SUPERSTITIONS OF THE MALTESE PEOPLE.
The Religious and Popular Superstitions of the Maltese
people; their Carnival and its consequences-Duels at
Malta, and Remarks on Duelling.

BY W. W. ANDREWS, U. S. CONSUL AT MALTA.

the lists. He was therefore condemned by the of St. John, for forty-five successive days, then to chapter to make an amende honorable, in the church be confined in a dungeon without light for five years; after which, he was to remain a prisoner in the castle for life.

A very curious duel took place at Valetta, between a Spanish commander, of the name of VasAs the Maltese historians have made no mention concellos and a French commander, M. de Foulof duelling in their ponderous tomes, I am obliged querre, the latter having had the insolence to preto trust to tradition, and to Millengen's researches, sent, as she entered a church, some holy water to a for the most I can find to say on the subject. young lady whom the Castilian was following. FoulMontagne tells us, "that if three Frenchmen were querre was one of the most noted disturbers of the put into the Libyan desert, they would not be there Strada Stretta; and although he had been engaged a month without quarrelling and fighting;" and this in many duels, on this occasion he repaired to the same spirit his countrymen appear to have brought rendezvous with some reluctance, as though he with them to Malta, though wearing the cross anticipated the result of the meeting. As soon as of Christ and clothed in priestly garments. I his adversary appeared, he said, "What sir, do would not say that the many crosses which now you draw your sword on a Good Friday? Hear remain on the walls of Strada Stretta, are left me: it is now six years since I have confessed my to mark the places where the French alone have manifold sins, and my conscience reproaches me fallen, for the monks of the other languages are so keenly, that in three days hence" But the said to have been as proud, as overbearing and as Spaniard would not attend to his request, and much disposed to settle their differences at the pressed upon him; when his opponent, mortally points of their swords, as were the knights of wounded, exclaimed, "What, on a Good Friday! France. This remark would more particularly May Heaven forgive you! Bear my sword to Tête apply to the Spanish Cavaliers, who were in every Foulques, and let a hundred masses be said for the age a haughty race, and ever ready to fight. The repose of my soul." Castilians have figured in many duels, but one of the most remarkable is that which Millengen thus describes. What a strange combination of superstition and ferocity is shown by its narration.

The Spaniard paid no attention to the dying man's request, and reported the circumstance to the chapter of the order, according to the prescribed rules; nevertheless, he was promoted to the priory of Majorca. On the night of the following Friday, he dreamt that he was in the Strada Stretta, where he again heard his enemy enjoin him to "bear his sword to Tête Foulques ;" and a similar vision disturbed his slumbers every succeeding Friday night.

"Italian customs (says this writer) prevailed in the Island of Malta, and duels were frequent amongst the knights of that order, although prohibited by most of the Grand-Masters. The Strada Stretta was the spot in which these meetings usually took place, and the friends of the combatants, stationed at each end of the narrow lane, prevented Vasconcellos did not know where this Tête them from being disturbed. Assassinations at one Foulques was situated, until he learned from some time were so frequent in this quarter, that an edict French knights that it was an old castle four was issued, denouncing the penalty of death on leagues from Poitiers, in the centre of a forest, reevery person who was found in it armed with pis-markable for strange events; the castle containing tols or daggers. But by a singular regulation of in its halls many curious collections, among which the order, every person was obliged to return his was the armor of the famed knight, Foulques sword into the scabbard when ordered to do so by Taillefer, with the arms of all the enemies he had a woman, a priest, or a knight. A cross was usually painted on the wall opposite the spot where a knight had been killed to commemorate his fall, and claim the prayers of those who passed by to relieve his soul from purgatory.

slain in single combat; and it appeared that from time immemorial, all his successors deposited in this armory the weapons which they used either in war or in private encounters.

Our worthy prior having received this informaAlthough the statutes of the order of St. John tion, determined to obey the injunction of the deof Jerusalem prohibited duels, yet a knight was ceased, and set out for Poitiers with the sword of considered disgraced if he refused to accept a chal- his antagonist. He repaired to the castle, where lenge. A case is recorded of two knights, who he found no one but the porter and the chaplain, having had a dispute at a billiard table, one of and communicated to the latter the purport of his them, after much abusive language, struck a blow; visit. He was introduced into the armory, and on but to the surprise of all Malta, after so gross a each side of the chimney he beheld full length porprovocation, refused to fight his antagonist. The traits of Foulques Taillefer and his wife, Isabella challenge was repeated, but still he refused to enter de Lusignan. The Seneschal was armed cap-a-pié,

ensue, then the duelling parties, as well as their auxiliaries, seconds and accomplices shall suffer the punishment of death." Severe as were these enactments, still they were just and productive of good, both to the morals of the monks and to their Christian conduct one to another. After their promulgation, no other duels ever occurred in the convent.

and over him were suspended the arms of his van-vention. He ordained, that "in duels both the quished foes. challenger and the challenged and their auxiliaries The Spaniard having laid down the sword, pro- and seconds shall be punished with condemnation ceeded to tell his beads with great devotion until to the gallies for ten years, if death doth not ensue, night-fall, when he fancied that he saw the eyes and which punishment can be increased to a longer and mouths of the Seneschal and his wife in motion-term than the ten years, in proportion to the exand he distinctly heard the former addressing his cess committed." And furthermore, "if death doth wife, saying, "What dost thou think, my dear, of the daring of this Castilian who comes to dwell and eat in my castle, after having killed the commander without allowing him time to confess his sins ?"—to which the lady replied, in a very shrill voice, "I think that the Castilian acted with disloyalty on that occasion and should not be allowed to depart without the challenge of your glove." The terrified Spaniard sought the door of the hall, but found it locked, when the Seneschal threw his heavy iron gauntlet at his face, and brandished his sword. The Spaniard, thus compelled to defend himself, snatched up the sword that he had deposited, and falling on his fantastic antagonist, fancied that he had run him through the body, when he felt a stab from a burning weapon under the heart and fainted away. When he recovered from his swoon, he found himself in the porters lodge, to which he had been carried, but free from any injury. He returned to Spain, but ever after, on every Friday night, he received a similar burning wound from the visionary Taillefer; nor could any act of devotion, or payment of money to friars or priests relieve him from this horrible phantom."

The first place to which a stranger is carried by a Cicerone, on entering the famed church of St. John's, at Malta, is to a pretty little chapel on the right, at the head of which, and behind a small marble altar, is a celebrated painting representing the decapitation of the saint, after whom the beautiful building is named. It was only a few days ago that I was in this little chapel with the Hon. Mr. Cushing, who remained at this place for a day when on his way to China, and standing on the slightly raised platform, from which this much prized painting can be seen to the best advantage. The surly, savage countenance of the executioner who stands holding his axe above the trunkless corse, the fountain of gushing blood, and the gory visage of the fallen saint, have all been painted with a masterly hand. The singular manner in Tradition tells us of a fatal duel which took which this painting came into the possession of the place in Malta in 1780, and in which three of the order is worthy of being recorded. Michael Angelo four combatants fell-the seconds on the ground Caravaggio, whose many productions now so much having taken the part of their principals, a circum- adorn the different galleries of Florence, Rome and stance which at that time, in Italy, France and Naples, was once so much enraged by the declaraGermany, was not at all unfrequent. Two Italian tion of Arpino, that his paintings were not of so and two French cavaliers were the persons who much merit as many supposed them, that he sent engaged in this deadly and desperate conflict. The the critic a challenge to meet him in a mortal comquarrel originated at a card table, where the parties bat; saying also, that if he was fortunate enough had been betting high, and at a game which is still to kill him, he would have an agreeable subject for fashionable among sporting men, that of ecarte. another picture, even though he should be unable It appears that one of the French Monks was par- to do it justice. Arpino not disposed to grant the ticularly fortunate in turning kings and winning his artist the favor he asked, merely said to the person games only by the points which he scored in this who brought him the challenge, "go and tell Caraway. This so annoyed the Italian, that he is said vaggio that he and his daubs are equally beneath to have remarked, "Sir knight, your cards are my notice, and that if he even expects to fight with turned by a slight of hand, and I will play no me he must first rise from the grovelling rank in longer." The Frenchman simply told his friend which thus far he has been obliged to move." as he rose from the table, that he was going to the Caravaggio took the advice of Arpino, for he imchapel to pray, and from thence to the ditch of St. mediately left his studio at Rome, and, bidding adieu Angelo, where he might be found in less than an to his dissipated friends, came to the Island of hour. The hint which was conveyed in these Malta. This he did, hoping in time, by his paintwords was well understood, and at the appointed ings and his presents to the Grand-Master, to betime, the four priests were in the ditch to fight. come a knight of the order. He was not disapBefore sunset of that same day, both of the prin- pointed; For, after residing three years in Valetta, cipals, and one of the seconds were slain. This and painting the decapitation of St. John and some fatal duel took place in the reign of Rohan, a other scriptural pieces of equal ability, he was worthy prince who was strongly opposed to duel- made a monk of the Italian language, and permitted ling, and published the following laws for its pre- to wear the Maltese cross. His dignity, however,

came too late to enable him to fight with Arpino, [ A noble lord, by the name of Cochrane, figured for the critic was already dead some months before in the first duel at Malta after it became a British he received it. Under the habit of a priest, Cara-possession. He was challenged by Capt. Andora, vaggio does not appear to have improved his morals. a Major of Brigade, and in the first fire was shot "Seeking endless quarrels in the convent, he was through the thigh. This occurred in 1806. obliged to fly from this Island, and going to Rome, after killing his man, ended his days in abject poverty on the high road."

The next instance was that of an American naval officer who challenged one of General Oake's aidsde-camp, and shot him dead. This unfortunate meeting took place in 1806, at the time we were engaged in the Tripoline war.

The purser of the English frigate, “Regulus," in April, 1813, called out the Frst Lieutenant of the same ship. They fought in the ditches of Florian. Both having missed their man on the first shot, the only friend who was present was sent to town to

While this person was gone on his errand, the principals remained in the ditch looking at each other, though never a word passed between them. On the second discharge of their pistols the Lieutenant was killed.

Greatly is it to he regretted, that a person who was gifted with so much genius as Caravaggio should have been in his morals so debased; and also that he should have been spurred on to paint his happiest productions, and those of a religious nature merely to gratify a base and unchristian spirit of revenge. It was his wish to kill Arpino which made the knights of Malta indebted for a purchase some powder with which to fire again. beautiful painting, the more valuable to them, as it represented the decapitation of the saint, after whom their order was named. Being therefore considered as common property, it had the first place in their principal church, and so carefully is it now preserved, that having outlived the order, it may yet outlive its memory. It is not surprising, that Caravaggio should have so well succeeded in painting the most diabolical expressions of the human face, when we consider that he always had present before him a living model in his own person. Being a highwayman, a thief and a murderer, he enjoyed a decided advantage over his brother artists, for while they were obliged to go to prisons and galleys to seek for their characters, he had only to look at himself. Caravaggio well knew how a murderer both looked and felt. And it must be acknowledged, that it is chiefly owing to the circumstance of his having taken advantage of this knowledge which enabled him as a painter to acquire such distinguished celebrity.

In June, 1798, Napoleon drove the knights of

Malta from this Island, which had been the venerable home of the order for the long term of two hundred and sixty eight years. During the twentyseven months, while the French remained masters of Valetta, they were so seriously threatened with starvation, and so hardly pressed by their enemies, both at sea and on shore, that they had no time to fight with one another, even if they had been thus disposed. From their expulsion, in the fall of 1800, to the present day, the flag of Old England has been waving over the bastions of Malta, and duels of course have been of frequent occurrence. Dr. Griffiths, who so ably defended Capt. Levick when on his trial, has kindly furnished me with a list of meetings which have taken place at this Island since it came under the rule of his countrymen. It was prepared by the learned advocate to show the authorities of this place, that it was hardly just in them to take up Capt. Levick's "affair" with so much spirit, when they had, in other days, permitted duels of a still more aggravating nature to pass by wholly unnoticed.

Assistant Staff Surgeon, Grier, fought a duel with an officer of the 28th Regiment in the Cottonera, in 1817. Neither was wounded.

The noted duellist, Capt. Stafford, of the 10th Regiment, who was challenging people continually, was sent away from Malta, by Sir Thomas Maitland, that his diabolical wish of fighting with all his brother officers might no longer be gratified. Were this spirited measure of the gallant governor to become an established rule, we are well persuaded that few duels in this garrison would ever occur. Officers would hesitate a long time before sending, or accepting a challenge, if they knew that by so doing, they would risk the price of their commission, or be banished as a pest from the so

ciety in which they had been accustomed to move.

Some such laws as these must be enacted, or duelling in the Army and Navy will never be out of

fashion.

Lt. Mitchell, of the 68th Regiment, came up from Gibraltar with the Assistant Surgeon of the same corps as his second and fought at the Marsa with an officer of the Navy who had insulted him at Lisbon. Although it was publicly known, that this gentleman had taken this voyage to Valetta on purpose to fight, still the meeting took place without interruption, and Lt. Mitchell as leisurely left the Island as if he had come on a mission of peace.

It is not often that the Maltese have been engaged in duels, although we have found the two or three following instances to mar their usually peaceable character. Count Sant fought with Mr. Giammalva behind Spinola, and Ensign Consolat of the Malta Royal Fencibles was arrested by the police at Bighi, as he was going on the ground to fight with a commander of a gun brig whom he had challenged.

In 1825, the Marquis of Hastings✶ cancelled the appointment of Mr. Caruana in the Maltese Regiment because he had declined to fight a duel with Capt Bussiet, who is now a Major of the same corps. It is surprising, that the Marquis of Hastings should have set so bad an example to the native population of the Island which he had been sent by the King of England to govern. The Maltese officers, if taken in a body, are a respectable set of men. If ever called into the service of their country they will never disgrace it.

noble lord who has recently fought at this Island and then we shall have done with our brief and imperfect account of the English duels at Malta within the last half century. At the very time that Capt. Levick's trial for the death of Lt. Adams was pending, and indeed at the very moment when both Capt. C. and his second were confined in prison to be tried for their lives, Lord Sussex Lennox* came out to Malta to fight with Capt. Norcott of the Rifle Brigade, who it was reported had corresponded with his lordship's wife. Major Studholme We have now to record a fatal duel which took Hodgson of the 19th Regiment appeared on the place between Col. Baylis of the 35th and Capt. ground as the friend of Lord Lennox, and Capt. Newman of the 20th Regiment. The former was Roper of the Rifles for Capt. Norcott. His lordthe aggressor throughout, and the latter was the ship is considered a first rate shot, and not without one who fell. Col. B. was so much enraged at reason, as he cut the cravat of his opponent and the conduct of a woman who had left him to go came within an inch of his life. Capt. Norcott, under Capt. Newman's protection, that on his having discharged his pistol in the air, the duel meeting this officer in the street, he struck him could not be continued. Lord Lennox was not with a cane, and then placing his hand on the hilt satisfied and expressed his determination to call on of his sword, told him if he was a man to draw the gallant rifleman again on some future occasion and defend himself. The unfortunate Captain for that satisfaction which, as an officer in Her Masaid to his assailant that he knew his duty better jesty's Army, he should be at all times ready to than to fight with a superior officer in that way, give him. From what we have said of duels and but that in the course of an hour he should send a duelling at Malta, one may well judge of the reckfriend to arrange for a meeting. On the first fire less conduct of military and naval men in an EnCapt. Newman fell mortally wounded. After his glish garrison town. death, Colonel Baylis was tried for murder, and acquitted because he was not the challenger.

The Honorable Lt. Perry and Lt. Hall, who were both in the 7th Fusiliers, exchanged shots on account of a Maltese belle who bestowed her smiles on each. After Lt. Hall had received his

Malta, Oct, 6th, 1843.

*A son of the Duke of Richmond.

adversary's ball through his right hand, the deli-"A PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF REGINALD DE LACY,"

cate affair was amicably arranged. A few years ago, two noble lords of this same regiment, Ranelagh and Chichester, had a misunderstanding at the "Union Club" about a game of backgammon. By the kind interference of the late lamented Sir Frederick Ponsonby the dispute was settled in an amicable way, and to the satisfaction of both.

FROM A MS. OF THE XVII CENTURY.

I have been a wanderer from my youth; the love of home, so strong a feeling with most men, has never found a place in my breast; restless and troubled has been the whole course of my existence; and the years which my contemporaries spent in the At a ball which was given by Admiral Rowley pursuit of lucre or of fame rolled almost unheeded in 1836, a Lieutenant of the Highlanders insulted by, whilst I was flying from clime to clime, in the a Passed Midshipman of our Navy by asking the vain hope of banishing from my memory the recolEnglish officer to whom our countryman was speak-lections which had embittered my early youth and ing, "pray who is your Yankee friend with his frozen up the warm current of my affections in a flying cravat." The Passed Midshipman hearing sullen and hopeless misanthropy. Many men conthis remark, immediately noticed it, by handing his sume their lives in a vain chase after the bubbles of card, and saying to the Scotchman, that he would Ambition, or Love, or Avarice, which lure them afar answer his question to-morrow. When the gal- from happiness and then burst into air before lant officers of this famed corps heard of the cir- their disappointed eyes, and then they blame their cumstance, they obliged the Lieutenant to go on" fortune" and not their folly for the result; but I board the American frigate and apologize for his have chased none of these shadows; the sole aim conduct. An honorable course, which created and of my life, since early youth, has been forgetfulkept alive a friendly feeling so long as our squad-ness of the past, and now, standing upon the verge ron remained. of the grave, I am forced to own the bitter lesson We have now only to make mention of another Experience has taught me, that there is "no Lethe Better known in America under the title of Lord Raw. for the Heart." I have sought it in the winning don of the 5th Fusiliers, of which corps he was a Lieute- smile of woman and in the fierce excitement of nant at the battle of Bunker Hill. war; I have searched for it in the intoxicating

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