The Story of Malta

Perhaps the strongest recommendation 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 inclined to neglect this all-important branch of education. Although Malta appears upon the map as a mere speck, on account of its superficial area being comparatively so diminutive, yet the patient reader who is not already familiar with its absorbing story will find herein a new field of historic and romantic interest, exceeding that which pertains to any other of the numerous Mediterranean islands. In all his experience as a traveler, the author has failed to discover any locality of similar dimensions which embraces so thrilling a history, or whose present aspect is more attractive and picturesque. 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 conversant with its singularly beautiful surroundings, or its fascinating capital, the unique city of Valletta.

Specialists, students of antiquity, geologists, and lovers of the early development of art, together with many others, visit Malta to avail themselves of its rare old library; to view the mouldering monuments of a commercial people who lived here three thousand years ago; to examine the peculiar geological strata of the island; to study its quaint examples of statuary, tapestry, and paintings; to collect skeletons and bones of extinct races of animals, still to be found in its spacious caves and beneath the surface of the ground. The average tourist has not been attracted hither, and little realizes the pleasurable experiences which await the intelligent and observant visitor.

While preparing these pages for the press, the author has received a letter, written by an experienced traveler, from which he quotes as follows: "The reading of your book entitled 'Due North' promptly sent me to view the glories of the 'Midnight Sun,' at the North Cape. I thank you sincerely for the inspiration." Perhaps these pen-pictures of the Queen of the Mediterranean may influence others in a similar manner.

M. M. B.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Geographical Position of Malta.--A Pivotal Location.--Warden of the Great Inland Sea.--First Sight of the Group.--How to reach the Island.--Early Inhabitants.--Language of the People.--Phoenician Colonists.--Arabian Dynasty.--A Piratical Rendezvous.--Suez Canal.--Two Sorts of Travelers.--Gibraltar. --Harbor of Valletta.--A Place of Arms.--Various Bays of the Group.--Dimensions.--Extensive Commerce of the Port. 1

CHAPTER II.

Island of Hyperia.--Where St. Paul was Wrecked.--An Historical Bay.--Rock-Cut Tombs.--Curious and Unique Antiquities.--Sovereignty of the Knights of St. John.--An Anomalous Brotherhood.--Sailor-Monks.--Ancient Galleys.--A Famous Barbary Corsair.--Antique Norwegian Vessel.--Navy of the Knights.--Barbaric Warfare.--About the Maltese Nobility. --Romantic History.--"Arabian Nights."--Valletta the Beautiful. 21

CHAPTER III.

The Maltese Group.--Comino.--Cave Life.--Verdant Gozo.--Isle of Filfla.--Curious Lizards.--Loss of an Ironclad.--Mysterious Wheel-Tracks.--Earthquakes.--Population.--Military Depot.-- Youthful Soldiers.--Quarantine.--Arrival of the Knights.-- Immorality.--Harbor Defenses.--Land Fortifications.--Charming Photographic View.--The Stars and Stripes Abroad.--The Eight-Pointed Maltese Cross.--Peculiar Sunset Scene. 41