158 
LETTERS FROM 
confined to the house they can sit by their 
fireside and feel the invigorating warmth of 
English coal. Though my companion has 
ceased to consider himself an invalid, and 
does not appear to have any disease remain¬ 
ing, we have indulged ourselves with the 
luxury of a cheerful fire almost every day 
since we left the lazaret, and the evenings 
have been so cool, that it was quite ne¬ 
cessary. 
I had looked forward with some pleasure 
to the carnival, but the rain and the wind 
very soon put a stop to the amusements. It 
began on Sunday, the 9th of last month, 
and, if the weather had permitted, would 
have continued for three days. As I came 
home from church in the morning, I saw 
several odd masks parading the streets of 
Valetta, both on horseback and on foot, 
some with heads like parrots, dogs, and 
