Читать книгу Notes and Queries, Number 71, March 8, 1851 - Various - Страница 4

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 Archæological 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 archæologist, 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 précis 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 archæology, 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.

Précis 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 Archælogical Journal, December, 1850, p. 369.