The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-07-22
The Inlnnd of MALTA

The entrance to the harbor of Malta Is very
narrow, and dominated by frowning fortresses
Inside it is deep and capaciOus, and was
crowded with shipping, including Russian
man-of-war and or five magnificent vessels Of
our own Mediterranean squadron. Malta.
Coco and the adjoining iseis contain pOpula-
lstiou of 10000 A large trade is done in
early fruits and vegetables, but the coaling of
steamers is the principal business of the port.
This Is done In most expeditions manner.
Coal-laden barges are drawn alongside. and
gangs of half-clad, grimy men. carving
heavy basketfuls, stream up one plank, and a
corresponding row with empty baskets keen
running down another. Not moment is lost
But as this is q dirty job, the passengers were
glad TO avail themselves of an hour or two on
shore. The boats are shaped like life-boat.
with high bow and stern, and are gaudily
painted, and are decorated with rudeiy exc
euted pictures, generally of animals. The
boatmen row standing and looking forward,
Malta las very much the appearance Of Sic
Han or Neapolitan town, only it is much
cleaner, and there are few or none of those
odors which are so dislgreeable TO travellers
IN Spanish and Italian towns. The streets
are regular, and some Of them very steep.
The houses are high and white, and all orpa-
meuted with tasteful balconies and bow-wip-
dows. The stone employed is limestone. so
soft when quarried that it can be cut with a
knife, but 1t hardens on exposure. The views
down some of the streets, with the prettv
projecting balconies, some bright colors here
and there, the motley throng Of passengers,
priests, bare-headed monks, relocated sol
dlers, bluejackets, and stately Moors from
Iunls, with glimpse Of the bright blue sea
at the end, were such as would delight auy
artist. The principal sight of Malta is Tie
Church of st. John, bull on ridge which
separates the main harbor from tbe lesser
quarantine harbor, and near it is the palace
where the grand masters of the Knights of
Malta were wont TO hold their all but regal
stale. The st. John who is the titular deity
Of the knights Of Malta is not the Gentle
Evangelist, but, as becomes their character.
they have preferred the stern and heroic Ban
iist. The incidents in his life are depicted in
the irescoes on the roof of the church. Ex-
ternaliy 1t has no architectural pretensious.
but The inferior is rich in mosaics. -Four hun.
dred knights lie inferred beneath the floor.
which is entirely covered with oblong SQUARES
OF marble, set in with beautiful Inosaics
emblazoned armorial bearings.
quaint devices, and Latin inscriptions record |
iiie deeds Oh long-iorgotten heroesu,w Stun |
Oerlllg beneath IN peace, One shrine has gates |
OF siiver' which, we were told, were preserved |
from the republican rapacity Of the French IN |
lass by being painted the color Of iron. a 1
charel on the other side of tue church had |
gates oil gold, but these Napoleon con;riyetj
10 appropriate. The palace is large build
Ing with court in which were were many
orange trees covered with fruit. Passing m
magnificent staircase of white marble. we
we're shown into the council chamber This
s. 5 now used by the municipality of Malts.
md fresh in color, which, we are tod. had
'een the gilt Of Louis XIV Of France. Then
y long eorridors, decorated with por.raits Of
he grand masters and with rows Of ruaiiacla,i
CURES, we passed 10 what had been The ban
ueiing-hall and is now the armory. Here
Fas large collection Of suits Of aruor and