MALTA. ` 249 
prospect of the island, which looks like a broad ledge of white 
rock, spotted with churches, and girt by the blue Mediterranean. 
Much sanctity is attached to the place, from the belief of the inha- 
bitants that Saint Paul lived there, and for years inhabited the 
neighbouring caves (or holes), and preached daily from the hill. 
Everything is attributed to St. Paul, and our geological friends 
would have laughed had they had presented to them for sale (as to 
me) some fossil shark’s teeth, three inches long, as the teeth of the 
Apostle himself! The people are, of course, grievously ignorant, but 
very obliging and good-natured, constantly begging, and trouble- 
some from the importunity with which they offer their services. 
I made a few sketches of the curious-looking country; but it is 
too barren for beauty, and not extensive enough to be otherwise 
interesting. 
In the evening we went to the Opera, which is an excellent 
one, and well-provided (for the size of the place) with performers. 
Don Pasquale was fairly executed, the Prima Donna, especially, 
both sang and acted creditably. Malestrato was miserable, and 
“Come é gentil,” a total failure. 
I enjoyed my stay in this island exceedingly, and was the more 
glad to have seen it, being tolerably familiar with our two other 
fortified rocks, St. Helena and Gibraltar. 
Cairo, Dec. 7th, 1847. 
On Sunday morning the “Sidon” sailed from Malta, and 
arrived at Alexandria on the following Saturday morning. The 
passage was long, owing to contrary winds and a head sea, which, 
though slight, were sufficient to retard the “Sidon,” which, 
despite her size and terribly grand look, is a very indifferent 
steamer or sailer, after all. At Alexandria, we were very busy 
preparing to leave the ship the following day; but every time 
l went upon deck for a few minutes there was something strange 
to look at in the various costumes of the functionaries who 
came on board on visits of ceremony or of duty to the Governor- 
General or the ship. Turks, Greeks, Armenians, and Egyptians, 
with not afew Arabs, swarmed up and down, wearing turbans, 
Fez-caps, gold lace, rich scymetars with diamond hilts, heavy 
