I had a rather enjoyable time in Malta. The English here, like everywhere else, live in their own separate society. Mr. Nogent called me to dinner; We sat down at the table at 8 pm and sat until eleven. Until the ladies left the table, the conversation was rather silent; but when the men remained drinking, the conversation became quite noisy, although not entertaining: they were waiting for Lord Ponsonby to return, they talked a lot about Churchill’s Constantinople adventure, praising the persistence of their ambassador, and they wanted, it seems, to lure me into this conversation; however, I rejected it, saying that I, however, was there, but heard little about this dBl, studying antiquities and preparing to leave for Azya. I added that the whole thing seemed to end in money, and after that everyone was satisfied. Getting up from the table, we went to the ladies, who, in another room, were already pouring nai. Between them there was a girl of rare beauty. I have never seen such beauty and regularity of a face, such softness of skin and vivacity of blush. Especially the color of her hair was wonderful: completely red, with a golden tint, but one could not call her red. This is something unimaginably lovely! Moreover, the dzvitsa was very kind, cheerful, and while talking to me she asked: “Have I ever seen hair like hers?” - When I answered that I had not seen them, she added: “I think because they are rare among us: I take very good care of mine, and I’m afraid that they will lose this ebb; then I would be a redhead: and this is very disgusting. “She asked me about my gazelle, and earnestly asked for it for herself. I readily agreed, although it was a pity to part with my dear Ahrikanka. I could easily take you to Italsh; but it would be difficult there: it’s impossible to put him in a stagecoach or in a carriage. Here, at least, I provided her with a good mistress who could take care of her. Admiral Briggs's wife, a very kind and nice lady, sat next to me and joked about her fellow countrywoman, who thought so much about her hair. Madame Brighe's husband invited me to his place the next day, offering to show me the naval arsenal and their new hospital. The evening ended very happily with music. The golden-haired beauty played the macaw beautifully.
The next day, the Admiral sent me his boat, and I sent it to him. We went with. him into the arsenal. He showed me the workshop first: everything was in extreme order and cleanliness8. In the spare store, he told me with national complacency: “You see that if tomorrow I receive orders from the Admiralty to arm an entire squadron, then in less than a month I can send four or five battleships to sea: I will not need anyone’s help. " - It's true, Admiral; but inspecting your reserves, I realized with particular pleasure how necessary Russian trade is for England. - “Why 2” - Because almost all of these reserves are from Roses. For example: these huge pine beams, these masts, are from us; striped iron....—“Oh, as for the iron,” the Admiral interrupted, “we have our own abyss. -This is true; only it is capable of forging carriages and codes, but it is not suitable for ships; there are too many sulfur parts in it. - “We can clean this up. - “Then it will become more valuable to you than the Russian one. But, for example, there are whole sheds piled with canvas, Elamite linens, and here with ropes and cords. Everything is from our hemp and our flax! `There are barrels of natural lard; Here is a Russian board. - “We get hemp from Amerlka. " --- Is it true; but you admit, Admiral, that you do not make anchor ropes from the American dog; Are they weak and cannot replace the Russians? “He admitted it, he just told me that they get half of the boards from Norway. “But what do you conclude from all this?” Mr. Briggs asked me. “That Angma and Rossel have much more reasons to live amicably, as has always been the case, than to be at enmity with each other: both powers, in commercial relations, have one another in need, and have long been accustomed to love and respect one another.” “I completely agree with you on this,” answered the Admiral.
When we finished looking at the arsenal, he went home, saying that he would be waiting for me for breakfast, and I went to the naval hospital.