SICILY AND MALTA. 295
Mediterranean passports, I am told, from
some of the governors of our garrisons,
which entitles them during the term speci-
fied in these passports, to trade under Eng-
lish colours. I am alsured that the num-
ber of these Bandiere men amounts to some
hundreds. They have often one or two
Engliih sailors on board ; or at leas! some
person that speaks the language, to answer
when they are challenged. Pray can you
tell me if this practice is known in Eng-
land ?
Adieu. The heat has become intolerable
and I am able to write no more;—how_
ever, I should not have given it up yet,
but my ice is all melted, and I have not the
conscience to send out a servant for more:
I dare say, you are very glad of it, and
wiihed it had been melted long ago. If
this continues, I believe we ourlelves shall
be melted. The thermometer is above
U 4 eighty-
Mediterranean passports, I am told, from
some of the governors of our garrisons,
which entitles them during the term speci-
fied in these passports, to trade under Eng-
lish colours. I am alsured that the num-
ber of these Bandiere men amounts to some
hundreds. They have often one or two
Engliih sailors on board ; or at leas! some
person that speaks the language, to answer
when they are challenged. Pray can you
tell me if this practice is known in Eng-
land ?
Adieu. The heat has become intolerable
and I am able to write no more;—how_
ever, I should not have given it up yet,
but my ice is all melted, and I have not the
conscience to send out a servant for more:
I dare say, you are very glad of it, and
wiihed it had been melted long ago. If
this continues, I believe we ourlelves shall
be melted. The thermometer is above
U 4 eighty-