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We shall content ourselves with giving | the Report of the Commissioners as we find it in the historians of Malta.

"That the island of Malta was merely a rock of a soft sand-stone, called tufa, about six or seven leagues long, and three or four broad that the surface of the rock was scarcely covered with more than three or four feet of earth, which was likewise stony, and very unfit to grow corn and other grain, though it produced abundance of figs, melons, and different fruits: that the principal trade of the island consisted in honey, cotton, cummin, which the inhabitants exchanged for grain; that, except a few springs in the middle of the island, there was no running water, not even wells; the want of which the inhabitants supplied by cisterns: that wood was so scarce as to be sold by the pound; which forced them either to use cow-dung dried in the sun, or wild thistles, for dressing food: that the capital of the country named Città Notabile was situated on a rising ground in the centre of the island; that the greatest part of the houses were inhabited, and the circumference not more than one thousand three hundred and three paces: that the miserable walls which surrounded it were open thirty paces in breadth; that there were neither ports, bays, nor coves, on the western coast of the island; that the shore in that part was full of great rocks and shoals, but that on the opposite coast there were many points or capes, with indentures in the form of bays or coves, in which ships might anchor: that there were two spacious and good ports in the island capable of receiving the largest fleet; but with no other defence than a small castle, named St. Angelo, which was partly in ruins, its whole artillery consisting of one small cannon, two falcons, and a few iron mortars; that the island contained about twelve thousand inhabitants, of both sexes, the greatest part of whom were poor and miserable owing to the barrenness of the soil, and the frequent descents of the corsairs, who, without the smallest sentiment of compassion, carried off all the unfortunate Maltese who happened to fall into their

hands; in a word, that a residence in Malta appeared extremely disagreeable, indeed, almost insupportable, particularly in

summer.

As to the island of Gozo, called by the inhabitants Gaudisch, the commisioners reported: "that it was only divided from Malta by a narrow channel, named Freo, about a league and a half wide, in the midst of which were situated little islands or rocks, called Cumin and Cuminot: that Gozo was eight leagues in circumference, three long, and one and a half broad: that they had seen no port of any kind in the island, which was not surrounded with shoals and craggy rocks: that the approach was extremely difficult; the soil, however, appeared to be very fertile, and it contained about five thousand inhabitants, including men, women and children, who were dispersed in different villages: that the people of the island, in order to secure themselves from corsairs, had erected a castle upon a mountain, which appeared badly fortified, and of very little importance; but, weak as it was, the Commissioners judged it would not be prudent in the council to accept the island of Malta separately from that of Gozo, since the vicinity of the latter would in that case be dangerous, as it might at some future period serve as a retreat for their enemies."

Besides this relation, the Commissioners presented a variety of private notes, made by the Jurats of Malta and Gozo, which contained very particular accounts of every thing worthy of notice, together with a plan of Malta, on which they had marked, in the most exact manner, many gulfs or bays, serving generally as retreats for fishermen, and indeed, sometimes corsairs. They therefore thought, so great a number of ports being extremely convenient for the armaments of the Order, that the offers of the Emperor, Charles V., ought not to be rejected, provided he did not insist upon the Order's taking up arms against his own particular Christian enemies, it being a distinctive and grand feature in the institution of the Order, that the Knights of St. John should only fight the common enemies of Christians and Christendom.

THE joy, resulting from the diffusion of blessings to all around us, is the purest and sublimest that can enter the human mind, and can be conceived only by those who have experienced it. Next to the consolations of divine grace, it is the most sovereign balm to the miseries of life both in him who is the object of it, and in him who exercises it; and it will not only soothe and tranquillise a troubled spirit, but inspire a constant flow of good humour, content, and gaiety of heart.-BISHOP PORTEUS.

Better is a little with fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure; but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour, and life.-SOLOMON'S PROVERBS.

With the present number the editor of the Malta Penny Magazine has the painful duty to announce to the Subscribers the cessation of its publication. In taking this step he has been influenced by some friends, whose judgment he holds in the highest respect; in submitting to their wish and recommendation, he entertains the confident hope that some one whose time will permit him to give more attention to the editorial department, and whose talents may better qualify him to conduct a Periodical of a similar character as the Malta Penny Magazine, will continue its publication on an improved plan. If this little publication, which has continued uninterruptedly for the last twenty eight months, has found its way into many families of the Island, merely as an exercise in reading in the language of its Paternal Government, it has rewarded the pains and troubles of the editor; if it has afforded quiet recreation in leisure hours which might otherwise have been spent in unprofitable or injurious occupations ;-if it has occasionally been the medium to raise the mind beyond the cares of the day, guiding it to the Source of all good and real happiness, showing the path to a securer and better home; and if it has especially. been the instrument of leading the Young to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, this publication has fully answered the earnest wishes of the editor, while he would humbly attribute such beneficial results solely to the blessing bestowed upon his labours by an all gracious Providence.

In taking leave of his readers, the editor begs to express his wish that this periodical may long stand as a memorial of his sincere anxiety to promote the welfare of his fellow creatures, and his desire to extend to the utmost his sphere of activity, where he could reasonably hope that it might promote the benefit of those around him.

Lastly he should feel sorry to close the Penny Magazine without expressing his sincere thanks to the many friends who have during its publication assisted him with advice and communications, as well as to those who supported it, with the object of promoting its circulation; and he may add, that he derived no little encouragement in his labours by the constantly increasing number of Subscribers both among Maltese, as well as English families.

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Such Communications and Drawings as were sent for insertion in the Malta Penny Magazine and still remain unpublished, may be withdrawn by their Authors on applying at No. 97 Str. Forni.

At the same place may be had the second volume of the Malta Penny Magazine, at 58. in boards, or at 4s. unbound, also at Mrs. Muir's circulating library.

Selections from the Malta Penny Magazine

in two volumes, about 60 plates on fine paper, with appropriate letter press will shortly be ready for sale.

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