The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1903-04-01
From Abroad.
LETTER vi.
MALra, FEB. 20, 1903.
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board / saw through portfolio the
cliff bound shores of Malta, the
largest of the Maltese group of
islands. Yozo, another of the
group, we passed last night with
out hearing any Sirene songs that
enticed ancient travellers, and of
whom Homer sang.
Malta is one vast solid rock 174
by 81 miles, covered by very fer
tile soil, mostly by artificial means,
much of it having been brought in
ships from Palestine and the is
lands of the Mediterranean. It's
ninety square miles sup go the
densest population on the glo' e.
1000 to the square mile. The peo-
pie, largely of Arabic origin, are
industrious, frugal, cheels al and
religious. It's history is lost in the
impenetrable mists of antiquity.
Egyptians, Phenicians, Romans,
Greeks, Vandals, Arabs, Crusaders,
Knights of st. John, French and
English have successfully fought
on the island. Since 1899 the
English have had undisturbed pos
session Perhaps it is now pro-
tected by the most elaborate forth
fications on earth, manned con-
stantly by 1000 British troops,
and the rendezvous of the might
lest navy that ever sailed the sea.
Ar hour before dropping anchor
in the harbor of Valetta-the cap
ital-we crossed the track of Pauls
deemed ship. Upon landing, DIR.
Buckner and disentangled our
selves from the struggling mob of
400 tourists, hired carriage and
drove on perfect road through a
romantic country of terraced green
gardens-called farms-94 miles to
st. Paul's Bay on the northwest
corner of the island. There we
took rowboat and crossed the bay
to the spot where stands chapel
and a monument surmounted by a
colossal statue of Paul, erected on
the spot where he landed from the
wreck. The little chapel marks
the spot where the kindly natives
kindled the fire to warm the SILVER
ing strangers. Here Paul shook
the viper from his unhurt hand.
Read Acts, xvii and xviii.
In few days not an invalid was
found on the island, for every one
from the father of Publius to the
smallest child, had felt the healing
touch of the great Apostle. From
that time until this hour, Paul's
Master has been Lord of the is
landers. This visit of Paul and
the deeds of the heroic knights of
Malta have given it's history a
deathless interest.
The Knights: About 1043 A. D.,
some Maltese Carnegies obtained
permission to build in Jerusalem a
house for Christian pilgrims, to
which, afterwards they added a
hospital that gave them the title of
Hosnitallers. sew to-day in the
museum of the Governor palace
the original bill signed by Pope
Paschal 1918 by which these char
liable and chivalrous men were
confirmed as a military order.
These grand men were the most
Knightly Knights that ever wore a
plume or unsheathed a sword.
Alone for years they withstood, un-
der the banner of the cross, the aw-
full onset of Saracen and Turk.
They finally found nome in the
island Of Rhodes which they held
for 200 years against the incessant
assaults of the Turks, until one of
the greatest of the Sultans with a
vast fleet landed 200, 900 soldiers,
the flower of his army, and be-
gan six months siege against
the little group of 5000 soldier
priests. 100000 Turks persisted
in the seige, one Knight alone hav-