AND LOWER EGYPT. 69 



sions, and which they call s pel anuria, are perhaps 

 the most expeditious that exist, and are manned 

 with the most hardy seamen in the world. 



The stones got from the quarries of Malta, are 

 in request for the construction of houses ; their 

 softness, before they are exposed to the air, renders 

 them of easy adaptation to a. variety of purposes; 

 they are exported ready cut into our southern de- 

 partments, to Italy, and even to the Levant. 



There was discovered, a few years ago, a sparry 

 and calcareous substance, to which they gave the 

 name of Maltese-stone. Many pieces of excellent 

 workmanship were manufactured out of it ; and 

 the grand- master, Finto, was so jealous of this ex- 

 clusive possession, that he prohibited the exporta- 

 tion of it, and even its manufacture by any one, 

 except his own people. His successor, Rohan Pol- 

 dux, was not tainted with a jealousy so contempti- 

 ble, and I had it in my power to procure specimens 

 of it, both rough and polished, which I have trans- 

 ferred to the national cabinet. But the true na- 

 ture of that substance appeared to be still a secret : 

 it generally passed for a marble, though its grain, 

 its consistence, and especially its formation, differ- 

 ed exceedingly from the grain, the hardness, and 

 the formation of marble. One of my fellow-travel- 

 lers, who, with a good deal of sprightliness and vo- 



f 3 lubility. 



