Introduction - Malta
in the early days - The
Order of St. John of Jerusalem - Malta
under the knights - Malta
a crown colony (to 1909) - Some
manners and customs - Some
random impressions - Social
life - Byron's
farewell to Malta - Climate
of Malta - Chronology
of rulers
PREFACE
The following text is intended to give no more than a slight sketch, aided by Signer Boron's effective pencil, of the manifold interests to be found in Malta.
While the archaeology of the island and its connection with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem have from time to time attracted attention, English writers seem regrettably to have neglected other topics presented by this unique Imperial possession, such as the folk-lore and literature of the Maltese language; the growth of the early Christian Church of Malta; the nature of the 'Consiglio Popolare' that gleam of constitutional government in the Dark Ages quite as interesting as the Wittenagemote; or the social and economic condition of the Maltese people under the Knights and in the early days of British rule all of which have engaged the attention of Italian and Maltese historians.
Circumstances have not allowed more than a passing allusion in the following
pages to such subjects: they are here mentioned to indicate the fruitful field
of research embraced by the Malta Historical and Scientific Society, formed last
year in Valletta, which proposes, under the guidance of its President, Professor
Napoleon Tagliaferro, to study the history and archaeology of the Maltese Islands
and other scientific subjects of local interest an association well worthy of
the support of British residents in Malta.
The vast contents of the Record Office in Valletta and oral tradition the latter nowhere stronger than in these islands may on examination contribute many valuable additions to literature and history.
Two volumes in this direction have recently appeared, of considerable Imperial and local interest:
'A History of Malta during the Period of the French and British Occupations, 1798-1815,' compiled by the late William Hardman, of Valletta; and the 'Historical Records of the Maltese Corps of the British Army,' compiled by Colonel A. G. Chesney.
The writer begs to acknowledge his large indebtedness to the standard works of Porter, Seddall, and Bedford in connection with the Order of St. John and the Great Siege; to the writings of Miss Simmons, Judge De Bono, Signer Busuttil, Mr. G. A. Page, Mr. A. S. Flower, Dr. A. A. Caruana, and Dr. A. Bartolo, and also to the many Maltese friends who have kindly supplied him with information.
Mr. Edward Reynaud has kindly revised the names of places in the map.
FREDERICK W. RYAN.
13, CLYDE ROAD, DUBLIN,
September 8, 1910.
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