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Description
OF
MALTA AND GOZO,
BY
GEORGE PERCY BADGER.
Καὶ διασωθέντες, τότε ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι Μελίτη ἡ νῆσος καλεῖται.
Πράξ. κεφ. κη'. 1.
MALTA,
PRINTING AND LITHOGRAPHY BY M. WEISS.
1838.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Preliminary Observations-Settlement of the Phoeni-
cians-Greeks-Carthaginians-Romans-Goths-
Emperors of Constantinople— Arabs — Defeat of
Emperor's Expedition-Count Roger-Rebellion of
the Arabs-Emperors of Germany-Kings of Arra-
gon and Castile-Charles V. of Germany-Arrival
of the Knights of St. John-Their first acts-Malta
besieged by the Turks-Confiscation of several of the
Commanderies-Arrival of the French-Siege of
Malta-Dreadful state of the town-Appearance of
the British fleet-The French capitulate-Malta
ceded to the British Crown page 3-46
PART II.
Geographical situation and features of the island. 49
FERTILITY AND PRODUCTIONS.
Soil-Cultivation-Industry of the inhabitants-Corn
-Cotton-Clover-Fruits-Figs-Singular process
in cultivation of-Supply of water-Cattle-Fowl
-Birds-Fish
BOTANY.
CLIMATE.
52-60
. 61
State of Thermometer-Sudden changes of temperature
---Summer heat-South wind-Scirocco-Beauty of
evening sky-Winter-Thunder.
66-71
POPULATION.
Number of-Impoverished state of Causes of the fore-
going: Improvidence of the people-Want of edu-
cation-Bad system of teaching Mechanics-Ab-
sence of a spirit of enterprise in the gentry-Cha-
racter of the people by a Spanish author. 71-77
LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION.
Maltese language not derived from Phoenician — At-
tempts to reduce the Maltese to writing-Present sys-
tem of National Education-Inconsistency of-Back-
wardness of the general mass of the people.
MUSIC, POETRY, AND SINGING.
77-82
Native musical instruments-Poetical compositions--
Songs-Maltese Proverbs, &c.
COSTUME.
82-92
Dress of the Males-Dress of the females of the city
Neatness of- Costume of the country-wo-
Processions: Good Friday-Easter Sunday-Festival
of St. Gregory-Curious article in marriage con-
tracts-Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul-Races-
Carnival-Parata-Origin of—Giostra or Slippery
pole-Boat-race
98-107
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Origin of the present Maltese codes-Confusion of--
Enumeration of the courts-Suppression of the Bi-
shop's Tribunal-Trial by Jury introduced-Com-
missions to draw up new codes-Result of their la-
bours-Language in which the Maltese codes ought
to be written.
107-122
PART III.
Division of the island.
DETAILS OF THE CITY OF VALETTA.
page
125
Foundation of the city-Its situation-Streets-Houses
-Mole-Warehouses on-Health Office- Exterior