MALTA.
On Seredu, 18 Nonya, on a clear morning, we approached Malet. At first the white shores of the island appeared, and towers of the same color, built on it in different places. These are guard fortifications from which they previously warned residents about the approach of sea robbers, or the landing of enemies. Nowadays they support quarantine supervision and help customs officials prevent the secret transportation of goods. Approaching the city of Lavalette, a foreigner cannot help but be surprised and delighted. Built on a hill and surrounded by stone bastions, the city is separated by the most extensive and reliable marinas, the likes of which are found in the Mediterranean. On one side is the so-called Bolynaya Marina: it is protected on one side by the Saint-Elmo fortress, and on the other by the Ricosol fortress; nosredinf her castle Sainte-Ange. There are four rows of batteries arranged like an amphitheater, and deep ditches cut into the rock; On the left hand are two huge Ukrainian flags, called bigaziez. Promant and military items are stored in them. The picturesque view around Lavaletta towards the sea is formed by three towns: Vitorgosa, Cospicua and Senglea. The latter occupies the St. Michael's Peninsula. Two Grandmasters, both from the Gami Khotoners, wanted to connect these three cities with a common fence made up of bastions, which would not only serve as protection, but in the event of an enemy attack and a shelter for all surrounding residents, with their property and livestock. This huge predilection, which amazed Louis XG himself, was not fulfilled. In the small inner pier surrounding the three cities and separating them from Lavalette, there is a naval hospital, a commissary, shops, in a word, all the accessories of the Navy. As soon as our ship began to enter the first pier, it was surrounded by quarantine bailiffs on boats and taken straight to the second pier, designated solely for quarantine ships. It is called Marsamukheti. It has more shops; the infirmary for those living in quarantine is extensive and conveniently located in many compartments; all precautions for separation from the city were taken prudently and strictly observed, but with all politeness. However, a traveler in quarantine can enjoy everything he wants, receive the most luxurious food, and everything that can relieve the boredom of his solitude. He easily receives books, magazines, musical instruments, sheet music from the city, in a word, everything he wants. It is true that the British charge dearly for everything, but it is also true that everything is good. I was given a special room, with a balcony overlooking the pier. I found in it mahogany furniture, a good bed with mosquito-proof curtains, and clean and fine linen. But what was most pleasant for me was the company of a fellow countryman, 0. 0. Furman, with his beautiful wife and mother-in-law who entered quarantine with me, therefore, the time of our imprisonment should have ended in one day. We met soon. Gn Furman's uncle was my funeral friend. We united our household and ate everything every day.
This is how we spent our time: in the morning the bailiff appointed to us (he was also a servant, concerned about our health, and took our orders about the post and about everything we needed for that day; he gave us letters when they arrived by mail, and took ours for sending; he reported about us to the doctor and the chief caretaker. When we went out for a walk along the embankment (it was determined for us by it) a fenced-off space, 75 steps in length, the bailiff was with us, so that we could not accidentally communicate with the Kfi. When we returned home, he locked the outer door with a key; however, he lived and dined with our people. Besides the doctor, who was an Englishman, all the officials in quarantine were Maltese, or Italians. The doctor visited us twice a week, and examined us. from a distance. The chief overseer visited, in passing, almost every day, and every time he asked: were we satisfied, and did we need anything? Every request was immediately satisfied; but we eagerly asked for something, because we were always satisfied, and, thanks to God, our food was excellent: they brought us, from the best tavern in the city, always six courses and the best fish. all kinds of beef and lamb are good; any kind of greens are available. The table cost us, in addition to the wine we took, each according to our own taste, five rubles per person; We paid two rubles for furniture and bedding, about ten in total. rubles per day. There was plenty left from our table for the bailiff and our two valets. In the evenings, after a walk, Mr. Furman and I read, often velukh, in turns. His wife is gifted with a voice that I have rarely heard; she performed with extraordinary poignancy, accompanying herself on the piano.