No. 99. Saturday, 31st. July 1841. CHURCH AT MUSTA. According to the promise in our last number we now present our readers with a continuation of our article on the new Church at Musta, with at the same time a design of its ground plan. The scale attached to this, may serve to give an idea of the immensity of the building and those who have seen the part already raised will agree with us as to the propriety of calling it Colossal. The main body of the Church consists of a perfect circle of about 200 feet in the extreme diameter. Two additional portions stand out from this at opposite points: presenting each a front of about 125 feet. The front projection facing the square of the village, forms the portico, which is recessed between the two Bell Towers. In the original design presented by Mr. Grognet, we are told that the Portico was much broader, occupying the complete front aspect of the building;-by which the whole would have had a more magnificent and splendid appearance. - Reasons of economy however prevailed and the architect changed his plan, introducing the present light and in our opinion equally effective portico, or peristyle as it might be called in this case. Its columns are of the Ionic order with engaged columns behind, with niches between some, and the three entrance doors between the others. The two Bell Towers are complete, and the great height of the building may be judged of, from these towers being only two thirds of the contemplated height of the central dome. The projection at the other end of the main building contains the sacristies or vestries, and a series of rooms in an upper floor as habituations for a certain number of priests to be attached to the church. [Price 1d. Instead of columns as at the Portico, this front is embellished with pilasters. A main door way leads through small arcades right and left, to the vestries. The pilasters which we have just noticed are continued all round the building to the portico. This first story is complete, and that above it will have nearly the same height, but instead of pilasters (see the front elevation) will be placed large circular headed windows with hood moldings above them.* Under the cornice will be a running band of lotus and honeysuckle ornament in relief, and the cornice will have some kind of Grecian tile at the top by way of ornament.-At this point the building is recessed forming a gallery all round; from which an attic story rises completing the perpendicular portion of the building. Above the cornice of the attic is a second gallery, and then a series of twelve steps leads up to a leaf ornament which gradually gathers in till it reaches the top or third gallery;-at the back aspect there is however a series of smaller steps by which the ascent is rendered much easier and which are continued up to the third gallery. This is composed of a large egg and tongue molding supported by large projecting brackets. Its height from the ground or base of the edifice measures about 180 feet so that the view from it will necessarily extend all over Malta, and even admit of Gozo being distinctly seen. Lastly comes the glass lantern surmounted by a colossal winged figure with a wreath in her right hand, meant to represent some messenger angel. The total height of the Edifice will be about 200 feet. On comparing this church of Musta with the Pantheon in Rome, we find the diameter of the former equal to that of the latter, when the thickness of the walls is included in both cases in the calculation. If these be excluded, then the diameter of the interior of the Pantheon surpasses that of the Church at Musta, for the walls of this, haying most necessarily been built of an immense thickness, are equal to a 5th. part of its interior, whereas those of the Pantheon only take up one sixth part. The elevation of the temple at Musta is greater than that of the Pantheon which is as broad as it is high. Mr. Grognet insists that in a round temple the height should surpass the breadth, and he has acted up to this in his plan. The diameter of the lantern of the Pan theon measures full 28 feet while that of the church at Musta only measures 18. The interior of the temple widely differs from that of the Pantheon.-As yet while the old church remains occupying the centre, it is scarcely possible to form any idea. of what it may become. It will contain one large and six small chapels. In the largest will be placed of course the principal altar. As the work progresses, we shall have much pleasure in returning to the subject, and publishing a drawing of the interior as it is to be. The village of Musta is about five miles from town and is seated in rather a pleasant valley. It numbers about 6000 inhabitants almost all of the poorest class, and the contrast between the houses which form the sides of the village square, and the front of the temple now erecting, is, we would say, painful and saddening. It is not uncommon among the country people here to boast of, and pretend to, some superiority from the pomp of the religious festivals of their villages. Their neighbours of Naxaro long crowed over the Mustese, by decanting the merits of their Madonna, and the grand fireworks on the Explanation of the letters and figures in the Front Elevation and Ground Plan, as given to us by the Architect himself, Mr. Grognet. (GROUND PLAN.) 1. Steps leading to the principal altar. 8. Four niches for colossal statues of the Evangelists. 9. 24 places set apart for Mausoleums. 10. A lantern to give light to the Choir. 11. Two minor orchestras with organs in the Choir. 12. Choir containing 64 seats. 13. Body of St. Pacific placed under a picture of the Holy Virgin. 14. Vestry for the several confraternities or orders. 15. Vestry and chapel for the Clergy. 16. Spiral staircase to the vaults. 17. The two doors to the yestries. 18. Dwelling rooms for the Clergy. 19. Principal entrance to the vaults. 20. The principal altar. (FRONT ELEVATION.) B. Level of the raised Ground before the church. C. Equestrian statue of St. George. D. Equestrian statue of St. Paul. E. Tympanum of the Frontispice in which is to be placed a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and 12 Apostles in relief. F. 12 large steps by which the Dome may be mounted on all sides. G. Four niches for colossal statues of the Four Evangelists-(will perhaps be omitted.) H. A bronze winged figure. I. The highest gallery. L. The lantern. M. N. Clocks. night of her festival; but we lately casually happened to overhear a conversation between a Mustese and a Naxarine which shews that the day of rejoicing is already anticipated by the former.-The latter boasted of his festa "Tana festa" "Tana Madonna" "Our's is a feast, our's a Madonna."-The former coolly shrugging up his shoulders answered "Meskin, raitiesh il kniesia tana"-"poor fellow, have you seen our church" -we hope the Mustese may not be disappointed and that Mr Grognet may live to see his labours crowned with success, in the completion of so noble an edifice and with necessarily limited funds. BENEFITS OF GENERAL AND POPULAR SCIENCE. Men of genius, in former times, have often languished in obscurity, not because their merits were neglected, but because they were not understood. This however, can scarcely happen in the present day, in which all sources of useful information are laid open, and in which unparalleled exertions have been made in different classes of society to diffuse improvement, and to promote all objects of inquiry which can benefit or enlighten the public. There are other uses, still greater uses, resulting from the communication of general and popular science. By means of it vulgar errors and prejudices are constantly diminished. It offers new topics for conversation, and new interests in life. In solitude, it affords subjects for contemplation, and for an active exercise of the understanding; and in cities, it assists the cause of Religion and morality, by preventing the increase of gross luxury, and indulgence in vicious dissipation. Mr. Grognet is descended from a French family which was obliged to leave France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Man is designed for an active being, and his He was already noted for his proficiency in spirit, ever restless, if not employed upon worthy architecture, before he entered into the ser- and dignified objects, will often rather engage in vice of Napoleon under whom he served mean and low pursuits, than suffer the tedious and listless feelings connected with indolence; for 13 years in the Civil and Military deand knowledge is no less necessary in strengthenpartment of Engineers, particularly employing the mind, than in preserving the purity of the ed in the preparation and drawing out of plans. It was once a favourite walk of our's which we gladly recommend to those who are fond of long excursions on foot.-Let them visit the church at Musta, then following the ravine of Uied il Hasel where the hermitage of St. Paul and its cool spring may detain them in pleasing yet deep thought for a while, they should reach the heights of Naxaro just as the sun sets. The view from these is grand, nor does the wide expanse of sea which presents itself, add little beauty and grandeur to the scene. Ere the last ray sets, let them again look back at the bell towers of the church in Musta, then all round; while resting, let them muse for a short time upon the many associations connected with the places before them, and we are confident they could not return home repeating that all is barren from "Dan to Bethsaida." The art of spreading rumours may be compared to the art of pin making. There is usually some truth, which I call the wire; as this passes from hand to hand, one gives it a polish, another a point, others make and put on the head, and at last the pin is completed.-REV. J. NEWTON. affections and the heart. CAUSE OF FORGETTING CHRIST.-The reason why the men of the world think so little of Christ is, they do not look at him. Their backs being turned from the sun, they only see their own shadows, and are therefore wholly taken up with themselves; while the true disciple looking only upward, sees nothing but his Saviour, and learns to forget himself.-Dr. Payson. PERMANENT BEAUTY is not that which consists in symetry of form, dignity of mien, gracefulness of motion, loveliness of colour, regularity of features, goodliness of complexion, or cheerfulness of countenance, because age and disease, to which all are liable, and from which none are exempt, will sooner or later destroy all these. That alone is permanent beauty which arises from the purity of the mind, and the sanctity of the heart, the agreeableness of the manners and, chasteness of the conversation Ifthe outward form be handsome, it appears to greater advantage; and if it be not so, it is as easily discerned, and as justly appreciated. That" ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," which in the sight of God is of great price, ought to be so in the judgment of men. The MALTA PENNY MAGAZINE is published and sent to Subscribers, in Valetta, every Saturday. Subscriptions at Is. per quarter received at No. 97. Str. Forni. No. 100. Saturday, 7th. August 1841. THE ENGLISH KNIGHTS OF MALTA. (received for insertion.) We almost consider it our duty to apologize to our readers for not having yet brought before them the subject of the English knights of the Order of St. John. France so unquestionably stands preeminent in the history of the Order;-L'Isle Adam and La Vallette both Frenchmen are so deservedly celebrated, that she may well glorify herself for having given to the Order not only the greatest number of knights but also the most celebrated and distinguished men. Yet the present possession of this Island by the English, and the increasing regard❘ for that nation which we are happy to notice among the natives, must make all allusion to the past connexion of the English with this Island highly pleasing and interesting. England had many brave knights among the Order, and the English Language (or national division) of the knights was respected to the last days of the extinction of the Order of Hospitallers. Few will recognize in the accompanying design of the " Auberge d' Angleterre" the building as it now presents itself. Such is its present miserable aspect, that few on passing it would entertain the least idea of its ever having been an Auberge. The. Auberges of the three Gallic Languages Auvergne, Provence, and France will be readily pointed out, but who knows any thing of that of England? It stands not far from the Auberge di Castille. Its front faces the little square which is to the right of that building and in which are the other churches of the "Vittoria" and "Sta. Caterina." Its ruins may be said to have commenced with the suppression of the English language and is now in fact complete. It is used at present as a Bakery, &c. [Price 1d. England, whilst Popish, entered into all the furious ardours of the Holy Wars against the Infidels, and the Crusaders had never a braver captain than Richard I. king of England, gloriously styled Caur-de-Leon! This free and fearless champion of the Cross, was heard to exclaim indignantly, when in Palestine, he beheld his troops seized with an unreasonable panic,-" Those who are unwilling to rescue, are unworthy to view the sepulchre of Christ!" We had no English grandmasters, but we have instances of English knights, fighting bravely in the cause of Christendom, against the spread of the Mussulman power. A knight, named Newport, of the English language, an old naval officer, who, in daring to brave the sea, and subdue the raging waves by his superior skill, that he might relieve the Order besieged by the Turks at Rhodes, was wrecked off cape Desert, and met a devoted and glorious death, whilst the other ships sent to relieve the knights, kept in the ports fearing the storms. When the dissappointed Dragut was obliged to abandon Malta, being under the command of Sinam Solyman's general, who was alarmed at the strength and situation of fort St. Angelo, he with the Ottoman troops, determined to make a descent upon Gozo, which succeeded, owing to the cowardice of the governor, "the only instance of the kind which had ever happened," says the historian, in the Order. But it would appear, that even on this occasion the valour of Englishmen was not to suffer, for it is added:"One English cavalier alone fired upon the Turks; but this brave man being killed by a shot from the enemy's battery, no one had sufficient courage to take his place." The English commander Upton lost his life by the valour which he displayed, when with thirty knights, and four hundred native volunteers, he opposed the landing of |