A Ramble in Malta and Sicily, in the Autumn of 1841

This illustrated 1842 work blends antiquarian notes on temples and castles with picturesque descriptions of natural history.

George French Angas (Author)

9781108054683, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 March 2013

208 pages, 14 b/w illus. 1 colour illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.1 cm, 0.37 kg

In the autumn of 1841, George French Angas (1822–86) abandoned his conventional career in the City of London for a life of art, travel and zoology. Inspired by a childhood fascination with natural history, his accounts blend detailed antiquarian descriptions of temples and palaces with picturesque notes on livestock and wildlife. Published in 1842, this work was the first of Angas' books to charm the British reading public, and its success launched his new career as a prolific chronicler and illustrator of foreign lands. Opening with the journey to Malta, Angas begins his tour in Valetta, taking in the forts of St Elmo and St Angelo and various tapestries and paintings en route. In Sicily, he continues to document Mediterranean culture, making also an ascent of Mount Etna. Illustrated with fourteen engravings, this book displays the charm and diversity that defines the best nineteenth-century travel writing.

Introduction
Illustrations
1. Voyage to Malta
2. Arrival at Malta - description of Valetta
3. Sunset - country house of Mr Agius - Cattle and goats
4. The knights of St John of Jerusalem
5. Palace - armoury - tapestry and paintings
6. Auberges of the knights - hospitals
7. Walls and fortifications - castles of St Elmo and St Angelo - forts Ricasoli, Tigné, and Manoel
8. Ramble in the country - Pietà - baths
9. Costume - dress of the country people
10. Walk to Marsa Scirocco - excursions to Macluba, and the ruins of Hajar Kim
11. Excursion to St Paul's Bay - Mellieha, and the grotto of Calypso
12. Visit to the gardens and palace of St Antonio, and Citiva Vecchia, the ancient capital of Malta
13. Expedition to the island of Gozo - the General's Rock - Rabbato, and the Giant's Tower
14. Convent of the Capuchin friars
15. Public library - cathedral of St John - churches and nunneries
16. Floriana gardens - Il Grotto - naturalists
17. Market - hotels - cafés - prices of provisions
18. Departure from Malta
19. Voyage from Malta to Syracuse
20. Rivers Anapus and Papyrus - temple of Jupiter Olympus, and the Fonte Ciané
21. Tyche - Neapolis - Fort Labdalus - the quarries of the philosophers - Strada del Tombe - subterranean passage - temple of Ceres
22. Museum - temple of Minerva - fountain of Arethusa - ear of Dionysius - garden of paradise - aqueduct - nymphaeum - tripod of Apollo - Strada Sepulchrale in Neapolis
23. Theatre - ampitheatre - catacombs - chapel of San Giovanni - tomb of St Marcian - convent and garden of the Cappuccini - fortifications - return to Syracuse - costume of the inhabitants
24. Journey on mules to Catania
25. City of Catania - Ferdinand and Isabella - illuminations - Abbate's hotel
26. Catania - Prince Biscari's museum - cathedral - Greek theatre - subterranean amphitheatre - ancient baths, etc.
27. Nicolosi - expedition to Etna
28. Route from Catania to Messina
29. Trip to the Faro - Scylla and Charybdis
30. Return to Etna - hospitality at Riposto - ascent of the mountain
31. Visit to the Castagno di Cento Cavallos
32. Taormina - journey to Messina
33. Messina - public gardens - cathedral - shrine of St Placido - marina, streets, convents, and public buildings
34. Voyage from Messina to England.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]