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direction of the Mediterranean, with the intention, should my health permit, of visiting Egypt and the Holy Land.

On the 16th of October, 1841, I embarked at Boston, on board a new, elegant, and fast-sailing barque, bound directly for Malta. The morning was pleasant and the wind fair. We soon passed the outer light of the harbor, where we dismissed our pilot, and, ere sunset, had left behind us the Eastern end of Cape Cod. This was our farewell glimpse of American soil. Here, as we fairly entered upon "the vast world of waters," a peculiar pensiveness seized upon my mind. There is an indescribable charm that links one to the land of his nativity. As the wanderer takes the last view of his native soil, the thousand endearing friends and objects left behind rush upon his mind like an avalanche. Tender emotions swell his bosom. It is then he sets a true estimate on all he has parted with. Then, for a few moments, the interests of the future are lost in the melancholy of the present. Such were my feelings.

I will not burden the reader with the particulars of a monotonous sea voyage. It was prosperous, though, as might be expected at that season of the year, rough and stormy. I suffered greatly with sea-sickness during almost the entire passage. In thirteen days out, we passed Corvo and Flores, two of the Western Islands; and during the two following days passed the entire group. On the 14th of November, we passed through the Straits of Gibraltar with a fair wind. On the 19th, we passed Cape Bon, on the coast of Tunis, and on the same day the island of Pantellaria. On Sunday morning, the

ARRIVAL AT MALTA.

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21st, we entered the harbor of Malta, and anchored at 11 o'clock. Thus we completed our passage from Boston to Malta in thirty-six days. We were placed in quarantine for one day. There was neither justice nor necessity for this measure; but whoever travels in the East will find, that quarantine laws and Christianity are two things.

Immediately after our quarantine restrictions had closed, the clerk of the American consul at Malta came on board, and by him I was very politely conducted to the office of that functionary. The consul received me very cordially, and gave me some essential information relative to exchanges, diet, &c. During my stay on the island, he treated me with the utmost kindness and attention, and rendered me several favors which I shall ever remember with gratitude.

The island of Malta is about twelve miles wide, twenty long, and sixty in circumference. It lies in the 36th degree of North latitude, and the 15th of East longitude, and is situated fifty-four miles South of Sicily. In its immediate vicinity are the small islands of Gozo and Carminoi, both of which are subject to the same government and regulations with Malta. The population of Malta, alone, is about 120,000, including the strong garrison kept on the island. The surface, though some undulating, is rather level, and is in no part mountainous, The soil, though rather poor, is cultivated with great industry, and is made to produce a very consider, able. The island is entirely bare of wood for fuel. This article is brought from Sicily, Naples, and other places. Orange and lemon-trees are abundant,

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PRODUCTIONS-CLIMATE.

and bear very fine fruit. The fig-tree flourishes in Malta, and yields well. The pomegranates are very fine, and of a beautiful flavor. There are also vineyards on the island, that yield excellent fruit. I saw some apples, but of a very inferior kind. Vegetables are plenty in the market, and of a good quality. Beef and poultry are good, but fish are rare and of an inferior kind. The goats of the island are very fine, yielding a large supply of milk. In Valetta it is customary for the milkman to lead about a number of goats in the morning and evening. Stopping at a door, a customer sends or brings out a small pitcher, when the goat-herd kneels down and milks from the animal the quantity desired. The milk of sheep is also used, particularly in making curd, which many eat as a luxury.

The climate of Malta is warm, and the heat in the summer is said to be often oppressive. It very seldom rains there during the summer months, but there are heavy falls of dew. I was informed that when the South wind blows in summer, the heat is very prostrating. The atmosphere assumes a hazy appearance, and the air sometimes has a disagreeable odor. Its effects on furniture and book-covers is, to crack and warp them. After this wind has lasted a day or two, the air becomes still and confined, producing a sensation exceedingly uncomfortable. This wind,

which comes from the heated plains of Africa, is not purified from the corrupt miasma it contains by passing over the narrow space of water lying between this island and that continent.

The wind, called the Sirocco, is prevalent in Malta. It is said to prevail most in September, but is not con

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fined to that month alone. I witnessed one of those winds while I was there. Persons with diseased lungs suffer more or less from its effects. Hence, Malta is not healthy for those laboring under pulmonary complaints. During the prevalence of the Sirocco, strangers are generally affected with great lassitude and debility. Anything painted when this wind blows will never set well. Glue loses much of its adhesive qualities; bright metals become tarnished, and, from the dampness of the atmosphere, the pavement of streets is sometimes quite wet. This wind occasionally continues a week, and even longer, blowing sometimes with great vehemence. I shall hereafter have occasion to allude to the Sirocco.

The people are generally represented as industrious. This may be true of the greatest number; but, so far as I saw, there are large exceptions. Lazy loungers are seen in every direction, and beggars meet you at every corner. Many well-dressed ladies may be seen in Malta, mostly the wives and daughters of British officers and merchants. This class, however, includes a very considerable number of Maltese ladies. Many of the native ladies are pretty featured, with brunette countenances; but the fashion of their dress is rather peculiar to themselves. The best class generally attire themselves much like nuns; wearing no bonnets, but in room of one a kind of head-dress called a faldette. This generally consists of a piece of black silk, commonly the size of a shawl, falling over the back, shoulders, and arms. It has a rather neat, though sanctimonious appearance. The men have more generally adopted the English costume. The chief difference is the cap,

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which resembles a long woolen bag hanging down on the back, and dyed with various colors. The cap of a Maltese often forms a receptacle for small articles which he wishes to carry about with him; and even sometimes answers for his money-purse. I have since noticed a very similar kind of cap, worn by the Maronites of Mount Lebanon. A girdle is still in use among the Maltese of the lower order. With this the pantaloons are confined round the waist, and it is generally three or four yards in length. It is not common to see those in native dress, with a jacket― its place being supplied by what is called a sedria. This is often ornamented in front with several rows of round silver buttons, as large as small birds' eggs. At other times, instead of these, the buttons consist of large pieces of money, such as quarters of dollars and sterling shillings, with long shanks fastened on them. A Maltese, thus set off, cuts a spruce figure, with a long curl hanging down each side of the face, and having his fingers set out with massy rings, of which they are peculiarly fond. The dress of the poorer class, both male and female, is very ordinary. Barefooted men and women are the most frequently met; and the filthiness of such is by far too common a trait.

The native population of Malta is Roman Catholic; and in Valetta, the frequent ringing of bells every day is peculiar. The number of priests and monks on the island would astonish any American Protestant. They are known by their dress; and you will meet one of them every twenty rods in Valetta, go what course you will. It is said that, on the island, the Roman Catholic priests of various orders number

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