https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19288 2026-04-05T01:22:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37545 Title: Book reviews Abstract: This document contains reviews of books published in the 1970s. 1976-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19361 Title: A question of compulsion Authors: Camilleri, J. J. Abstract: The nineteenth century marked a shift in education in Malta. The church schools started to expand their responsibilities as state schools started to increase. Debates arose as to whether education should be made compulsory or not, particularly during the second half of the century. This article looks at the reforms and changes which were made with the introduction of compulsory education in Malta. 1976-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19355 Title: The gold hoard of 1525 Authors: Wettinger, Godfrey Abstract: In the Middle Ages, an inhabitant of Malta could only make some riches either by marrying into a wealthy family or by a valuable prize brought in by the local corsairs. However, there was still a steady supply of treasure, mostly in the form of gold coins and medals hidden around the islands. Most of the gold had belonged to previous inhabitants who had been, or were about to be, invaded by an alien culture or religion. This article focuses on the search and investigation on the discovery of the hidden gold. 1976-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19335 Title: Le poesie "Maltesi" di Peire Vidal (1204-5) Authors: Brincat, Joseph M. (Giuseppe) Abstract: In the first years of the 13th century Malta hosted a Provencal troubadour who put the island on the cultural map of Europe almost as soon as Neo-Latin literature began to flourish. However the poems Peire Vidal composed here in 1204-5 have never been published locally. In this article Brincat presents them in their historic and literary perspective reproducing the text according to the recent critical edition of D. S. Avalle which supersedes the text and the interpretation of the previous editions. Since Avalle does not provide the poems with a literal translation, Brincat has brought up to date De Bartholomaeis' version by integrating it with Avalle's conclusions. The notes explain the historical details (political and amorous) but the reader is constantly reminded that the genre's style transcends documentary evidence. Moreover Vidal's vein is particularly tricky as he tends to exaggerate and boast in order to obtain the desired violently satiric effect. The linguistic notes aim at rendering the original text comprehensible to the reader who knows Italian. 1976-01-01T00:00:00Z