Malta is the meeting-place of East and West, and its position in the Mediterranean has determined its destiny. From the beginning of history every dominant race in the Mediterranean has held it at one time or another. Romans and Carthaginians fought for it: the Arabs occupied it for two centuries and left their mark on the language and the people: then came the Normans in the eleventh century and brought it into close contact with Europe; and finally, in 1530, it was handed over by the Emperor Charles V. to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, better known as the Hospitallers, who had been driven from Rhodes, their earlier home, after a great siege by the Turks. Thus Malta became an outpost of Christendom, barring Mohammedan progress westward, and a safe base for the knights in the perpetual war which they waged against the infidel in the eastern Mediterranean. It is no matter for surprise that three times in the course of twenty years the Turks besieged the knights with powerful armies; though each time they were beaten back with great slaughter. At the date of the third attack, in 1565, La Valette was Grand Master of the Order. On the retreat of the Turks he founded the new town of Valetta, round the harbour and forts which he had so well defended. The Order was wealthy, with vast possessions in Europe; princes and prelates contributed money as a thank-offering for victory over the Turk, and crowds of skilled workmen were brought over from the mainland. So the new city grew, with its fortifications and palaces, a fit home for a knightly aristocracy which was distinguished alike for its prowess in war and for its luxury in time of peace. The city remains much as it was. The Grand Master’s palace is now the residence of the Governor; here in the armoury we 39 can still see the armour and weapons of its former owners. At Citta Vecchia, the former capital, we find the old Court of 40 Justice converted into a hospital. Here again is the house 41 of one of the knights made useful as a government school, and here the Auberge, or club house, of the knights of Castile 42 in the occupation of the Royal Artillery; while the beautiful cathedral of St. John, built by the knights, still stands to 43 remind us of the combination of religion and fighting which was so characteristic of the mediæval world. We can still see, 44 also, the great aqueduct, built to bring water to the city from the distant springs. Everywhere we have preserved and adapted the work of the knights, so that Malta is a picture of the past for the most part unspoiled. [Illustration: _Copyright._) (_See page 3._ GIBRALTAR FROM THE WEST.] [Illustration: _Copyright._) (_See page 7._ THE ISTHMUS AND LINEA FROM THE GALLERIES.] [Illustration: _Copyright._) (_See page 14._ FORT ST. ANGELO, VALETTA.]