There are many churches and monasteries in Malet; but the main and greatest thing here in the city, of course, is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The majestic entrance to it, from the square in the middle of the city, is excellent. Wanting to make this church worthy of being the cathedral of such a glorious order, nothing was spared. The famous painter, Cavalier Matas Preti (), painted vaults and plagons in it; He also wrote many images and paintings. At the entrance to the church, on the right hand, in the vicinity, there is an excellent painting by Correj, representing the Usfknovesh head of Shoan the Baptist. You need to know that the Maltese Order was divided into languages or peoples, such as: Spanish, Italian, French; The last one is even more subdivided: simply French, Auvergne, Provence, etc. Veya- (°) Izbetny under the name Calabrese. Some subdivisions had their own chapel in the cathedral, in which the gentlemen of each language gathered during the election of the Grandmaster. In these same areas are the tombs of many Grandmasters, among which the second tombs of H. Cotonero and Zondondari are worthy. But what is unique about this cathedral is its platform: it is made up of rich marble and even mosaic gravestones, above the gentlemen buried here. The right to do this was granted only to those who had more crosses. The stones are covered with inscriptions and coats of arms of deceased cavaliers. Many are composed of jasper, lanis and other rare stones. Small rukf, under the church, a crypt with a chapel: only Grandmasters were buried there when they did not prepare a special chapel for themselves in the church in advance. The rich altar is also worthy of being crowned: it is all made of oriental alabaster, lapis and jasper. A colossal group of white marble, placed behind the altar, represents Shoan the Baptist pouring baptismal water on the head of Christ; The picture is good, the figures are great, but I would like to see more simplicity and less brokenness in them, which would give them more importance and credibility. Now, there is no former wealth, no pomp in the service of nt, although on most holidays the Bishop and canons still perform services. During the short reign of the French, all the jewelry made of silver, gold and precious stones that belonged to the church were stolen by them and disappeared.
The Grand Master's Palace, now occupied by the English Governor-General, is a quadrangular building, firmly and correctly built on one floor. It has five large entrances, and it is divided into two halves, winter and summer. Their rooms are well decorated; On both halves of the yacht there are large halls where the Cavalry Council used to gather.
The highlight of the city is the great water supply: this building, worthy of the ancient Romans, was built in 4616 by Grand Master Ilof de Wignacourt-Boda, carried to the main square, across the entire island, from the old capital, Melita, or Medina, as the Saracens called it.
The Maltese present to the attentive observer two completely different populations: these are the inhabitants of the towns and the inhabitants of the villages: In the cities, especially in Lavalette, from daily communication with foreigners, they have already lost their character and their uniqueness. Here, in addition to the Maltese language, they speak French, Italian, English, German, and clothes vary according to the people; however, women, although at home they imitate foreign fashions, always appear on the streets and in churches in their national costume. It consists of a black dress and epanezchk, or mantila, loosely thrown over the head and shoulders; With it he covers his face, or leaves it open, depending on decorum and his own wolf.
Women here spend their entire lives inside their homes, and therefore you almost never see them in markets or shops. At home they read or write; but this too, they say, has recently been introduced and is permitted.
However, if the education of women here is not very brilliant, then it must be admitted that the education of men has not gone very far. I believe that this comes from their incessant employment in the flock trade, which is not capable of giving rise to high thoughts in any land. That is why young people, wanting to join the civil service or devote themselves to academic pursuits, go to foreign lands to gain the knowledge they need.