the greatest mystery must hang over the history of the sarcophagi and grotto, and in the mean time we may claim some indulgence for inclining to the pleasing hypothesis of the Hon. Sir W. Drummond. According to that learned historian and antiquarian, the illustrious family of Barca which gave birth to the celebrated Hamilcar, Hannibal, and Asdrubal, was of Maltese origin, and he even goes still further to state, that the body of Hannibal was brought to Malta (after his death which took place in Bithynia) to be interred in the sepulchre and land of his forefathers. An hypothesis which must suggest the most pleasing associations to the Maltese, and with which we ourselves have often loved to dream away time, while under the gentle influence of the dolce far niente, or with our thoughts wandering into the past, in the hope of finding some clue to the still more mysterious future. THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN. (Continued from No. 94.) The outward appearance and architecture of St. John's is by no means attractive, and inferior to that of other churches in Valletta, Without however, its possessing any attractive architectural beauty,we would feel sorry for any mortal who could walk down its nave or aisles, without being struck with the beauty of its details. The pavement consists of tomb stones, worked in mosaic with marbles of different colours and generally representing some appropriate emblem with the arms of the knights or other members of the Order buried there, besides an appropriate epitaph, or rather a panegyric on the virtues of the deceased.* On either side and some way in front of the grand altar, is placed a chair with a canopy all covered with crimson velvet; the one on the right, is occupied by the Bishop on great festivals and the one on the left is intended for the Sovereign of the Island. A seat on a platform adjoining this, From the constant use of the church for more than two centuries, some of the marble slabs had become loose and were going to ruin, but by order of the government repairs were undertaken in time, and the whole, it is expected, will soon be restored to somewhat of its primitive beauty. is especially prepared for the Governor of the island, on such occasions of grand solemnity as he may have expressed a wish to witness, or to which he may have been invited by the Bishop and Chapter. We have always looked with delight upon two marble figures representing the Baptism of St. John which are to be seen behind the principal alter. They are after a design of the famous Maltese artist Melchior Caffà, and were finished after his death by Bernini. In the chapel of the Holy Virgin are hung up three frames with silver plates bearing inscriptions relating to bundles of keys, said to be the keys of Rhodes, which were taken as trophies from the Turks by the knights of St. John, and are suspended from each frame. These and the beautiful silver balustrade which we mentioned, as having been preserved from the rapacity of the French, disappeared some time ago, creating not a little sensation amongst the Maltese; but by the timely care of the government, we are happy to see these valuable and interesting memorials of former times again replaced. In the Chapels of the different languages we find several costly Mausoleums, of which the following are the principal. Those of Grandmaster Emanuel de Vilhena, chiefly of bronze and of a fine appearance; and of Emanuel Pinto, with his portrait in mosaic, in the Portuguese chapel. That of Nicolas Cotonera, and Raimondo de Perellos et Roccafull, are still more beautiful, though we do not think it at all a fit emblem for the embellishment of a church (even of a Church Militant) to see Asia and Africa figured in the two slaves, chained for the support of the knight. A monument of modern interest is that of Prince Louis Charles of Beaujolais in the French chapel,* which brings to mind the *This chapel has lately undergone a considerable change; the basreliefs, which formerly embellished the walls, have been eradicated and partly replaced by modern tapestry. It was, if we mistake not, intended to change the whole interior of St. John's in a similar style, but the continuation of the plan not being sanctioned by the Authorities, it forms now a striking contrast to the remainder of this venerable edifice. wandering trials and privations suffered by the present king of the French, and we have no doubt frequently enough awakens associations connected with king Louis Philippe in those, who had the pleasure of enjoying his acquaintance while he remained in Malta. To those who delight in the beautiful works of early christian art, in the 13th. 14th. and 15th. centuries, there is moreover ample matter for rejoicing, in the illumined missals which are preserved in the vestry and still more so, in a splendid Episcopal dress which was brought from Rhodes and on which are worked a series of figures chiefly illustrative of the life of our Saviour. These figures are in exquisite artistical keeping, and Mr. Hyzler one of our artists, who has taken accurate drawings of them, will we are sure confer a very great and general favor by publishing his collection of these, and other monuments of the Byzantine art which are still extant in Malta. We hasten to correct an error of the press in our article on St. John's church in our penultimate number. In the 19th. line p. 104, the word was should be erased and was substituted for and in line 20. In fact a commission was not especially sent &c but having been sent on other matters, it was also instructed to enquire into the subject of the church of St. John. REVENGE. In one of our preceding numbers, we had occasion to give some homely illustrations of the advantages arising from an early and constant adoption of that beautiful maxim, Return good for evil." A friend has since fovoured us with the following anecdote which we publish on account of the interest it contains and carries with it. To see a conquered enemy lying at our feet for mercy and pardon is manlike, but to soothe the wounds of him who hates us, is truly Godlike. There is an old custom in Calabria of lending instead of money, such quantity of corn as may be required, or is equivalent to the sum of money needed. After harvest, the corn is then returned, and such quantity added, as may be justly due by the difference in the market prices, or may have been at first agreed upon. These trans actions are of very common occurrence, but the favour of a loan was once asked by a Calabrese from a neighbour with whom he had not been on very good terms for a considerable time. The latter though scarcely provided with a sufficiency for the wants of his own family, agreed to let the other have the quantity he required; but the wife, on seeing the corn leave the house, abused her husband in no measured terms, and accused him of caring very little for his family when he was so ready to oblige the man who for many months had been spreading the most infamous calumnies against him, and trying all he could to injure the family. The husband coolly waited for the close of her harangue, and then at once answered that there could not be a more severe humiliation to his neighbour than the necessity of applying to him for a loan with which no one else in the village would trust him, -and that no sentence from any court of justice could have placed him in a better and more triumphant light before his neigh. bour than his present conduct had done. The tone of sincerity with which these words were uttered, and their practical truth soon forcibly affected the poor wife, and with tears in her eyes she joyously went up to her husband and confessed that his was the right view, and the right feeling; nor was the example lost upon her, as the whole village now can bear witness to the Christian charity and forgiveness which afterwards threw a halo round all her acts. Το revenge one's self in a momentary fit of passion, appears sweet, but to forgive, creates incalculable pleasures, which daily increase the stock of our happiness. As rivers when they overflow, drown those grounds, and ruin those husbandmen, which, whilst they flowed calmly betwixt their banks, they fertilized and enriched; so our passions, when they grow exhorbitant and unruly, destroy those virtues, to which they may be very serviceable whilst they keep within bounds.- -BOYLE. Moderation is the silken string running through all virtues.- Fuller. Sold at No. 97 Strada Forni. No. 97. EPHESUS. Saturday, 17th. July 1841. Extract from the unpublished journal of a recent traveller. [Price 1d. keeping round Mount Prior you see a large theatre. We do not question that it was here the mob rushed in crying out "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Still further round the same Mount, and facing Ajasaluk is a Gymnasium, represented in the accom pear the ruins of a church, and all around you from Mount Prior to the extent of a mile and a half to the north west, ruins of various splendid buildings are profusely scattered. The far famed temple of Diana is nowhere to be seen, and the only remains that are supposed to exist of what once belonged to it, are extensive subterranean vaults. These are in the plain near the Cayster. "Arriving from Smyrna you enter Ajasaluk first, and thence proceed to Ephesus; in consequence of which the traveller is in-panying drawing. In another part there ap clined to consider a hill, which presents itself surmounted by a castle, to have been the Acropolis. Some remaining pillars of an acqueduct favour the idea; but on entering the village you are soon undeceived, and look in vain for Ephesus within its precincts. We had often received the injunction not to sleep at Ajasaluk, on account of the malaria, but the fatigue of one day's travel and the improbability of there being malaria after two or three days rain prevailed over our fears, and we determined to make it our resting place for the night. So stopping at an uninviting cafineh which unfortunately had no competitor we spread our wet clothes to dry before a blazing fire and then hastened to the site of Ephesus at the distance of a mile and a half from the village. Certainly it was the Divine hand that had been out stretched in anger over a city whose beauty and extent were plainly indicated by its ruins. Like most of the cities of the ancients, its site was admirably selected for extensive and varied prospects. Situated neither on the plain nor on the mountain, but on a shelf of land it commanded the view of the beautiful vale of the river Cayster, without being so elevated as to fatigue the lungs of the Ephesians in their ascent from the plain. Some parts of the city, as Mount Prior and Corissus, are still higher and to those who sought such recreation must have afforded a delightful walk, rewarded by a more extended prospect. The first ruin of importance that meets you is the stadium; further on to the left, and * From a single glance at the relative situations of Ajasaluk and Ephesus, it is evident that no Christian, nor in fact any human being inhabits the once wealthy Ephesus. It is left to the tortoise, the lizard and the stork, nor can any human being with safety dwell in any part of its neighbourhood. Even Ajasaluk has but few inhabitants, and those of the most miserable description, who are glad to risk the malaria of the pesstilential plain for the sake of its abundant produce. But the question may be raised, why was Ephesus thus bereft of its prosperity, its extensive commerce, and even its very existence. It is easily answered. The same cause that brought sin into the world, and destroys human health and fortune and life; destroys also the prosperity of cities, and lays them in the dust, and whether like Ephesus, they may be made the subject of especial prediction and warning, or like other cities, which have met the same fate, they go unwarned to their destruction, it is alike the same and the only cause that such an effect can be ascribed to disobedience to our maker!" REAL REFORM. We frequently, at the present day, hear it asserted, that the age we live in is an age of reform; and the principal object of men seems to be to reform and to re-mould every thing. In a certain country in our own quarter of the globe, every third word which is heard from the lips of the people, is the word Reform. It is to be regretted that many people are so completely in the dark on the subject, and not only view it in a false light, but are apt to handle it in an ignorant manner. For instance, many think that reform must proceed in a descending direction: new regulations in the government, new constitutions, new laws, will, according to them, relieve the "afflictions of Joseph," and diffuse happiness and blessings among the nations; a new generation will then arise, which will continue in undiminished prosperity, in unfettered freedom; and the story of the fabulous isle of happi ness will be realized. True it is, that more than common blessedness and felicity descend from above, when religion and piety are the support of the government; when truth and justice are the defence of the throne; when the blessed gospel from above is received, loved, and honoured as God's own word. O! then streams of blessing pour upon us from on high; then the great among men are like the glaciers of the Alps, shining in the splendour of the morning light, from which flow clear and crystal streams, around whose banks happy nations dwell, and noble cities and rich landscapes are spread. But of what avail is the best constitution, the purest government, when the people are sunk in See Amos, vi. 6. darkness of unbelief: when the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, have taken up their fearful abode among them? Of what avail are the best laws, where open profaneness has usurped the place of religion, levity that of innocence, and wantonness that of virtue, and vice and deeds of darkness gnaw at the vitals of the nation? Since experience furnishes an answer, I may hold my peace. Others maintain that the reform must commence from below; that the people must be cultivated and enlightened, their superstitions resisted, and their capacities and acquirements extended; thence all the improvement must proceed; therefore the instruction of the lower class ought to be proportioned to the liberality of this enlightened age; knowledge should be extended far and wide; then all will go on better, and the general improvement will rest upon a solid foundation. We do not deny that the lowest of the people are entitled to be equally on the mountain and on the valley, instructed in light and truth; the sun shines and all that move on the earth are enlivened by his rays. In the same manner useful knowledge and acquirements should be the common privilege of mankind. But first let us take it into mature consideration, whether that is true light and knowledge Alas! how frequently do we see the head which the popular voice proclaims as such. crammed with all manner of learning, and the outward man polished in the highest degree, while the heart is yet a prey to the worm of destruction! Thus, many men outwardly appear clever and intelligent, polished, and cultivated, while they are frozen and dead within; no breath of life, of the love of Christ, enlivens them; they are like well-proportioned, but lifeless statues; they have no heavenly desires, no high hopes; yet they can calculate, and foresee, and speculate; they have, as they say, room in their hearts for all the interests of mankind, and yet they cannot afford a corner, one hand's breadth, for the things of Christ. O wretched world! to be reformed after such a sort as this! Wretched men! to be content with improvements such as these! |