Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

RELICS OF ANCIENT SPLENDOR.

The New England Galaxy and Masonic Magazine, a paper published at Boston, and always rich in miscellaneous reading, is publishing some interesting original extracts from the Journal of a gentleman up the Mediterranean and Archipelago. From a late number of this paper, we copy from the Journal the following description of St. John's church at Malta. This church was founded in the 11th century, and is said to be one of the most magnificent in the world.

[Albany Gaz.

"Upon entering it, it appeared to me like one mass of gold; for the interior, which as well as the exterior, is of stone, was entirely gilt. The building seemed to be about 200 feet long, on each side of which are several arches, each of which may be considered as a church, as they all have altars. At the head of the church are two marble figures about 12 feet in height, one representing our Saviour, the other St. John baptizing him. The floors of the church, and the floors of the arches are composed of marble slabs, each slab containing the arms of a knight, with an appropriate inscription in Latin. These marbles are white, and the arms and inscriptions of various colored marble set into them. Each knight is interred under a separate marble. The chief altar has a sublime appearance. It is composed of the most beautiful lava, and highly ornamented. The keeper of the church led us to a vault in which three of the principal knights are interred. One of whom was La Valette, the founder of this city, whose name it bears.

"The full length figure of each is cut in marble, and set upon stone coffins. The riches of the church are immense. The doors, gates, candlesticks, (some of which are 12 feet in height) are of massy silver. When Bonaparte took possession of the Island, he robbed the church of two millions of dollars in silver and gold, which he put on board of two frigates. One of them was taken by the British. The inhabitants prevented further pillage by painting their silver works a wood color. The remains of Bonaparte's palace, which was about half finished when the British took possession of the Island, are still to be seen."

*1565 Solyman sent 30,000 men against the town of Malta, which was defended by 700 knights and 300 soldiers, under the command of the Grand Master, John de Valette, at the age of 71 years. When some of his friends saw that their brave commander was wounded, they entreated him to retire--but he replied, "at seventy-one can I finish my life more gloriously than by dying with my brethren!" After sustaining a severe siege, they were relieved by a force sent from Sicily, and the Turks were compelled to retire. Hence this town obtained the name of "Citta Vittoriosa," which it still retains.