English as She Is Wrote

IT is quite improbable that one will ever find again so complete and perfect an example of misplaced self-confidence as that furnished by the author of English as she is spoke. One does, however, occasionally meet with lesser examples of the same type, which lack any serious educational intent, and aim merely to inform rather than to instruct. As we must furnish so many ourselves, in our first travels abroad, we may not be denied the privilege of gloating over some especially good (or bad ?) example from the opposite side.

While returning from Greece to Italy a few years ago, I was looking through one of the large volumes which advertise the excursions of the Italian Line steamers. Among others an illustrated account of a visit to the Island of Malta attracted my eye, for not only was it in Italian, but in parallel columns was printed an English translation, that the ignorant Americans who ran might the more easily read. I read — the first sentence. Then I read it again. Then I wandered with increasing amusement through all the grammatical labyrinths that followed, and which follow. The reasons for many of the misuses of words are evident, but some of the combinations are hard to explain, and some hard even to interpret with surety. The “kind inhabitants’ fierceness ” seems at first sight paradoxical. I must needs go to Malta, or find some one who has been there, before I shall know with certainty the true character of a “reduce discarding railway.” I at first thought it was a narrow-gauge, but on looking at the map I incline to the belief that it is a funicular. It would be hard to find a more delightful anti-climax than that of “rocks, precipices, and inaccessible stones.” When I read the description of “ S. Paul at Sea ” and the “islet with a monument to S. Paul there unloaded avoiding the Romans’ persecution,” I can raise no other picture in my mind than that of a persecuted saint being put ashore from the end of a derrick-boom.

This is purely a commercial effort, and as such, apart from its literary value, is certainly a success. It impresses on the mind the fact that “Malta comprehendes three islands” far more forcibly than any correctly worded advertisement would do, and as a result one is far more likely to swell the coffers of the Italian Line.

A Walking in Malta

Really the Maltesi are right calling their country “Flower of the World,” being here always a clear sky, mild climate, splendid panorama, infinite horizons of sea, rich churches, palaces, fortresses, kind inhabitants’ fierceness, and beautiful sparkling eyed women, under their black monkish linen. Fine and pretty flower modest violet licked by intensely blue waves of the Mediterranean from Italy they bring sweet perfumes and from the opposed coast of Africa shining colors. Space and time do not consent us presently to speak of the glorious history, rich monuments, very florid commerce and about the political strategic importance of Malta, we will do this with more tranquillity, serious designs, and gifts in the next edition, this time we will only take a rapid walk in the principal cities and villages of Malta, hoping that our words whatever they may be unequal to describe this “Paradise Border” will be sufficient to be known abroad, drawing over here the “ touristes ” that it seems they avoid this country, convinced that in Malta there are only some rocks, fortresses, cannons, and soldiers. It’s true that only in Malta’s Port there are so many man-of-war almost permanent to make a nation strong and superb, that very often you see potently armed bastions, lunettes, terraces, immense barracks, soldiers of any arms. But all this nothing destroy the beauty of this country but they are the spring of commercial activit and wealth of it.

The Maltesi are Maltesi, I explain myself. To evoid the French dominion, they asked and obtained protection by England, but with their surrender they did not intend to render themselves vassals; superb of their past, loving their traditions, their honors and liberty they would remain Maltesi as they were neither subdued nor vanquished, and they loyally requested and accepted a nation’s protection, without resigning however their rights and dignity. They are devout to England that protects them, affectionate to Italy from which they generally took origin, friends to every people, as the same position rends Malta a country of international meeting, where travelers, merchants, speculators of every nation go there.

Who approaches Malta (Malta comprehendes three islands; Malta. Goso, Comino) turnes a look in the direction of earth feeles a desolating impression. We only see rocks, precipices, and inaccessible stones, everything is confused in a grey pale colour that we cannot perceive whether there are some naked mountains or immense buildings. The reason of such an illusion is that all the houses, quarters, fortresses, churches are built with stone of Malta, therefore the cloud which environes everything, everything is confused, houses mountains and rocks make all together a confusion. Only some majestic dome and church steeple are distinguished in a very clear sky.

Valletta

From the barrack a small garden with a plat form placed on the highest point of Valletta, we rule over all the port, the ills, the circumiacent willages is undoubtedly one of the finest panorama of the world. In the evening the spectacle is absolutely fantastical. The streets in Valletta are straight and they cut themselves perpendicularly three sides from towards the sea; they hurl down in long dizzy staircases, the effect is very original. The principal road (Royal street) specially the space that runs from the homonymous gate to S. George Sq. where you see the Governors’ palace, is beautiful, rich of splendid Warehouses, well paved, merry especially in the evening when the walking-place is animated. The Royal Theatre very spacious is of an imponent architecture, it’s certainly in Valletta one of the finest monuments. S. John church is to be visited, its rich of worthy art, works and at last the library, armour and Castaglia Palace.

A continual service of boats joines Valletta to the three opposite towns which the traveler must visit well for they present a special sight with their massy gates and high wall curtaining them. Between Gospiqua and Senglia there is the vast dock of the Naval army in which hundreds of well requited men are working; and that concures giving to those towns a wealth and wellfare looking. Going round Vittoriosa, we descend to Calcara, a small country which remembers us the picturesque village of Como’s lake. From Cospicua you can-take a drive as far as Birgebuggia where you find a good Hotel and where every day some merry companies are there. I remark passing, from Valletta, best Hotels and furnished rooms are found.

A reduce discarding Railway joines Valletta with Notabile passing near several villages, the railway runs almost parallely the street by which a coach may go is pryferred by those who wish to make a conceit of the country. The Floriana has two fine churches (Roman Catholic the one, Protestant the other) and a splendid public garden.

Hamrun

It is a broad industrious subuth; there are mills, nourishing pastes and cementation bricks fabrics,

Birchicara is placed in a fine valley, a large street by which you may go in a carriage conductes to Musta notable for a very large church, built like the Pantheon in Roma.

From Musta we descend to S. Paul at Sea. An enchanting country rich of Hotels and Villas: opposite the gulf there is an islet with a monument to S. Paul there unloaded avoiding the Romans’ persecution. Near Birchicara the Governor’s Villa with a splendid garden.

Notable is divided in two villages, Rabato and Citta Vecchia, is visited by all touristes for it possesses a rich of ancient objects museum uncovered there and some vaults which spring out and extend for several kilometers also the cathedral, roman villa, grove, goose-foot, and S. Dominic church are to be visited.

Sliema

You arrive there in a short time from Valletta in ferry boats that make a continual service. The city’s looking is really pretty, especially from the sea it offers a splendid panoramas. Every wealthy Maltesi has made there his refuge in summer and a great number of Villas have been of a late built. There are some good Hotels, well furnished of all species shops and beautiful walkings are to be taken.

For comment on the contributors to this number, see advertising pages 65 and 66.