MALTA AND SICILY. 
131 
vered, and kindly sheltered by the natives , 
“ the barbarous people,” so called by the histo¬ 
rian, because they spoke an unknown language. 
I shall only add, that the present inhabi¬ 
tants of Malta most firmly and zealously 
believe that their island has been honoured 
by a visit from the apostle. They have even 
dedicated a church to St. Publius , who, ac¬ 
cording to their tradition, was made a bishop 
by St. Paul, as a reward for his hospitality; 
and the Maltese assert, that since that time 
the island has never been without a Christian 
bishop. 
Having now, I trust, quite convinced you 
that Malta is indeed the Melita mentioned in 
the Acts, we will visit that part of the island, 
which the unvarying tradition of the inhabi¬ 
tants, and the form of the coast, point out as 
the exact spot where the shipwreck took place. 
We set off on our expedition to St. Paul’s 
k 2 
