https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40790 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:59:39 GMT 2026-04-06T14:59:39Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40978 Title: Grandmaster de Rohan's astronomical observatory (1783-1789) Abstract: Ventura writes about the astronomical observatory which existed in Malta during the late 18th century prior to its fiery destruction in 1789. The cause of its demise is either lightning or, to a more controversial extent, Dangos' (a French astronomer) experiments with phosphorous. The latter possibility was probably insinuated as a slight towards Dangos who, in the coming years, was suggested to have forged observations during his time working at the observatory. Plans to construct a new observatory in Malta were decreed by Napoleon yet, due to the brief nature of the French occupation, they never materialised. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40978 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40986 Title: The will of Francesco Zahra 1710-1773 Abstract: This article contains the will of Francesco Zahra written one year prior to his death. The painter, who lived from 1710 to 1773, had a predilection for the depiction of religious figures in art. From the property distributed to his five children, one estimates that Zahra was "well off" as stated by author Debono. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40986 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40977 Title: Two unknown writings by M.A. Vassalli Abstract: After Mikiel Anton Vassalli (1764-1829) was banished from Malta, his movements thereafter were shrouded in mystery as a result of a scarcity of documents pertaining to him. Cassar Pullicino's discovery of a number of letters (attached at the end) written by Vassalli himself aid the unveiling of his later stages in life. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40977 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40976 Title: The Malta Protestant College Abstract: This document contains in-depth research about the Protestant College in Malta which was situated in St. Julian's Bay until its closure in 1865. Mallia delves into the educational ambitions of the college, the diversity among students and the history of its headmasters among numerous other areas of the college's history. The author concludes by investigating the reason for the college's premature end and supposes that the scarcity of adequate Oriental students was the primary cause for its demise. Mon, 01 Jan 1990 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40976 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z