1839 July 26

...liminary step to his landing in Egypt, the English therefore on the 26th Sept) in the same year put the Islands in a state of strict blockade which was continued until their surrender on 4th Sept 1800.   Having said this much of the history of Malta from the British period it only remains to notice its present state & appearance; and surely it can not be compared to anything so appropriately as an immense holy stone, & so tardy has nature been in providing for the support of its inhabitants that every portion of earth on its surface has at one time or another been brought over from Sicily; the industry & perseverance of man has however wrought an astonishing change from a perfectly barren & soulless rock;...