siaud and the Catholics whose
religion low prevails here, have made the most OF all OF
them.
The highest roin II Malta is $50 feet above level
There many visible excepting In the walled
In gardens OF the wealthy Maltese hut III such Enclosures
oranges lemons hgs pomcgrauatos All dry apples flour
ish The potatoes raises IN the island are ~ tue hest ana
its string beans peas ana bcets surpassed any
where Olives do well here and grow wild In short IL Is
n climate most favorable for Negetabes and senltropca
fruits aud flowers The pumpkins arc high In color but
low In taste sawdnst pudding would bc as palaane
a. n Maltese pumpkin pie. The " fclds ol the MALTESE
peasant are Enclosed In stone walls and viii not average
than half each Two thirds Of the surface Of
Malta il rock, and the soil O these helds mas mostly oen
"mahe" II takes mans lifetime 10 change r'ck floor
into fertile farm hut the Maltese are patient ana IN
call IL Flor del Monde, the Flower 1f the World but to
the naked eye the traveller the appropriateness oi tho
When Irs here the leary grayness OF the barren
Landscape the burnt yellow soil rho Intense white ana
rrsome yellow OF the low hnoNry HOUSES 'h1 scahtS loi
age and the impriscnng surrounding IL all gave me-
rnnbed at once and went bed with the heaTtache.
Thought Of certain placid lake girilcd ny eFergrv's
through which in the dreamy indiaG-snnmer time a tue
nossbfes of glowing coors sprinkled in prouson
and the heartess landscapes OF my island a0ode VIZ
botted out sight by tears But soon got Ia know tst
Malta was not donoI ol oc ms oc"n; .5s an apres
] tltunT IpF