The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-02

GU w ItIlI1 ullIe > TtlullS.
though such extraordinary pains and
LABOR are experienced To protect the land
against the ravages of the occasional Win
ter down-poUrs of ram, equal care and
provisions are required TO preserve the
water, 50 precious in the long and burn
ing summer months. Every Stealing is
provided with immense tanks or cistelns
cut III the solid rock. Tiny springs are
frequent, and not a drop IRON these IS
allowed 10 90 TO waste. Who're the spring
happens 10 be located conveniently. little
stone ifoughS are laid Sc as 10 irrigate, at
pleasure, every square foot OF soil, and
every particle OF the overflow is con-
Quoted by other tiny troughs to the cist-
erns. Srouts lead from the dixie walls
ana the Tat roofs. and from every posi-
pie projection or l5vel until the entire
island IS network OF rude appliances
Tor complete irrigation.
But the results are wonderful. Two,
and often three, crops are raised every
year, and from May until October. when
the untitled surface Of the island is as
WHITE as bakers oven and quivering
with heat, within these pleasant homes
ana these walled folds, where the out
ward aspect Is so hard and forbidQing
there are endless Wimplings OF water,
marvellous upleaplng OF Vegetables, fruit
ana gram, ana the matchless melodies OF
birds.
All these Maltese farm homes are very
interesting, and many are unique and
picturesque. They are all matchless!y
clean, and are given unusual freshness
by the constant applications by the house
wives OF preparation OF the puniced
stone, OF pale ecru color OF the consist
ency ot whitewash, 10 the stone floors,
walls and ceilings. The granary. pens
Tor animals and housing for fowls, are all
part OF the abode, usually at convent
ence IN the first story, the family sleep
ing III the apartments above; but such
extraordinary care Is universal among
the peasant farmers, that every such
apartment ever CHANGED to enter was at
least Us sweet and. Clearly as a gentle
WOmanS boudOir.
Many OF the walls leading from the
rear OF the court are cred with MOSES
ana vines. often the old Moorish nora.
or wa er-Wheel, stands silently, or creails
GiSifiaIly near the abode. Here and there,
near the home, viii be found the ancient
tfea0ililil oil the Bible times, on which all
the wheat and barley OF the island is trod
out ny oxen or COWS. Against the walls
viii hang tremendous gourds, quaint old
farming implements, or huge sleeves with
raWhlde, instead OF wire screens. as all
the grain IS removed from the chatf in
this primitive way.
Owing t. the scarcity of wood upon the
island hardly a wooden implement or
article OF furniture can be seen. Settles
OF Stone are common. In many farm
homes L found stone slabs utilized as
tables, and III others the same set securely
INTO the walls OF rooms for hunks or
peas. NlndoW-paneS are few. as the
hight from the Sky through the open
courts, and the tiny and inrequent win
doWs, a loot square, are all sufficient.
PernapS the most curious objects to he
found IN these Maltese peasant homes is
what may be termed their stoves. The
Maltese literally have 40 firesides. They
require no artificial heat, and all their
cooklng-Which is restricted to bread
made of wheat and barley meal. some
thing OF the consistency OF Scotch ''ban-
mock" hsh Which is plentiful and cheap
ana certain vegetable stews in which are
stirred scant shreads Of cured fish or
scanter bits of bacon for seasonino-is
done upon portable stone stove shaped
ike jar, and resembling in everything
but color timers ordinary hand FUR
mace in which his soldering irons are
heated. Most OF these are of home con-
structlon. cut out OF any handy block of
stone, with rude handles, carved near the
top, but some are of delft ware and more
capacious and shapely. They can be car
rled about, and the housewife can mind
her cooking, If she likes. while at any
drudgery OF the house or fields.
The home and ncighborhood life of
these folk is not as colorful as that of the
Italian and Spanish peasantry. They are
docile, calm, contented, ambitions only
TO thrive, and with burning desire.
amounting often to passion, to be better
tenants than their predecessors. They
rise and go to bed with the sun. If be-
lated at night no friendly evening cam
die light will guide the wanderer to a
tireside.
The music of the guitar and mandolin
alone would disclose the presence of this
half Arab home. For little time after
the night has fallen and the stars shine
out the huSbandman may sit and Groom
his weird strange chants. The wife sits
by him with folded hands and closed
eyes, occasionally venturing a minor
note. The lads and the lasses thrum the
stringed instruments. But they are only
those there who belong in that one home.
There is no rustic courtship in Malta
save Of the sheepeyeS sort along the Sab
bath and Saints days lanes as they all
repair together Tor mass at the casals or
villages. Then the women wear the fall
delta or black cloak-like scarf. The her
editary custom is To cover the face with
this. But they do not until after they are
wed and are mothers, which is often at Is
and IL years Of age.
There are no curious conditions here
preceding marriage, except that the lover
must be able TO rent bit of ground and
purchase a donkey and TWO goats or
sheep, as the milk of the island is fur
nished by the latter animals, and he
must sOlemnly pledge that he will never
deprive his Detrothed olthe life right OF at
tendance at the festivals OF ST. Peter
PauPs. 81. John and 81. Gregory, which
are respectively celebrated at Citta Wee
CHA, Naletta and Casal Leitun. And this
is not much to ask by pretty woman
who never wears shoes, is never from
home on any other occasion, who holds
her picturesque household bravely to-
geiher, and who, before she is 20 years of
age, and often grandmother, viii bear her
husband ali the way from dozen t. two
score happy, hopeful progeny.
One feature OF Maltese rustic lie Will
always remain with me as strange but
pleasant memory. This IS their Arab
chants. These have been handed down
from the Berber and Moorish invaders OF
many centuries ago, and, like the gypsy
language, are preserved vocally. But
countless chants are improvised, and the
nesitant and then outburstiug character
Of these adds imprassyely to their weird
effect. Men, women and children chant
under ali circumstances and conditions.
have heard it TO that extent from sur
rounding workers in fields, invisible by
their huge walls from the highway, that
il seemed as though some mighty organ
were touched by hands so masterful that
splendid symphony came from innu-
merable minor discoroiant chords.
EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN.
HER ANSWER.