328

MALTESE CRITICISM.

place of them. This mode of speaking is proper and common to the east. And by aid of the Maltese language, very many other words will find a comment."

ཝཱ

The author then goes on to notice the derivation of certain Greek words, which he maintains originated in the Phoenician language. "Thus Kaduoc, Cadmus, the man so celebrated among the Greeks. Because he first brought letters from Phoenicia into Greece he was called Cadmus, either from the Phoenician Cadm, (or in Maltese with the Qor*, Cadm,) that is, one who conveys or carries, from the radical verb Cadem. Hence our enlarged Caddem jaaddem, to carry, to bear, to bring to any one. Or Cadmus may be derived from Cadim (with the Qor Cadim) ancient. It also signifies first, as it does in the Syriac: thus the Greeks, mindful of this renowned person, called him Cadmus-that is, ancient or first, because he first brought letters to them.

"Mvorýpiov, mystery, is rather from MYSΜυστήριον,

aut ."

QOF; epiglotticum, acutum et gutturale,

V

MALTESE BIBLICAL CRITICISM.

329

TUR, to lie hid, to hide, of Phoenician origin, than from the Greek pow, to shut. MYSTUR with us signifies covered, veiled, that which is hid or concealed; from jystor, to conceal, to cover, &c. which in Hebrew is, to lie hid.

"Bápßapot, barbarians, (vide 28 chap. of the Acts of the Apostles, ver. 1 and 3.) has received various interpretations. The most natural and genuine meaning in this place may, I think, be found by looking to the origin of the expression. Barbarus is a word altogether eastern, passed to the Greeks and Latins by the course of time. Originally it signified no more than a rustic, a husbandman, or occupier of a wilderness: for it is compounded of two words, BAR, the Syriac for a son, and BARR, a plain, field, or wood. Which word (barr) remains also in the Maltese tongue. Thus we say, Яamŷm yl barr, wood-pigeons, or wild doves, &c. But amongst the orientals it was customary in the formation of adjectives to take the word BAR, a son, with another word indicating the adjective. In this manner, to point out a rustic, or inhabitant of the country, they termed him a son of the plain, son of the country, which is the proper signification of

330

MALTESE BIBLICAL CRITICISM.

barbarus, from barbarr, viz, a farmer or husbandman, &c. Hence is it that St. Luke, when he wished to indicate certain people rude and dwelling in fields, (the Maltese to wit, and their neighbours who inhabited the country and places near the sea, where there are shipwrecks in winter) terms them properly barbari or barbarians. And indeed, who beside could St. Paul find in the winter season in those dreary places except sons of the country -wild people who occupied those parts for the purpose of cultivation and pasture? Certainly they were not citizens of Medina (Medina an, ciently was a city of Malta, and this name it retains at present in the Maltese tongue, namely Mdina,) who succoured Paul after his shipwreck !—These things, amongst innumerable others, are sufficient to corroborate what we have said of the usefulness and antiquity of the Maltese tongue."

Saturday, 16th April.-Dined at the Palace. Lady Hastings communicated a very interesting account of the mode by which silkworms are cultivated in India, and which her ladyship (with that attention to every practicable scheme of utility which peculiarly

SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY.

331

marks her character,) has been endeavouring to introduce into Malta. She has also established a school of industry at St. Antonio for Maltese children, though I fear not as yet with that happy result which the importance of the object merits. Indeed nothing of moment was ever brought about instantaneously; and whatever may be done by perseverance and judg ment her ladyship's well-directed efforts will accomplish.

CHAPTER X.

SATURDAY, 23d April.-To-day the Marquis of Hastings held a levee; a dinner and ball followed. On Tuesday the Cambrian is to convey his lordship and family to Nice, on their way to England.

Monday, 25th April. The Marchioness was employed this morning in distributing prizes to the children of the Maltese school established under her ladyship's directions. A variety of articles fabricated by the industry of the English ladies resident in Malta were sold in support of it. The Hon. Mrs. Gardener and the members of her amiable family deserve an especial note of applause on this occasion; not only for the assiduity with which they laboured in providing articles for the sale, but also for their exertions in rendering it effective. A considerable number of dollars was thus raised in aid of this excellent charity.