DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4592#0016
16 HISTORICAL NOTICE-
which these poor victims of credulity inflict upon
themselves for the commission of some offence, or the
fulfilment of a vow they have made in time of afflic- -
tion. It is not unfrequent to see the ankles of some
of these individuals very much lacerated and bleeding
by the weight of the chains they drag behind them.
After traversing several streets, the procession re-
turns to the church from whence it came out.-
Malta is supposed to be the Mclita of the NeW-
Testament, on which St Paul was shipwrecked, and
subsequently introduced Christianity. On this account
it is greatly venerated by the Romanists. The island
obtained but little notice in antiquity; and when the
apostle was shipwrecked there, is described as inhab-
ited by a barbarous people. Its importance began in
the 16th century, when it was ceded by Charles V.
of Germany, to the Knights of St. John, of Jerusa-
lem, as a compensation for the loss of Rhodes. Its
fortifications were then greatly strengthened, and it
was considered the last maritime bulwark against the
Turks. In 1565, Solymon sent against Malta a most
formidable fleet and army; and the siege which ensu-
ed, is one of the most celebrated in history. After
prodigious efforts, the Ottoman army was completely
repulsed, and the Knights were left in peaceable pos-
session of the island till 1798. At that time, Napo-
leon, with an expedition destined for Egypt, suddenly
appeared before this island, and took possession of it.
In 1800, Great Britain reduced it, by blockade, and
has ever since retained it in possession.
Valetta, the pleasant capital of the island, is a well
built town, conveniently situated on a promontory
which these poor victims of credulity inflict upon
themselves for the commission of some offence, or the
fulfilment of a vow they have made in time of afflic- -
tion. It is not unfrequent to see the ankles of some
of these individuals very much lacerated and bleeding
by the weight of the chains they drag behind them.
After traversing several streets, the procession re-
turns to the church from whence it came out.-
Malta is supposed to be the Mclita of the NeW-
Testament, on which St Paul was shipwrecked, and
subsequently introduced Christianity. On this account
it is greatly venerated by the Romanists. The island
obtained but little notice in antiquity; and when the
apostle was shipwrecked there, is described as inhab-
ited by a barbarous people. Its importance began in
the 16th century, when it was ceded by Charles V.
of Germany, to the Knights of St. John, of Jerusa-
lem, as a compensation for the loss of Rhodes. Its
fortifications were then greatly strengthened, and it
was considered the last maritime bulwark against the
Turks. In 1565, Solymon sent against Malta a most
formidable fleet and army; and the siege which ensu-
ed, is one of the most celebrated in history. After
prodigious efforts, the Ottoman army was completely
repulsed, and the Knights were left in peaceable pos-
session of the island till 1798. At that time, Napo-
leon, with an expedition destined for Egypt, suddenly
appeared before this island, and took possession of it.
In 1800, Great Britain reduced it, by blockade, and
has ever since retained it in possession.
Valetta, the pleasant capital of the island, is a well
built town, conveniently situated on a promontory