Let me call _your_ attention, as well as that of your readers (for good may
come from both), to an article in the December No. of the _Archaeological
Journal_, 1850, entitled "Notice of Documents preserved in the Record
Office at Malta;" an article which I feel sure ought to be more publicly
known, both for the sake of the reading world at large, and the high
character bestowed upon the present keeper of those records, M. Luigi
Vella, under whose charge they have been brought to a minute course of
investigation. There may be found here many things worthy of elucidation;
many secret treasures, whether for the archaeologist, bibliopole, or herald,
that only require your widely disseminated "brochure" to bring nearer to
our own homes and our own firesides. It is with this view that I venture to
express a hope, that a _precis_ of that article may not be deemed
irregular; which point, of course, I must leave to your good judgment and
good taste to decide, being a very Tyro in archaeology, and no book-worm
(though I really love a book), so I know nothing of _their_ points of
etiquette. At the same time I must, in justice to Mr. A. Milward (the
writer of the notice, and to whom I have not the honour of being known),
entreat his pardon for the plagiarism, if such it can be called, having
only the common "reciprocation of ideas" at heart; and remain as ever an
humble follower under Captain Cuttle's standard.
One Corporal WHIP.
PRECIS of _Documents preserved in Record Office, Malta_.
Six volumes of Records, parchment, consisting of Charters from
Sovereigns and Princes, Grants of Land, and other documents connected
with the Order of St. John from its establishment by Pope Pascal II.,
whose original bull is perfect.
Two volumes of Papers connected with the Island of Malta before it came
into the possession of the Knights, from year 1397 to beginning of
sixteenth century.
A book of Privileges of the Maltese, compiled about 200 years ago.
Several volumes of original letters from men of note: among whom we may
mention, Viceroys of Sicily, Sovereigns of England. One from the
Pretender, dated 1725, from Rome; three from Charles II., and one from
his admiral, John Narbrough. Numerous Processes of Nobility, containing
much of value to many noble families; of these last, Mr. Vella has
taken the trouble of separating, all those referring to any English
families.
Also a volume of fifteenth century, containing the accounts of the
commanderies. This is a continuation of an older and still more
interesting volume, which is now in the Public Library.
For further particulars, see _Archaelogical Journal_, December, 1850, p.
369.
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