MALTA AND SICILY. 
185 
instructed in reading, (both in English and 
Italian,) in writing, and in arithmetic. The 
girls have the same instruction as the boys, 
with the addition of sewing. There were 
two hundred and thirteen present, the num¬ 
ber on the books being two hundred and 
seventy-four. Of their skill in the use of 
the needle, we brought away several speci¬ 
mens for the inspection of our friends at 
home. You would have been amused to 
have seen me examining little samples of 
hemming, button-hole making, &c., and 
giving my opinion very learnedly on the 
neatness of the work. These schools are 
supported chiefly by government, and appear 
to be admirably conducted, the Maltese 
spirit of cleanliness pervading every part of 
the establishment. We were informed that 
no religious instruction is given: this is a 
wise regulation in a school, the committee 
