sion to this already lengthy letter. It is a stupendous ruin, lately excavated, near Casal Crendi, towards the south-east extremity of this island. The antiquarian world owe a debt of gratitude to Sir H. Bouverie for directing attention towards the complete disinterment of it, by which correct information was obtained as to its various dimensions, so that, through the industry and talent of a Mr. Vance, to whom the superintendence of the excavation was intrusted, the once irregular rows of hewn and unhewn blocks have given place to a regularly constructed building, exceeding,

of secrecy, probably Harpocrates. This was evidently a sacrificingchamber. The floor is inclined towards the entrance, where was a pit, no doubt to receive the blood of the victims immolated, and the water used in cleansing the place; while above is a long cut or groove in the roof, increasing in width towards the entrance, to allow the escape of smoke. The other chamber, i. e. the lefthand one, looking at them from without, was to contain water, and no doubt there was once there a running spring, very probably subsequently intercepted by excavating for water in the gardens above. A little water still exudes from the left-hand inner corner of the chamber, sufficient to keep it constantly muddy; and the rock at that corner has become extremely hard by the absorption of carbonic acid. A basin for water is cut out of the rock in this chamber, in the middle of which is a narrow place to stand upon, with grooves to allow the water to pass through it. The water here might have served for the ablution of sacrifices, or the middle room might perhaps have been used for the judges sitting in judgment on the dead, in order to decide whether they should enjoy the rites of burial; and the water in the other room might have been symbolical of the lake over which Charon carried them for that purpose, in the then mother country, in his boat.

"We think it a pity that the land in front of this triple excavation is not removed for a short distance, in order to bring to our knowledge whether anything was constructed before it, which we think highly probable. Indeed, the man who rents the field states, that once a massive wall was found near, under-ground; and that this attracted attention to the three entrances, then nearly entirely covered up."

in the style of its architecture and the variety of its furniture, anything yet discovered in this island. The general outline of the structure resembles two parallel compressed rhomboids, of unequal length, dividing into several apartments, leading one into another, with a number of appendant minor enclosures, of a circular, or oval form, branching off from the main limit of the edifice. The extreme area measures one hundred and five feet by seventy feet. The outer wall averages ten feet in height, and is constructed of one tier of immense stones, chiefly hewn, placed vertically on their lesser base, and joined together, in many instances, with great exactness. Without this enclosure, at the southern extremity, stand four colossal slabs, from fourteen to twenty feet high, and covering a line of twentyseven feet by their united width.

The chief entrance appears to have been from the southeast, opposite to which is one of smaller dimensions, and another by a gradual descent of a few steps through the enclosure. The secondary chambers are also furnished with entrances, preceded by a pair of broad stairs, in the lower of which are two holes, about thirty inches in circumference, in shape something resembling two obtuse inverted cones, cut out with tolerable skill.

The first grand entrance of the building, on entering from the south-east, is divided into three almost equal parts, by two corresponding partitions, each containing a door-way connecting the chambers together. In the central square division is an oblong stone, placed upright in a rude niche, with a shelf below, and bearing the figure of two serpents encompassing the lower section of an oval body. Close by it is a small pilaster, in the sides of which are four wide grooves, each bearing a basso-relief design of a tree, perhaps intended to represent the Ashayrah. The second grand section is connected with that already

described by an opening in the wall which separates them, and is less complicate, having fewer divisions. The area to the right of the entrance is slightly declivitous, until it reaches a circular row of stone slabs, four feet high, gradually inclining outwards towards the top, so forming a species of basin, with a narrow aperture left in the circumference. On either side of the wall towards the left, are two rude cells, the roofs of which are each formed of a single stone, and supported chiefly by the wall over which they hang. The above is but an imperfect sketch of the most colossal remains of a once magnificent edifice.

The ruins exercised the minds of the most scientific men with conjectures and theories, about their origin; and it may perhaps appear presumptuous in me to differ from such men as Sir Gardner Wilkinson, Professor Orioli of Bologna, &c. &c.; but as nothing can be said with absolute certainty, I hope to be borne with by your Grace. All agree in referring these ruins to be a building of a very remote period, reaching far back into the ages preceding the advent of Christ. Various, however, are the views taken respecting the use of the structure. May I venture to opine that the ruins are the vestiges of an edifice which belonged to the very first inhabitants of this little world, viz., the Phoenicians? Who knows but that those people were akin to the Emims-" a people great and many, and tall as the Anakims," who inhabited Moab in the time of Abraham ?*

Several are the derivations which critics have conjectured respecting the appellation of Gebel Khem, which is given to the ruins, by some termed Hagiar Khem

-the former is more common. Some think that "mountain of Ham" is the meaning of the former; they make Gebel to be the Arabic word for mountain, and Khem, *Deut. II. 10.

a corruption of the Hebrew word on Cham or Ham, the name of the youngest son of Noah, whose descendants are supposed to have peopled Egypt, and hence the ruins are the remains of a temple, in which Ham was worshipped; as that patriarch was deified by the Egyptians, and considered the fountain of light. Others again, consider both words Arabic, and render them "mountain of worship." A third party prefer the name of Hegiar Khem to speculate upon, and translate the appellation "the upright stone." It pleases me to consider that both words in the appellation are of Phoenician origin, and signify, in the Tyrian language, "the appointed land-mark," or "raised landmark," such would be the literal translation of the Phoenician words op 2, Gebel or Gebul Kam. The ruins, therefore, I conjecture to be the relics of a structure erected either for the purpose of a watch-tower, or landmark. Its situation supports the theory, standing close to the sea, and on a very eminent position. I would venture, moreover, to opine that the subterranean triple temple, and the original of these ruins were made in the same era; the former for religious purposes, and the latter for civil. I trust your Grace will kindly excuse the imperfect manner in which I state my views. I have but little time for writing at present: the principal occupation of a traveller-during his peregrinations-is seeing, hearing, and thinking. In fact, I should have written nothing about Malta, until all my ideas became matured and confirmed by more thought and reflection, but I have done it in compliance with your Grace's wishes, and am confident that you will make due allowances for the imperfections, both of style and sound criticism.

I have the honour, my Lord Archbishop,
To subscribe myself, &c.

LETTER XVII.

TO MIRIAM NAOMI ESTHER.

My dear Miriam,

Malta, Sept. 1847.

But the difficulty I of a suitable subject

You will no doubt be looking out for a letter from your papa, from this pretty little island, and I should be very sorry indeed to disappoint you. have to contend with is the choosing for an epistle to a young lady at school. It occurred to me, you might be pleased with a brief sketch of the history of this spot, which might prove both interesting and instructive. I intend to tell you nothing about the geography of this island; for this, I presume, you have learned already at school.

An old anonymous writer observed, with reference to the history of Malta, that "the imaginary sallies of philosophers and poets disguising the truth of a common origin under ingenious allegories, applauded by the variety of people, and intending to trace the formation of societies, the foundation of cities, and the creation of empires to the children of the gods, render the history of Malta, in common with that of all other nations, obscured by fable." Whoever said it, spoke the truth. It is supposed that Homer-the prince of Greek poets-is the first that ever noticed it under the name of the "Island of Hyperia," which was, according to his statement, first peopled by the Phœcians, a race of giants:

"whose haughty line

Is mixt with gods, half human, half divine.”

The name of the Governor of that time was Euromidon. This extraordinary race of men-who are described as