o strong and compact as to be capable of
bearing a discharge with gunpowder, and which had once seen service in
battle. The rusty old lances, broken spears, and dimmed sword-blades,
hanging on the walls, shadowed by the tattered remnants of battle-flags
bearing the bloody marks of contests in which they had taken part, were
silent but suggestive tokens of the Crusades. There are many relics
preserved in this hall besides the weapons and armor, consisting of
written documents and illumined books; indeed, the place is a veritable
museum in itself, though containing nothing except such mementos as
relate to the history of this most ancient and long-sustained order of
Knights of the Church. This hall is sure to remind the visitor of the
Tower of London.

We strolled through the elaborate divisions of Fort St. Angelo, which
has existed as a fortification for a thousand years, and from its
overhanging battlements obtained a pleasing and comprehensive view of
the island and its surroundings. Malta, like Gibraltar and Aden, is
principally important as a fortified station, and from this occupation
derives its main support. The system of armament and the garrison here
maintained are complete and effective. The lofty fort upon which we
stood is very commanding, in a military point of view, as well as
affording a grand prospect. Valetta lay far below us, with its white
buildings and thrifty, business-like aspect, its many blossoming trees
giving bits of delicate color here and there. Both harbors, with their
crowded shipping and many stately warehouses, were in view. In Great
Harbor there floated three frowning, black-hulled, iron-clad monsters,
whose open ports and protruding cannon showed their warlike purpose. At
intervals the strains of a marine band came from on board one of them.

The blue Mediterranean stretched far away to the horizon, dotted here
and there by the picturesque maritime rig of these waters, its placid
surface, now serene and quiet, radiating the afternoon light like a
liquid sapphire. A myriad of row-boats shot hither and thither over the
waters of the inner harbor, painted and emblazoned after the gaudy
Maltese fashion. One or two long lines of dark, curling smoke floating
among the distant clouds, pointed out the course of the continental
steam-packets bound east or west. The atmosphere was soft and
summer-like. The hum of the busy town, far below us, came up on the air
like the drone of insects, mingled w