"_August 4._--This morning our captain was invited to dine with the Grand Master, which hindered our departure. In the mean time wee have severall of the Malteese com to visit us, all extreamly courteous. And now wee are preparing to sail for Tripoly. Deus vortat bene. "Thus wee, th' 'Assistance,' and the new Sattee, Doe steare our course poynt blanke for Trypoly; Our ship new rigged, well stord with pigg, and ghoose a, Henns, ducks, and turkeys, and wine cald Syracoosa." The Rev. Mr. Teonge, having returned to Malta on the 11th of January, 1675-6, thus continues:-- "This morning wee see the famous island of Malta; coming under Goza, a small island adjoyning to Malta, wee discover a sayle creeping closse to the shoare; we hayle her with a shott--she would not budge; we sent a second, and then a third, falling very neare her; then the leiuetenant cam aboard us, and payd for the shott; it proved a pittifull Frenchman." "_January 12._--A little after one a clock wee are at anchor in Malta harbour, _and have many salutes_. But we have no prattick by reason of the plague, which is begun heare." "_January 15._--This morning wee warp out of the harbour with six merchantmen and a doggar, which wee are to convoy towards the strait's mouth. Here also wee took in two mounths' provisions and fresh water. And as wee goe out wee meete six gallys of Malta coming in in all their pompe, and they salute us, and wee them, and part. And heare at Malta (which was very strainge to mee), at this time of the year, wee have radishes, cabbiges, and excellent colly flowers, and large ones for a penny a-piece." On the 29th January, 1675-6, the reverend writer again returned to Malta, and made under this date the following note:-- "This day David Thomas and Marlin, the coock, and our master's boy, had their hands stretched out, and with their backs to the rayles, and the master's boy with his back to the maine mast, all looking one upon the other, and in each of their mouths a mandler spike, viz., an iron pinn clapt closse into their mouths, and tyd behind their heads; and there they stood a whole houre, till their mouths were very bloody, _an excellent cure for swearers_." "_February 4._--This day dined with us Sir Roger Strickland, Captaine Temple, Captaine Harrice, and one gentleman more. Wee had a gallant baked pudding, an excellent legg of porke, and colliflowers, an excellent dish made of piggs' petti-toes, two roasted piggs, one turkey cock, a rosted hogg's head, three ducks, a dish of Cyprus burds, and pistachoes and dates together, and store of good wines." "_February 5._--God blesse those that are at sea! The weather is very bad."