The herald., 1893-06-02
TBy L, pEnYMuR.l

BY L. BEHYMER.
Houghs VI, Miffiin & Go. have just
issued nsw book of travel. entitled
The Story Of Malta, by Maturin M.
Ballou. Perhaps the strongest recon
mendation for faithful books of travel
lies in the fact that intelligent people
consult the best maps while perusing
them, and thus familiarize themselves
with important facts in geography.
Such books are especially advantageous
to the young, too many OF whom are in
clined to neglect this all-important
branch of education. Although Malta
appears upon the map as a mere speck,
on account of it's superficial area being
comparatively 80 diminutive, yet the
patient reader who is not already famil-
lar with its absorbing story, will find in
this volume a new field Of historic and
romantic interest, exceeding that which
pertains to any other of the numerous
Mediterranean islands. In all his expe-
rience as q traveller, the author states,
che has failed to discover any locality Of
similar dimensions which embraces go
thrilling history, or whose present as.
pect ia more attractive and pictur-
esque." Since the opening of the
Suez canal, it has become the
maritime halfway house between
Europe and Asia, which imparts
to it vast commercial Importance, and
causes it to be visited by many people
who, but for the force OF circumstances,
would probably never have become con-
verHant u ith its singularly beautiful sur
roundings, or its fascinating capital, the
unique city of Valletta. Specialists,
students OF antiquity, geologists, and
lovers of early development Of art, to-
gether with many others, visited Malta
to avail Themselves of its rare old library !;
to view the mouldering monuments OF
commercial people who lived there
5000 years ago; to examine the peculiar
geological strata OF the island; to study
its quaint examples of statuary, tap
eHtry and paintings; to collect skele-
tons and bones OF extinct races and ami
mails, etill to be found in its spacious
caves and beneath the surface Of the
ground.
The average tourist has not been at
tracted there, and little realizes the
pleasurable experiences which await the
intelligent and observant visitor. Ac-
cording to Biblical record, st. Paul,
when prisoner, on his way from Jeru-
salem TO Rome to plead his case before
the Emperor Nero. about go years
after the beginning of the christian
La fssla sis ii M San fSola. On On Sefnoofi nj
island there is a colossal statue of st.
Paul, which was erected by tho devout
Maltese come SO years ago. One thing
inits hsrbors is particularly noticeable
French, German, italian and English
flags indicate the nationality Of the sew
eral vessels, but the eye searches in vain
for the stars and stripes of our union.
The game absence of the American flag
is only too observable throughout nearly
all the ports of the Mediterranean and
the far east.
Readers who are interested in educa-
tion will be surprised to know that not
one-twentieth of the inhabitants OF this
Maltese group can read and write. In
populous, overcrowded China. eight
tenths OF the inhabitants can read
and write, and yet the western
nations look upon them as semi-bar-
barians. Can any reader of this article
indicate another people on the.
globe, eight-tenths OF whom can
read and write? Education is
not only compulsory, but it is
the only stepping stone to high
preferment in the civil service Of the
government.
An excellent description is given OF
Valletta, the capital Of Malta, which
reminds you OF oriental Tangier, with q
suggestion of scenes borrowed from Span
ish Granada. 1t is q city with streets of
palaces, picturesque forts, and mag
nifcent church (that OF st. John),~ The
principal street is the Strada Reale.
which runs north and Bouth. On it is
situated the imposing opera house of the
Grecian order, near the Royal gate. This
elaborate editice is finely ornamented
with Corinthian columns. II its tradi-
tions are correct, Adelina Patti made
her debut at this house. Patti was then
quite unknown, and received GI for her
part IN the performance on the occasion
today she realized G1000 for q similar
service in the United States. In the
Strada Vescovo, on the left OF the
Square OF st. George, or Piazza st.
Giorgio, is the house occupied by Lord
Byron while he resided there.
The most noted places OF interest
seem to sbe the grand palace OF the
knighta and the church of st. John. In
this wonderful palace of the knights
were held the meetings Of that wonder
'ful organization, the Order OF St. John.
Among its treasures preserved in the
~ Ahoty Wh5 bilt cOtuly Huu 8rJlBLlc 6WOTu
given the Grand Master. La Vallette, by
PhillipaII of Spain. The golden hilt
was set with large diamonds of purest
water. and the workmanship of exquis-
lite finish. This sword Bonaparte stole
and appropriated to his private use,
wearing 1t ostentatiously when he de-.
parted from Malta on his way to Egypt.
In, the wonderful church OF Sc. John
was preserved the right hand of st. John
the Baptist. brought originally from An
tioch to Constantinople by the Emperor
Justinisn. After the capture of Com
stantinople by the Turks the Sultan
Bajazat gave it to Grand Master D'Au.
busson at Rhodes, whence it was brought
to Malta by L'lsle Adam. When HON
pss5h treacherously surrendered the
Maltese group to the French he carried
the hand OF st. John away and present.
ed it to Paul l.. emperor OF Russia. This
singular relic is still preserved at the
winter palace in st. Petersburg.
Among other treasures Is thorn
from the cross worn by the Sa-
vior. fragment Of the infant Jesus,
cradle, one Of the stones that slew st.
stephen, the foot OF Lazarus, ana many
other relics.
The library and museum Of Valletta
adjoin the Grand Palace and was the
sst building erected by the fraternity