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Article ANCIENT MASONS' MARKS. ← Page 8 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
These are so lofty and difficult of access that we have been unable to trace any marks upon them ; and even the numerous white marble tablets on the walls , which once bore the arms of different Knights of the Order , are so defaced by the hand of time , or the more ruthless attack of an insane Republicanismthat very few would now furnish any
infor-, mation . Let us start from the trophied front of the Auberge de Castile ; we pass the barrier gate of St . James's Cavalier , and next instant find ourselves rapidly descending the steep incline of a rock tunnel ; soon there is a star-like glimmer in the distance—the light increases , we emerge into day , and
stand upon a noble arch , spanning the main fosse of the fortress . Again , descending a steep slope of rock , we , in two minutes' time , look down upon the Grand Harbour;—on our left is a parapeted wall , connecting Valetta with its suburb , Floriana ; on the right extends upwards the slope of the outer glacis , crested with a range of embrasures , its salient angle marked by a turret . Examine now the walls , and the following will be found upon them , —
From the point indicated , as far as the Calcara Gate , these and other marks are to be found on both sides of the line wall . Let us now pass through Floriana . Leaving the old and new , or Arghotti gardens , on the left , in the latter of which it may be observed , en passant , the marks # ¦ and i % are common on the battery walls , we pass through the inner
gate and arrive at the right flank sally-port . Here we shall stop our onward course , and ascend the rampart . Gateway , wall , and parapet , are of solid rock : south-westward , on the horizon , are the grey walls and church towers of Civita Vecchia ; directly below is a broad road , swept by the guns of the works ; to the rihtto the leftand behind
g , , , battery rises above battery : we shall continue our walk to the right along the wall . The herbage is here green , soft , and flower-besprinkled . Some twenty feet or so below us , between our walking ground and the inner bastion , is a modest looking avenue , bordered with trees ; flowers are lentifulthe walls are green with creepersand the lizards
p , , are quietly basking in the sunshine . Ten feet from the ground , where the battery wall becomes less perpendicular , a little aqueduct can be seen . We now hear the cooing of pigeons and the flutter of their wings , and presently a mo-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masons' Marks.
These are so lofty and difficult of access that we have been unable to trace any marks upon them ; and even the numerous white marble tablets on the walls , which once bore the arms of different Knights of the Order , are so defaced by the hand of time , or the more ruthless attack of an insane Republicanismthat very few would now furnish any
infor-, mation . Let us start from the trophied front of the Auberge de Castile ; we pass the barrier gate of St . James's Cavalier , and next instant find ourselves rapidly descending the steep incline of a rock tunnel ; soon there is a star-like glimmer in the distance—the light increases , we emerge into day , and
stand upon a noble arch , spanning the main fosse of the fortress . Again , descending a steep slope of rock , we , in two minutes' time , look down upon the Grand Harbour;—on our left is a parapeted wall , connecting Valetta with its suburb , Floriana ; on the right extends upwards the slope of the outer glacis , crested with a range of embrasures , its salient angle marked by a turret . Examine now the walls , and the following will be found upon them , —
From the point indicated , as far as the Calcara Gate , these and other marks are to be found on both sides of the line wall . Let us now pass through Floriana . Leaving the old and new , or Arghotti gardens , on the left , in the latter of which it may be observed , en passant , the marks # ¦ and i % are common on the battery walls , we pass through the inner
gate and arrive at the right flank sally-port . Here we shall stop our onward course , and ascend the rampart . Gateway , wall , and parapet , are of solid rock : south-westward , on the horizon , are the grey walls and church towers of Civita Vecchia ; directly below is a broad road , swept by the guns of the works ; to the rihtto the leftand behind
g , , , battery rises above battery : we shall continue our walk to the right along the wall . The herbage is here green , soft , and flower-besprinkled . Some twenty feet or so below us , between our walking ground and the inner bastion , is a modest looking avenue , bordered with trees ; flowers are lentifulthe walls are green with creepersand the lizards
p , , are quietly basking in the sunshine . Ten feet from the ground , where the battery wall becomes less perpendicular , a little aqueduct can be seen . We now hear the cooing of pigeons and the flutter of their wings , and presently a mo-