The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-04-06

I u
| the dimensions of which are ap-
proximateiy, ) feet by feet. Another
interesting place in the Chapel OF
Bones containing 1000 skulls and
bones Of martyrs of the Island OF
| Malta. We went to the Governor
Palace. In its armory can be found
weapons and armor used by ancients
800 years ago. Among the collec-
ton in the armory you find car
riage used and owned by Napoleon
Bonaparte 1t is very heavy, but in
MANY respects similar to our car
riages of to-day.
Wher we leave our vessel, there
| will be found at the foot of the
ladder gondola awaiting you.
This boat is managed by a Maltese
who can speak very little English; he
will ask If YOU wish to land on the
Malta side or the Valletta side or
what is known as the Grand Harbor
| Of Malta. When you are ashore and
inquire of your rover his charge, he
will invariable say Is, this is. in the
mind of an American. a very reas-
enable price for the amount Of labor
done: but when the American dis
covers that he has paid just 10 cents
more than the boatman is allowed
to charge. he feels very much like
returning to deal with his thieving
foe From the Dock you cau hire a
carriage that will take you to the
center of the city for Cd. OF course
the drivers, knowing that to you, all
of the laws are quite foreign, will
| endeavor to extract the most ex-
orbitant prices.
In the entire city there is not a
frame or brick building. All are
built Of stone. On your way from
the Dock to the Governors Palace
YOU can see man leading horse.
| life size. these being hewn from
| solid stone: also q most massive and
| ancient Trireme. The Maltese traders
of Ealletta are the most avaricious,
most niggardly people of the uni
verse. When YOU are walking around
the city. they follow you like pest;
insisting upon your buying some
thing. or that You take a cab. Cab
men will follow YOU for blocks lead
their horses. appealing to you to give
them assistance by hiring their cabs.
The merchant will ask You four
times more than he expect to get
from YOU, and if you demur, will then
begin to reduce prices. 1t is a good
rule to pay Maltese just one-half he
asks. You can rest assured that he
will not allow your money to leave
his apartments. when once he has
seen it.
One of my friends was walking on
the street and while being very much
wrapped in conversation with an
English soldier friend did not per-
ceive that one of his shoes had been
blackened by street urchin until the
bootblack asked him for pay before
completing the fob. My friend did
not need shine" but inasmuch as
the Young fellow had polished one
boot. he asked him his price. to
which he replied. Is. The work was
completed and the bootblack dis
missed with ID. In the city of
Nalletta. | am told. there is not a
Jew: they can not compete with the
natives. From this you may readily
ascertain the zcalousness of the
Maltese.
The street dress of the Maltese
ladies is all black, very plain, with a
long black veil apparently attached
to the waist on the left side and
thrown over the head. extending on
the right side and back nearly to the
ground; no other headdress. Their
ho
Theatre, consists of all silk. lace and
jewelry. some of the ladies appearing
quite lovely.
Malta being situated in the water
route. travelled by trading vessels
touching at points in India, Persia
and Arabia, is. in consequence
thereof. well supplied with all grades
and STYLES of silks, laccs. and such
products exported by those countries.
These beautiful articles can be pur-
chased at the lowest prices. Ordinary
size shawls, all silk. fringed with
silk lace. and shawls. all silk lace,
from 1925 to $500: prices ranging
according to quality and size.
bought two beautiful shawls that
cost me only 1925 each; these will
be shipped to my best girls, my
sisters. upon arrival at Manila.
The most interesting place oil
amusement is the theatre. There are
no balconies: in the place of. are
boxes; no open seats, except those il
the pit. a box will seat six people
price of each seat, Sc cents. In the
pit YOU pay IS cents. and take any
seat You wish; no ushers except fol
the boxes. The best box in the house
being the one directly in front Of the
tage-height of our first balloon,
from the pit tioor-is always reserved
for use of the Governor General
During intermisSion You are waited
upon by an attendant, who. i
desired. will supply various refresh
ments. 1t is not at all necessary tc
quit Your box. The seating capacity
Of the house is about one-haf the
size of the stage. a large stag,
being pre-eminent item with Italian
artists.
An Italian opera. played by Ital
ian>. in their tongue. is not much
appreciated by an American wh<
Noe> Hot COM pleueuu itaIlaH. sI!II Il
NE the singing and music was some
thing most grand. The PLAYERS ar,
Of the very best; retained BY the Gov
eminent. and are not allowed t
visit foreign countries for fear o
losing them. The singing was rem
dered with the greatest ease anc
seemed of the highest culture. AT
orchestra Of 50 Italians made tn,
evening most pleasant as we'll a
very amusing. Each one of tn,
members looked musicians betor,
touching string; and when thei
leader raped his bow upon tn,
music stand. all instruments spok,
forth Immediately. Every mem be,
became al once enthusiast ticall,
wrapped in his music and instru
ment. Their hair appeared TO b,
: filled with electrical music: it rose