“These here disporting own the kindred soil,
"Nor ask luxuriance from the planter's toil;
"In florid beauty groves and fields appear,
"Man seems the only growth that dwindles here;
"But small the bliss which sense alone bestows,
"And sensual bliss is what the nation knows;
"Contrasted faults through all their manners reign;
Though poor, luxurious; tho' submissive, vain;
"Though grave, yet trifling; zealous, yet untrue;
"And oft in penance planning sins anew.
"Evils here contaminate the mind,

"That opulence departed leaves behind;

"For wealth was theirs, not far removed the date,
"When commerce proudly flourish'd through the state:
"At her command the palace learnt to rise,

"Again the long fallen column sought the skies.
"The canvass glow'd, beyond ev'n nature warm,
"The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form,
"Till more unsteady than the southern gale,
"Commerce on other shores display'd her sail.
"Yet still the loss of wealth is here supply'd,
"By arts the splendid wrecks of former pride;
"From these the feeble heart and long fall'n mind,
"An easy compensation seem to find.

"Each nobler aim, represt by long controul,

"Now sinks at last, or feebly mans the soul;

"While low delights succeeding fast behind,

"In happier meanness occupy the mind,

"As in those domes where Cæsars once bore sway,
"Defaced by time, and tottering in decay,
"There in the ruin, heedless of the dead,

"The shelter seeking peasant builds his shed;
"And wond'ring man could want a larger pile,
“Exults and owns his cottage with a smile.”

CHAP. XI.

Leave Gibraltar-Touch at Malta-Description of its Capital-Interesting Harbour and Vicinity-Sketch of the Soil-Produce -Situation-Religion-Manners-Origin -Antiquity and Hospitality of its ancient Inhabitants-Dreadful Wars with the Saracens and Turks-Pleasing instances of Amelioration of Character-Confidence of the Inhabitants in the British Government

-Paul's Shipwreck-Ample SuppliesDeparture for the Regions of Mahome

tanism.

NEAR the close of the year 1800 we once more set sail from Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, unconscious of my ultimate destination, but, as it eventually proved, we were to visit countries rendered still more interesting than Italy itself-countries peculiarly marked in history as the most interesting on the globe, and which will continue to

occupy the review of man till time shall be

no more.

After a pleasant and safe passage, we entered the harbour of Valetta, the capital of Malta, and my attention was fixed on the extraordinary appearance of this wonderful island, harbour, and town.

An opportunity soon offered for a visit to Valetta and its vicinity. We landed on a fine quay, and proceeded under an archway, through a narrow entrance, which introduced us to the foot of the leading streets, which lie through the city; the ascent is rather steep, and the pavement narrow, but on either hand there were several good streets, with a variety of shops, but in general confined. I continued to ascend the hill until near the summit, when a noble prospect began to open to view, and many objects excited attention: after viewing them, and gaining the extent of the town, another beautiful landscape opened on the sight, which, with the view of the harbour and shipping, and opposite villages,

with a fine champagne country at the head of it, agreeably surprises the mind, and renders Malta highly interesting, especially to a stranger.

The principal streets are regular, a few of them well paved; the houses are in general lofty, and being built of a white stone, peculiar to the island, have a noble appearance. The churches are remarkably well and elegantly built, and the handsome stone gives them an air of grandeur rarely seen in brick, and inferior stone buildings.

Their principal church is called St. John's; this majestic building stands on an elevated situation, near the summit of the hill: it has an handsome and elegant appearance, and is more remarkable for its extent and uniformity, than for useless ornaments. The interior contains many superb embellishments, of all which the Mosaic work on the pavement is said to be the most admirable.

The inhabitants are Catholics; they are

generally superstitious, but not so bigotted or revengeful as the inhabitants of various parts of the Continent. There is an openness and candour in the generality of the Maltese, which might be an example to many countries.

It is worthy of remark, that in the interesting description given of St. Paul's shipwreck, by Luke, we find this faithful servant of the Lord; placing their hospitality in a striking point of view." And "when they were escaped, then they knew "that the island was called Melita, and the "barbarous people shewed us no little "kindness: for they kindled a fire and re"ceived us every one, because of the pre"sent rain, and because of the cold. In "the same quarters were possessions of the "chief man of the island, whose name “was Publius, who received us and lodged "us three days courteously: And it came "to pass that the father of Publius lay "sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux; to "whom Paul entered in and prayed, and "laid his hands on him and healed him;