Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes Oe A Yacht's Cetjise To Balakla.Va...
other ; it is . now chiefly occupied by a large private bakery . After the Reformation , when all the English commanderies were confiscated by order of Henry VIII ., this Language was merged in the Anglo-Bavarian , whose inn is at present occupied by the officers of the British garrison .
The aspect of Malta is peculiar and picturesque ; its natural military character greatly increased by the busy war-note of preparation —the perpetual coming and going of transport ships—the eternal bugling and drumming—and , last and most melancholy indication , the constant arrival of wounded , convalescent , and dying officers , to
rest awhile on its hospitable shores . The streets are regular and well paved , but many of them so extremely steep that the side walks are flights of stairs . The race of asses and mules appears to be extremely fine at Malta , especially the former , which present an appearance of symmetry astonishing to those accustomed in London to associate that animal with sweeps and costermongers . The houses are all built of stone , with flat
roofs , which serve the double purpose of being an agreeable resort for a walk , and receptacle for whatever rain may fall in the winter . Besides the windows opening on the street and yard , with which most of them are furnished , each house has one or two balconies jutting out several feet , and varying from six to twenty in length . These awkward protuberances are sometimes open , sometimes roofed in with glass , and form a pleasant retreat for the family during the
heat of the day ; moreover , affording great facility for what may be termed street-gazing ; but their effect upon the eye is most ungraceful , and gives an air of strange irregularity to the town . Uniforms of both services abound , sprinkled with native costumes , which the Frank dress is rapidly displacing . These , however , may still be seen among the hewers of wood and drawers of water . The most distinctive feature is the cap , resembling a long bag of woollen-stuff hanging down the back , ' of various colours , and which serves all the
purposes of a purse . A species of vest called a " sedria" supplies the place of a jacket , ornamented with huge silver buttons , in several rows ; sometimes , instead of these , large pieces of money are usedespecially quarter-dollars . The pantaloons are confined round the waist by a cotton girdle , called a " terha . " This is generallv three
or four yards long ;—no doubt a relic of Oriental costume . They seem a fine race ; of middle stature , but robust and strong ; with the rich deep brown complexion , dark fiery eyes , mobility of gesture and expression , and all peculiarities of a southern race . I could not catch the dialect , but am told it is a curious mixture of an ancient eastern tongue , some say of Phoenician origin—Italian vowels and Arabic gutturals . To he continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes Oe A Yacht's Cetjise To Balakla.Va...
other ; it is . now chiefly occupied by a large private bakery . After the Reformation , when all the English commanderies were confiscated by order of Henry VIII ., this Language was merged in the Anglo-Bavarian , whose inn is at present occupied by the officers of the British garrison .
The aspect of Malta is peculiar and picturesque ; its natural military character greatly increased by the busy war-note of preparation —the perpetual coming and going of transport ships—the eternal bugling and drumming—and , last and most melancholy indication , the constant arrival of wounded , convalescent , and dying officers , to
rest awhile on its hospitable shores . The streets are regular and well paved , but many of them so extremely steep that the side walks are flights of stairs . The race of asses and mules appears to be extremely fine at Malta , especially the former , which present an appearance of symmetry astonishing to those accustomed in London to associate that animal with sweeps and costermongers . The houses are all built of stone , with flat
roofs , which serve the double purpose of being an agreeable resort for a walk , and receptacle for whatever rain may fall in the winter . Besides the windows opening on the street and yard , with which most of them are furnished , each house has one or two balconies jutting out several feet , and varying from six to twenty in length . These awkward protuberances are sometimes open , sometimes roofed in with glass , and form a pleasant retreat for the family during the
heat of the day ; moreover , affording great facility for what may be termed street-gazing ; but their effect upon the eye is most ungraceful , and gives an air of strange irregularity to the town . Uniforms of both services abound , sprinkled with native costumes , which the Frank dress is rapidly displacing . These , however , may still be seen among the hewers of wood and drawers of water . The most distinctive feature is the cap , resembling a long bag of woollen-stuff hanging down the back , ' of various colours , and which serves all the
purposes of a purse . A species of vest called a " sedria" supplies the place of a jacket , ornamented with huge silver buttons , in several rows ; sometimes , instead of these , large pieces of money are usedespecially quarter-dollars . The pantaloons are confined round the waist by a cotton girdle , called a " terha . " This is generallv three
or four yards long ;—no doubt a relic of Oriental costume . They seem a fine race ; of middle stature , but robust and strong ; with the rich deep brown complexion , dark fiery eyes , mobility of gesture and expression , and all peculiarities of a southern race . I could not catch the dialect , but am told it is a curious mixture of an ancient eastern tongue , some say of Phoenician origin—Italian vowels and Arabic gutturals . To he continued . )