the manner in which it was brought together, there are many books of very little worth; however, any person desirous of examining the records of antiquity, or of traversing the extensive fields of the scientifical research of by-gone days, or of deriving amusement from the peregrinations and voyages of the ancients, or of studying long treatises on military tactics and enginery,— all the intermediate tastes from the most zealous disciple of Euclid, to the most pitiable novel reader, may here find ample provision to satisfy his most enlarged desires. In fact, one may find almost any thing but new books.

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The works in this Library are written principally in Latin, French and Italian; however, there is a small collection of English literature, and a few books in other European languages.

In the same room with the Library is also kept a small collection of antiquities and curiosities, found at various times in this island and at Gozo, together with a few birds, a wolf, a wild cat and a snake, all stuffed. The principal antiquities are the following:

Several Phoenician and other coins or medals which are not generally exposed, but kept under the care of the Librarian.

Several earthen jugs and lachrymatories, upon one of which certain Phoenician letters are perceivable although illegible.

A statue of Hercules of Parian marble in very good condition. The god is crowned with a garland of poplar, reclining on his club, and exhibiting a very calm and placid countenance.

A square altar dedicated to Proserpine, on one of the sides of which two men are represented as offering a fish to the goddess; and on another is the emblem by which the Syracusans designed Sicily. It consists of a head from which issue three legs, so disposed as to form the three extremities of a triangle.

A Phoenician inscription on two pieces of marble, which has been differently translated by the several persons who have made the attempt; an undeniable proof that very little is known in our days of the ancient Punic. These monuments contain also a Greek inscription; but the genuineness of both has been much questioned.

A small brass figure, found at Gozo, representing a young beggar seated in a basket, which is covered with large letters, as also is the tippet which is thrown over his shoulders. These letters appear to be a compound of Greek and Gothic characters, and are very difficult to decipher. An ingenuous writer thought he discovered on it the figure of the cross, preceded by the word ΘΥΠΕΙ for ΕΤΥΠΗ, which together he renders Le Seigneur fut frappé.

A small marble figure found at Gozo representing the wolf suckling Romulus and Remus.

A marble slab containing two basso-relievo figures representing Tullia and Claudia, the former the daughter of Cicero, the latter the wife of Cecilius Metellus, who both lived at the same time. The inscriptions on this monument are very plain: one is TVLIOLA * M *TVLLII * F * and the other CLAVDIA *METElli.

Another square marble stone containing a bust in basso-relievo of Zenobia, wife of Odenat, King of Palmyra. The inscription which surrounds this figure is in good preservation; it reads, ZENOBIA * ORIENTI * DOMINA; and bears the date

AN * DNI * CCLXXVI.

Besides the above there are several other Greek and Latin inscriptions, not very perfect, and of little import.

This library is open to the public five hours every day, Saturday and the principal feast-days excepted. Any person wishing to read here makes known to the librarian what book he desires, and is then at liberty to sit until the hour appointed for closing the room. Subscribers paying the sum of 10s. yearly are permitted to take any books home, the time allowed for their retention being regúlated according to the size of the work.

The Garrison Library which occupies a small room in the same building consists at present of about 5000 volumes of English literature. There are also a few works in French and Italian. Any person wishing to subscribe is to write his name in a book kept by the Secretary, which is submitted to the Committee for approval. The entrance money of all officers and gentlemen holding civil appointments is respectively to be a sum equivalent to two days' pay, as well civil as military; the annual subscription of such is 30s. sterling. No entrance money is required from private persons who may wish to subscribe. Temporary subscribers are obliged to pay the sum of 5s. monthly.

The great convenience in this institution are the newspapers and periodicals, of which it provides a good supply. These must remain on the Library table eight days before being put into circulation, during which time they are free to any subscriber who may wish to read them. For this purpose a Reading-room is provided, which is open nine hours a day in winter, and twelve in summer.

PUBLIC THEATRE.

This building is situated in the street named after it Strada Teatro. It was erected by the

Grandmaster Manoel de Vilhena in the year 1731, but presents nothing remarkable in its exterior or interior construction. Government grants the use of the Theatre gratis, and it is supplied almost all the year round with Italian operas. Occasionally the Naval and the Military officers of the garrison exhibit themselves as actors on the stage for the amusement of the public.

It will be allowed by all, that the intention of most players in acting is to procure money, and of the company in attending the theatre is to seek amusement. Hence it will be found here, as every where else, that the plays performed generally correspond with the taste of the audience; and there is no doubt that the performance of Cinderella and the Glass Slipper would find more votaries among the inhabitants of Malta, than one of Shakespeare's dramas, or even a tragedy of Alfieri.

CASTELLANIA.

In this public edifice is held the Criminal Court, the Courts of the Magistrates of Judicial Police, and also the Office of the Magistrate of Executive Police. It is situated in Strada Mercanti, and was rebuilt by the Grandmaster Emmanuel Pinto in the year 1758, as appears from an inscription over the entrance.

In