The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-09-17

"h-I ESL- Zs<1Z//
Not the least interesting of all the
uaces at which the American feet
will touch in its sail round the earth
Twill be the little island of Malta, in
the Mediterranean sea, south of Sic
by. There the great fleet of battle
ships will stop ON it's way home from
The Pacific to the Atlantic, via the
Suez canal. Outsia- OF diplomatic,
naval and military circles, little is
known of this mere speck upon the
map Of Europe.
Students of history will perhaps re-
call the presence there of Napoleon
ID, who pillaged the churches, stripping
them of their gold and silver, and
shipping the booty away, only to have
bis vessel founder in a gale and los
Ing all To-day, in the churches are
solid silver gates and vessels that
we're overlooked by Napoleon's men
Tor the reason that they were painted
black to deceive the eye of the van
das
On the northwestern shore of this
Island is St. Paul's bay, clearly identi.
fed with the apostles shipwreck and
made the subject of many famous
paintings, adorning the walls of the
churches in Valletta, the principal city
Of the island
The stirring history of the Knights
Of Malta is forcefully present in all
fits romance, and the island is rich in
relics of these valiant men. To the
feminine mind, Maltese lace, that ever
popular fabric, is suggested, although
this material Is not directly connected
with the island of Malta, the lacema
ters living upon the adjoining island
.oi Coco.
Most important of all-England has
nese Islands, making Malta the base
ol supplies, coaling station, garrison
and rendezvous of the Mediterranean
sQuadton. From the British, the Amer
lean admiral and his officers will re-
celVe attention. The sailors will view
Inc island in its simple life, explore
calacombs and visit the ancient Cit
Vecchia At San Antoine the officers
VIII be entertained by the duke of
'onnaught who Is at present COM
7nahder-in-chief of the military forces
~ the Mediterranean.
on the fourth day after leaving Glib
Iahar, the traveller to the east finds
himself in the Malta channel. strip
oelween Sicily and Malta. Upon
Fright days the snow-clad peak of
Tina makes itself visible. At the south
ae rocky shore of Coco is outlined.
Eastward, bright in its orange color,
lies Malta.
One Is first impressed with its
fuoW'white buildings, low and solid,
anu with the spires Of the churches.
u Tue distance the huge dome of Mus
q church, rhe third largest in the
"orlu' stands like sentinel, guarding
Ae people of the old city in the cen
Fr OF the island. This church, with
~ huge dome, was built by natives
lo worked only upon Sundays and
4O"uays and without wages, the labor
O'eflnE period of q years. No
y ton
ine Two great harbors spread their
E~s lhYltingly and within there is
'ple anchorage for the big l6'' fleet
uncle Sam. The huge breakwater,
'ONag It's nose into the channel,
pe@hs OF the enterprise of the Eng
-au IN protecting this wee spot from
empests.
Tue buildings skirt the shore of the
Ioor rising abruptly to the emin-
nvv mat forms the principal thor
usaiare Of the city of Valletta.
n Up through the narrow stone streets
NV are driven 10 the hotel, passing
rp pun every hand men who wear the
lnOrm of King Edward. The bare
0yVl OF sandaled, native trudges
surely along. Here and there one
group of Maltese women, their
M. nali-hldden beneath the faldette,
us primitive race Is deeply at
~ TO their national usages for
81 o'her nationalities sometimes
dan. iack Of consideration. The fall
mi IL peculiar mantilla of black
Us Worn BY the women. 1t is some